Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach, Inc.

The Counseling Program provides professional counseling in eight locations in four counties to adults, children, families, couples and groups. Catholic Charities’ team of therapists address issues such as marital/relationship discord, child and family dynamics, depression, anxiety, divorce, and grief and loss.

Comprehensive guardianship and case management services are provided to those in need, emphasizing the concerns of the economically disadvantaged and those without adequate community support. This multi-dimensional program protects elderly individuals from victimization, exploitation, abuse and neglect. Individuals who are 65 years and older, residing in Palm Beach County and who are at risk physically, mentally, emotionally, financially and/or spiritually are eligible.

The Hunger, Homeless & Outreach Program provides emergency services that assist individuals and families to attain economic stability and self-sufficiency through the provision of support services and appropriate referrals when necessary. The intent of emergency services is to address the presenting crisis, while at the same time, assessing and identifying the circumstances that led to the need for these services. Emergency support services include provisions of food, transportation and when available, assistance with rent and utility payments for those facing short term situational crisis. Referrals are made to other Catholic Charities programs as well as other social service organizations within the community service area. The Hunger, Homeless & Outreach Program also administers the Catholic Charities Angel Food "SNAC” Program which provides nutritious weekend meals to over 300 children throughout the Diocese.

A multi-lingual, multi-cultural staff in three locations provides legal services to foreign-born individuals. The primary focus is to help with family reunification, re-entry permits, naturalization applications, labor and employment visas, fiancée visas and asylum applications.

Interfaith Health and Wellness is committed to the education of Registered Nurses who serve their congregations and communities by promoting holistic care of the body, mind and spirit. A Faith Community Nurse Basic Preparation course, offered annually in June, provides Registered Nurses the education and support to create health ministry programs in their respective congregations. Catholic Charities Wellness Nurses provide basic services and education to clients.

The purpose of this program is to help the newly arrived reach self-sufficiency as quickly as possible and assist them with social and economic adjustment to their new community. The program serves newly arrived refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian Entrants, as well as victims of Human Trafficking. All are foreign born clients seeking a better life away from oppression, violence, and lack of freedom. To be eligible for the program, refugees must be referred to the agency by the Department of State. The program also serves asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants and victims of Human Trafficking who are referred by other agencies, border patrols, and national and international organizations. Asylees and Cuban/Haitian entrants must be enrolled within 31 days of arrival, approval or certification.

This long-term transitional residential facility for homeless families in Indian River County features a structured step-based program with onsite case managers that help pregnant women and homeless families develop the life skills needed for successful reintegration into mainstream society.

The Office of Parish Social Ministry seeks to empower Catholics in the diocese to celebrate and realize the Gospel call to love our neighbor by offering opportunities for Catholic Social Teaching formation; establishing a support network for parish social ministries throughout the diocese; and by helping to organize public advocacy events and social action projects. The ministry also houses Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

Using Catholic volunteers, this ministry brings the word of God and the Sacraments of the Catholic Church to inmates incarcerated throughout the diocese. The ministry currently serves those imprisoned in state prisons, county jails and juvenile detention centers in five counties.

The Respect Life Ministry promotes life from natural conception until natural death through prayer, education, legislation and pastoral programs. It is concerned with the following issues: Abortion, Physician Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia, Death Penalty, End of Life, and Bioethics