Hurricane Katrina Response

Catholic Charities of the Dicoese of Youngstown reports that as of December 2006 over $480,955 has been collected locally for recovery efforts in response to hurricanse Katrina and Rita.  In addition, volunteers from across the diocese and 23 parishes, the Walsh University Community and other local churches have sent 17 teams of volunteers to Operations Helping Hands and the New Orleans Jesuit Outreach Ministries. 

Currently, volunteers who have rebuilding skills are needed to travel to New Orleans to assist in the rebuilding process.  It is estimated that there are 900 houses in New Orleans that are repairable and sit unused as homewoners await materials and skilled re-builders.  Therefore, Catholic Charities has committedd to providing enough skilled volunteers to rebuild at least two families' houses before Labor Day of this year. 

For more information contact: Father Edward Brienz, New Orleans Disaster Liaison at 330-205-8632 or ebrienz@youngstowndiocese.org.

You can also download a copy of the Hurricane Disaster Update(pdf) here.

Congratulations to our Volunteers

On July 29, 2009 Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Youngstown was presented with a congressional certificate "in recognition of their outstanding and invaluable service to the community through their diligent volunteer efforts to rebuild and renovate homes in New Orleans during the four years since Hurricane Katrina."