Catholic Charities programs in Mahoning and nearby counties.
A wide variety of services and assistance programs are provided from Catholic Charities to the low income and working poor. The Diocese of Youngstown provides resources to several counties in the region, including those of Stark, Columbiana, Ashtabula, Trumbull, Portage, and Mahoning. The type of aid is wide ranging and can include food, housing counseling, referrals, and maybe even emergency financial assistance.
Domestic Violence Shelter Services are widely available in the region. The agency and local churches are involved in providing protective shelter and housing to women and children affected by domestic violence. This type of service has always been a top priority for Catholic Charities in Ohio and nationwide. In addition to the housing, a 24-hour crisis telephone line is maintained with cooperation from other local non-profit agencies and government organizations. Those who need a shelter can also receive community education and access to other social services. Catholic Charities also provides legal/victim advocacy and basic legal advice for women seeking protection orders.
Emergency assistance is the largest program in the Youngstown and Trumbull region and it is also in the highest demand. This particular assistance program combines both material and limited amounts of financial assistance with advocacy efforts for people in need. Some of the resources available are as follows.
- Clothing, which can include winter coats, items for Christmas, and related services.
- Emergency shelter for those who were evicted or are currently homeless.
- Domestic violence referrals for children and women.
- People with a serious medical condition may receive essential prescription medication and supplies.
- Food services, meals, and more are offered at churches and Catholic charity sponsored feeding sites around the region, including in Stark and Portage Ohio.
- Holiday and/or special event assistance, including free back to school supplies and gifts for children.
- Homeless outreach to locate permanent housing.
- Transportation to an appointment or maybe even gasoline vouchers for a job interview.
- Utility bill assistance, including funds to prevent a disconnection.
The Catholic Charity emergency assistance program is intended to provide help and hope in times of crisis. Social workers will try to meet the need of the families and children in cooperation with other social service agencies, food pantries and kitchens and churches.
Catholic Charities’ First Step Program is for pregnant women, newborns, and their families. It can assist to ensure that babies and children have the material items necessary to start their lives. This includes formula, clothing cribs, and similar items. In addition, First Step provides family support programming, quality pro-life pregnancy, professional case management, and other support services and advocacy for individuals facing pregnancy. It can also help families with children ages 0-3
- Housing counseling is offered for the family. It will provide limited short term financial assistance for rent or housing costs. Guidance is also offered in order help stabilize housing arrangements for at-risk individuals and families in Mahoning County and nearby areas.
- All Baby Resources will assist parents with diapers, free food, baby formula and other necessary items.
- Emergency Assistance is also offered as part of First Step. This provides many of the same benefits as the program referenced above, including medications, information on health care, clothing, and other funds for bills.
- Case Management is offered. Social workers from Catholic Charities work with clients to establish a plan for short-term economic security. They will work hand in hand on supporting and assisting them in the development of a long-range self-sufficiency plan, including jobs and other career advice.
- Parenting Skills Training is of course key. This focuses on the needs of single parents as well as couples to reinforce the value of encouragement, cooperation, responsibility, education, communication skills and discipline.
- Information and advocacy are offered by almost all Catholic Charity locations in Ohio. This links and refers individuals and families with other agency services, not for profit community resources and information.
HUD certified housing counseling is another Catholic Charity service. Specialists will assist clients with a broad range of concerns and challenges. Some of the typical housing counseling that clients request include current renters facing financial challenges; prospective renters seeking basic information about housing availability; first time homeowners who want to learn more about the home buying process. Support and free or low cost counseling is even offered for current homeowners who are facing the possibility of foreclosure.
The housing, mortgage, and rental counseling programs are offered in partnership with other agencies in Stark County. For example, other social service organizations involved in the process include Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County and also the Ohio Catholic Charities Regional Agency.
First time buyers can receive free program administration and down payment assistance, all of which are provided by Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities.
Additional support is from the Ohio Benefit Bank. The state of Ohio and Youngstown Catholic Charities Regional Agency have access to a computer database that helps low-income and working poor individuals and families access the public benefit programs for which they are eligible. Learn about everything that both the state and federal government offer.
How to apply for assistance from Catholic Charities in Youngstown area
The main Catholic charity centers to call in the region are below.
- 2401 Belmont Ave, Youngstown, Ohio dial (330) 744-3320
- 3112 Cleveland Ave NW Canton, OH 44709. Call (330) 491-0896 for intake.
- 175 Laird Ave NE, Warren, telephone number is (330) 393-4254.
- A center is at 115 E Washington St., Lisbon, Ohio. Call (330) 420-0845
- 206 W Main St Ravenna, OH 44266. Phone (330) 297-7745
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