How Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Evansville helps families in southwestern Indiana
Catholic Charities Diocese of Evansville is a social service agency that helps people across southwestern Indiana - meaning they provide help in multiple counties. The charity can help people handle a financial emergency, work toward steadier footing, and get professional counseling or immigration legal help. It serves everyone regardless of background, and you do not need to be Catholic to receive help.
This page explains what each program offers and how to reach it. Most services start with a phone call to (812) 423-5456, since the office does not take walk-ins for its programs.
- NOTE - REGIONAL FOCUS: Catholic Charities has served the twelve counties of the Diocese of Evansville since 1937, working with individuals and families facing economic, family, or personal stress. It is funded in part by the United Way of Southwestern Indiana, and its services are provided by licensed professionals at low or no cost. All clients are welcome regardless of age, income, nationality, religion, or race.
Emergency help with rent and utility bills
If you are behind on rent or facing a utility shutoff, Catholic Charities may provide emergency financial assistance to help you stay in your home and keep your utilities connected. The rent help is meant for households whose rent is past due or under threat of eviction, and the utility help is for accounts that already have a disconnect notice or a payment plan in place. This is emergency aid rather than ongoing support, so a household may receive it once within a 12-month period.
Funds are limited and appointments fill quickly. They are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and you must call ahead to set one up, since walk-ins are not accepted. When you reach the office at (812) 423-5456, ask the outreach staff what documentation to bring so your appointment goes smoothly.
Neighbor to Neighbor: building skills and earning help toward a bill
Neighbor to Neighbor is a structured life-skills program for people who want to move toward greater stability, not just cover one emergency. It is a faith-based course that focuses on setting goals, building practical life skills, and learning to manage money. Participants who complete it earn a voucher that may be applied toward rent, a utility bill, or another approved expense.
The program is a great fit for someone who is working or actively looking for work and is willing to commit to the full set of classes. If that describes your situation, it is worth asking about when you call, since it combines real help on a bill with tools you keep afterward.
Gas cards for a child's out-of-area medical care
Families raising a child who has to travel outside the Evansville area for a doctor's appointment or medical procedure may qualify for help with fuel. Through its Medical Travel program, Catholic Charities may provide a limited number of gas gift cards during a calendar year for a child under 18, as long as you can show documentation of the appointments. If your family is making repeated trips for a child's care, this is worth keeping in mind when you contact the office. And if looking for additional programs that may provide gas, see the NHPB page that covers where to get a free gas voucher or gas card when you cannot afford fuel.
Work boots to remove a barrier to a new job
Starting a job sometimes requires gear a person cannot yet afford, and a pair of required work boots is a common example. The Boots 4 Work program may provide a voucher to buy work boots that are needed to begin employment. You need to contact Catholic Charities before your start date, and staff will coordinate with you and the prospective employer to confirm you qualify.
Low-cost counseling with licensed therapists
Catholic Charities runs a counseling program that many people do not realize is there, and it may be especially useful if you are uninsured or your plan does not cover mental health care. Fees are set on a sliding scale based on your income and household size, which keeps sessions affordable compared with typical private rates. You do not need to be Catholic, and people of all backgrounds are welcome.
The counselors are licensed clinicians, each holding a master's degree in social work and a state license, and they may help with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship struggles, and major life transitions, among other concerns. They offer individual, couples, and child and family counseling, and they use established approaches such as CBT, EMDR, and Gottman Method couples therapy. Sessions are available in person in Evansville, Jasper, and Washington, and also by teletherapy if getting to an office is difficult. Call (812) 423-5456 to speak with a counselor and set up an appointment.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about suicide, you do not have to wait for an appointment. You may call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any time for free, confidential support, or dial 911 in an emergency.
Immigration legal help
For immigrants and refugees, Catholic Charities offers low-cost legal help with several common types of cases, including family petitions, naturalization and citizenship, permanent residency, and DACA renewals and replacements. The service is available in English and Spanish. It does not handle business or employment immigration, appeals, or cases involving a criminal record.
Appointments are required and walk-ins are not accepted. A modest consultation fee applies to most cases, though it may be waived for crime-victim cases or for people who provide proof of low income. Call the main number to ask how to begin and who to speak with.
Support for birth parents
Catholic Charities also offers information and support for birth parents who are facing a pregnancy and weighing their options. If this applies to you or someone you are helping, the staff can explain what support is available and connect you with the right person.
How to reach Catholic Charities Diocese of Evansville
The main office is at 2111 Stringtown Road, Evansville, IN 47711, and the phone number for all programs is (812) 423-5456. The agency does not take walk-ins, so calling first is the right way to start with any program above. Keep in mind that some services, such as counseling, are offered in more than one community, while others may be focused on the Evansville and Vanderburgh County area, so it is worth confirming what is available where you live.
You can also learn more at https://www.ccevansville.org/. This page is meant to help you understand what Catholic Charities offers and how to take the first step, and the agency's own staff can confirm current details and eligibility before you visit.
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