Catholic Charities of West Tennessee

Catholic Charities is not just for the Catholic Community, it is hope and service from the Catholic Community. We have served our community’s most vulnerable for the past 50 years, regardless of religious beliefs, socio-economic status, or ethnic background. Our focus is meeting people where they are, and helping them to chart a path forward that ultimately leads to self-sufficiency. A key driver for all efforts at CCWTN is volunteerism and community engagement where over 1,000 volunteers serve regularly each year; individuals, families, local businesses, schools, and churches bring hope and dignity to front lines of poverty through CCWTN.

Catholic Charities of West Tennessee serves four different populations with its key programs.  
 
-Low-income households with stable housing who are experiencing food insecurity and other basic needs. Within this population, 26% are children and 19% are senior citizens 
 
-Low-income households experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless. Approximately 50% of this group are Veteran households and 50% single individuals 
 
-Chronically homeless individuals requiring daily assistance with basic needs 
 
-Low-income families with children seeking self-sufficiency programming. This includes financial literacy, job search and placement, and childhood literacy during school breaks  

Emergency Services provides food, clothing, and seasonal programs to low-income families and individuals across a 21-county service area, with approximately 75% of these services happening in the Memphis area. Over the last year, this program served just over 54,000 unduplicated individuals within low-income households, victims of natural disasters and emergencies, and the homeless/transient population through both mobile and on-site distribution.  
 
Housing Services provides assistance for persons experiencing homelessness, focusing on creating a successful path to permanent and stable housing. Over the last year, Catholic Charities ended homelessness for over 400 people, and is on track to exceed 500 in the coming year. Approximately 1 in 3 of people experiencing homelessness in the Greater Memphis area are served at Catholic Charities.  
 
Outreach Services meet the basic needs of Memphis' chronically homeless population. These services are designed to build trust, connect resources, and ultimately map a path to housing stability. Services include mobile street outreach, daily meals, clothing, access to restrooms, hand washing stations, and weekly community meetings over coffee at Catholic Charities. This program has grown by 300% since COVID-19 arrived 
 
Self Sufficiency Services include programs that empower families to thrive. These include Driving the Dream, of which CCWTN is one of five coordination hubs. This program provides intensive support for over 50 families each year. Families with school aged children benefit from Camp Love & learn as an affordable, academically-enriched summer camp option for low-income children. Due to COVID-19, the camp was re-tooled into a home-based learning model, serving over 140 families this past summer. CCWTN plans to expand the new model to include other school breaks during this unprecedented time.