“The basic rule of a crisis is that you don’t come out of it the same. If you get through it, you come out better or worse, but never the same” (Francis and Ivereigh, 2020, p.1).[1] As Catholic Charities navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the wildfires, and the economic and housing crises at our…

The COVID-19 pandemic and housing crisis in Oregon have created acute uncertainty, especially for those who are vulnerable to houselessness. Our dedicated housing entity, Caritas Housing, is taking steps to keep its residents comforted and sheltered.

Through two major crises this year, the COVID-19 pandemic and Oregon wildfires, our resident services coordinators (RSCs) have served as our residents’ lifelines to critical resources like food, hygiene supplies, and information. Perhaps more profoundly, however, our staff has helped residents—many of whom live alone and depend on their housing communities—maintain the essential human connection…

In a region that has already experienced increasingly high rates of homelessness and instability over the last ten years, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to impact our community for years to come. Catholic Charities’ Chief Program Officer, Rose Bak, illustrates the urgent need for more systemic supports for those experiencing, or who are vulnerable…

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oregon’s devastating September wildfires took lives, homes, and acres of land. Whole communities were destroyed. People’s entire livelihoods are gone, their futures uncertain. Alongside local and national partners, Catholic Charities has been supporting disaster relief efforts in Medford, Phoenix, and Talent.

(VIDEO) Amid an already stressful year, thousands of Oregonians—many from immigrant communities—suffered trauma and devastation unlike many of us will see in our lifetimes. 

There are many misconceptions about hunger, homeless, and the people who suffer from them. We’re debunking some of those myths during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

This Veterans Day we are proud to partner with Carleton Hart Architecture to share the story of a veteran who is a resident of Caritas Housing, our dedicated housing entity for those in need of homes. We thank Dennis and all veterans for their service.

In the wake of the fear and grief our community and the world have suffered this year, we gathered to reflect on the memories of those we’ve lost and the ways they taught us to live with hearts full of love and hope.

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 20, 2020 – Catholic Charities of Oregon has completed renovations in three apartment complexes under its dedicated housing entity, Caritas Housing Initiatives, that preserves 102 units of rental housing serving low-income and elderly rural residents. The renovations were completed in Hillside Village in Glendale, Ore., and Valerie Hills Apartments and Woodville Village…

Cynthia Molina, MSW, QMHP, CSWA, and Assistant Director of Emergency and Navigation Services, talks about coming together to keep faith and hope alive in the face of disaster after visiting Medford, OR, to provide legal clinics, hygiene items, and other essential supplies to the individuals and families devastated by the recent wildfires.

John Herrera, Catholic Charities’ Director of Immigration Legal Services, talks about hope in the midst of loss after visiting Medford, OR, to offer legal clinics and distribute hygiene items and other essential supplies to the individuals and families devastated by the recent wildfires.