LAKE CHARLES -- Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) recently announced the award of a long-term disaster recovery grant of $137,500to Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana. The grant was made possible due to the generosity of individuals and families from local parishes across the country who contributed to the second collection offered by The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
The funding will provide Catholic Charitiesof Southwest Louisiana the opportunity to continue to meet the needs of survivors of the March and August 2016 flooding. Numerous homes were damaged, to such severity that some families remain displaced today, with more than 200 homes in need of repair, and many homeowners with little to no insurance to cover the costs. The primary activity of this grant is to assist families still recovering from the floods in securing short-term housing and home repair. Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana is using the funds to target seniors, persons with disabilities, families with children under 18 who are living in poverty.
Since 1980, Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana has provided social services and emergency aid to those who need help across five civil parishes. The agency’s mission is to empower people and respond to the basic needs of Southwest, Louisiana. Catholic Charities Southwest Louisiana administers one of the leading rental assistance programs in the City of Lake Charles.
Catholic Charities USA is the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, committed to providing financial support to local Catholic Charities agencies in their effort to provide response and recovery assistance in the wake of natural disasters in the United States and its territories, through compassionate care and financial stewardship. The funds awarded are utilized to assist vulnerable populations impacted by a disaster, regardless of faith tradition, to have their immediate needs met, preserve their human dignity, and recover from the impact of the disaster.
CCUSA provides national reach through local presence, helping to ensure that the United States Catholic community is at the forefront of contributing to meet the disaster-related needs of survivors. If you would like to support the organization disaster work, please contact Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, 1225 Second Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601 or call 337-439-7436.
