We pray you are enjoying a beautiful Lenten season. We ask that during this season of hope and renewal, you will be able to remember the most vulnerable among us, in a special way.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet is facing an especially challenging year. Significant government funding cuts to emergency homeless shelters have left the future of Daybreak Center in jeopardy. These funding changes will require the Agency to secure an additional $500,000 annually to operate the Catholic Charities, Daybreak Shelter.

As we have prayed for guidance in this difficult situation, we have also prayed for an angel who would help provide the support needed to keep Daybreak Center’s doors open. By the grace of God, we were blessed with an angel who will match your donations – up to $50,000. Will you join our angel to help the homeless and others who live in poverty who are served by Catholic Charities?

With your support, Catholic Charities can continue to serve our poor and vulnerable neighbors, including:

* Patricia, 57 years-old, is staying at Daybreak Center while she waits on a list for permanent housing. She struggles with both mental and physical health challenges, but her faith in God is strong and she is eager to work hard on her path to self-sufficiency.

* Luke, 58 years-old, is a chronically homeless man who is well-known in downtown Joliet for his kind words and warm smile. After a decade of unemployment, he recently secured a full-time job with the help of Catholic Charities and is now preparing to move into an apartment.

* Aaron and his teenage son are homeless and staying at Daybreak Center. The father recently gained custody of his son, who hadn’t been attending school while in the care of his mother. The two became homeless when Aaron was injured and had to take a medical leave from work. This dedicated father has recently started a higher-paying job, enrolled his son in high school, and is determined to find housing quickly.

These are just a few of the individuals and families that your donation will help on the path to a better life. Every day, we meet individuals who are experiencing poverty, but are motivated to create a brighter future through hard work. The resources provided by Catholic Charities, including those at Daybreak Center, are vital to the well-being of our clients and to the entire community.