Catholic Charities

MODESTO -- Jeanne Green lost just about everything when her house burned down. She's now a senior assistant. "Anytime I needed them, Catholic Charities assisted (with) transportation," said Green, pictured at right with transportation and volunteer coordinator, Sandy Lynn Ewen.

"I just call and they would pick me up and take me where I needed to go and bring me back." The program also brought Green food when she started to run out.

"I tell you its a wonderful wonderful program, and they're so careful with you, they're careful about everything they do," she said. "They're not just polite, they're friendly. They make you feel comfortable, they encourage you."

Catholic Charities provides assistance to people in Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Alpine and Mono counties, without regard to race or religion. Most Stanislaus services are targeted to the elderly.

Address: 400 12th St., Suite 4, Modesto 95354

Phone number: (209) 529-3784

Web site: www.ccstockton.org

Services provided:

• Homemaker: Two-hour visits, twice a month for light housekeeping, meal preparation, etc.

• Assisted Transportation: Rides from home to medical appointments, grocery shopping and for other errands.

• Long Term Care Ombudsman: Resolves problems for residents of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.

• Stanislaus Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance: Provides training on elder abuse and prevention strategies; connects victims with prevention services.

• Utility assistance.

• CalFresh & Snap Ed: Food stamp application assistance and nutrition education.

• Immigration: Assists legal residents with path to citizenship.

• Family counseling.

How many individuals and/or families do you assist per month?

500 per month in Stanislaus County; 70,000 per year agencywide.

How could a $10 donation be used to help your clients?

1. Toward an hour of homemaker service for a frail elderly client.

2. Toward purchase of fuel for an assisted-transportation van for seniors.

3. Toward one month electric, natural gas, water or sewer bill.

$25 donation:

1. Toward an electric, natural gas, water or sewer bill.

2. Oil change in transportation van.

3. Materials to train a new long-term care ombudsman.

$50 donation:

1. One month of water and sewer service for a single-family household.

2. Toward mileage reimbursement to homemakers, volunteer drivers or ombudsman volunteers.

3. Toward three GPS units for senior assisted transportation vans.

$100 donation:

1. Toward supplies used in an elder abuse prevention event.

2. Toward insurance or tires for senior assisted transportation van.

3. One month of electricity service in small home.

Do you need volunteers? Yes, especially in the Assisted Transportation and Ombudsman Programs. Please call (209) 529-3784.

Anything else we should know?

Catholic Charities assists people through staff and volunteers working from three offices in Stockton, Modesto and Sonora. Homemaker and Assisted Transportation Programs are targeted to residents 60 and older, and aim to help people safely maintain independence in their home for as long as possible. The services have no set fees, though client donations are always welcomed.

When it becomes necessary or desirable to relocate to an assisted living or skilled nursing facility, the Ombudsman Program works to assure a safe and dignified life for residents of licensed facilities.

Partnering is an essential component of virtually every service we provide. For example, the Utility Assistance Program involves an active network of agencies that includes St. Vincent de Paul Societies, Family Resource Centers, Red Cross, Interfaith Ministries, county agencies, other nonprofit organizations and utility companies/districts. Catholic Charities is a United Way member agency.