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Our Stories
All across Maryland, change is happening. And it’s the reason we do what we do. We love hearing stories about how one of our volunteers made someone’s day or one of our programs changed someone’s life. Here are just a few of the countless stories of improved lives as a direct result of our committed employees, volunteers, and donors.

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Healing Trauma & Addiction
St. Vincent’s Villa
When Rev. Dr. Jalene Chase was 5 years old, she made a friend who often seemed sad. Eventually, the friend told Jalene a man in her household was hurting her. Jalene told her own mother, who tried unsuccessfully to intervene. When her friend was killed in an accident on her way home from school, Jalene believed the girl had ridden her bike into traffic.
Read Full StoryJonaya came to stay with us for respite care, just for a few months. Well, it’s been six and a half years.
— Jalene
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Stories

Achieving Independence
Sarah’s House
Andrew doesn’t want his children ever to experience the financial insecurity and homelessness that he has endured for more than half of his life. With parents who were unable to care for him, he was “in foster care at age four,” he said, “arrested at 19, and released with nowhere to go, bouncing back and forth from place to place, staying outside.” Always a hard worker, he was supporting himself and his girlfriend with a job at a restaurant at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport in 2020. Then the Covid pandemic hit, the world shut down, he lost his job, and…
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Aging with Dignity
St. Elizabeth’s Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Christine has always admired her caring and indomitable mother. Bertha Paul rose to a management position at Montgomery Ward’s, and then ran a daycare business out of her home. “My mother is a very loving person, and she threw everything she had into taking care of other people’s children after raising six of her own,” she said. So it was Christine’s husband who first noticed that the time had come for the caretaker to get some loving care of her own. When they built their house nearly 20 years ago, they made a place for Bertha there, so Bertha was…
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Supporting Children & Families
Carroll County Head Start
When their grandson, Oliver, was born, Susan and Marlin Felmey were there to help. “It’s so expensive to live in Carroll County, it’s hard to make ends meet,” they said. So their empty nest was full again. When Oliver was 18 months old, their daughter enrolled Oliver in Head Start, and “our only complaint is that it doesn’t go to 12th grade,” Marlin said. “We have loved every minute.” The Felmeys take every opportunity to be involved. Marlin sits on the program’s Policy Council and was recognized for his service as Carroll County Head Start Parent of the Year. It’s…
Read MoreAging with Dignity
Donnet Lawrence
Each year, Catholic Charities awards staff who have consistently embodied our Mission: Inspired by the Gospel mandates to love, serve and teach, Catholic Charities provides care and services to improve the lives of Marylanders in need.
Read MoreHealing Trauma & Addiction
Genese Hubbard
Each year, Catholic Charities awards staff who have consistently embodied our Mission: Inspired by the Gospel mandates to love, serve and teach, Catholic Charities provides care and services to improve the lives of Marylanders in need.
Read MoreSupporting Children & Families
Mike Dunphy
Each year, Catholic Charities awards staff who have consistently embodied our Mission: Inspired by the Gospel mandates to love, serve and teach, Catholic Charities provides care and services to improve the lives of Marylanders in need.
Read MoreAchieving Independence
Cory Fellows
Each year, Catholic Charities awards staff who have consistently embodied our Mission: Inspired by the Gospel mandates to love, serve and teach, Catholic Charities provides care and services to improve the lives of Marylanders in need.
Read MoreSupporting Children & Families
Lauren Porter
Each year, Catholic Charities awards staff who have consistently embodied our Mission: Inspired by the Gospel mandates to love, serve and teach, Catholic Charities provides care and services to improve the lives of Marylanders in need.
Read MoreSupporting Children & Families
Chentell McIntosh Gomez
Each year, Catholic Charities awards staff who have consistently embodied our Mission: Inspired by the Gospel mandates to love, serve and teach, Catholic Charities provides care and services to improve the lives of Marylanders in need.
Read MoreSupporting Children & Families
Ray Kelly
The Msgr. Arthur F. Valenzano Joyful Servant Award is given in memory of Monsignor Arthur F. Valenzano, Rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a member of Catholic Charities Board of Trustees until his passing in September of 2015.
Read MoreSupporting Children & Families
Daughters of Charity
The Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual or group that exemplifies or significantly supports compassionate caregiving and service; has a personal commitment to the work of Catholic Charities; and demonstrates the goal of cherishing the Divine within those we serve.
Read MoreAchieving Independence
Archbishop Spalding High School
The Anne Lindsey Otenasek Youth Service Award is given to high school students in recognition of outstanding volunteer service with Catholic Charities.
Read MoreSupporting Children & Families
Oblate Sisters of Providence
The Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual or group that exemplifies or significantly supports compassionate caregiving and service; has a personal commitment to the work of Catholic Charities; and demonstrates the goal of cherishing the Divine within those we serve.
Read MoreHealing Trauma & Addiction
Beauty in the shift: a recovering substance-user’s unexpected gifts
Catholic Charities provides a wide range of mental and behavioral health services for children and families including residential-, community- and school-based programs, resources and referrals. Our services include addiction counseling and treatment, including medication to assist with treatment. Telehealth is available when appropriate.
Read MoreWelcoming New Neighbors
Centro Esperanza
En 2012, Williams, de 16 años, fue solo uno de las decenas de miles de niños de América Central que cruzaron la frontera sur hacia los EE. UU. solos. Cuando fue detenido en Texas a su llegada, Williams ya había soportado un viaje aterrador y aún enfrentaba un futuro incierto. Al salir de El Salvador, simplemente había estado corriendo por su vida.
Read MoreGet Involved
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