As Thanksgiving food donations roll in this week, expressions of gratitude are following close behind at Catholic Charities of Long Island.
In some cases, clients are doubly blessed this year, as they now enjoy a safe, comfortable place to call home.
Louidore, who resides at Thea Bowman Residence in Amityville, welcomed Tom from AMVETS Post 88 in Massapequa, who brought along donated turkeys.
Louidore, an amputee, had struggled to navigate the stairs to a basement apartment before he moved into Thea Bowman, which offers independent living for people with physical disabilities.
Thanks to the generosity of AMVETS Post 88 and the turkeys they donated, this dad says he can now make a Thanksgiving feast for his 12-year-old son!
Thea Bowman Residence is named for an African American Catholic religious sister who was well known for her infectious joy in spreading the Gospel. Sister Thea died in 1990, and her cause for sainthood was opened in 2018.
A mom and her five children, who had been living together in a shelter, recently found permanent housing thanks to Project Independence. Employees who assisted them are happy that they were able to bring them home before the holiday season began.
Linda, their housing case manager, has worked ceaselessly to get them settled in their new home. She journeys with her clients, as our managers all do, to provide for their basic needs and to advocate and support them as efficiently and compassionately as possible.
The family is one of approximately 60 households and 132 clients assisted by three CCLI programs: Project Independence, the largest; Project Veterans’ Independence; and Special Needs Housing. Clients of Project Independence and Project Veterans’ Independence live in rented apartments and houses across Long Island. Special Needs Housing clients live in apartments owned by the agency.
The Thanksgiving shopping was completed for all this week, thanks to a HUD grant. An in-house food pantry, relying on donations, provides additional goods. The bounty will be delivered by housing case managers in time to make the special meal an occasion to remember.
If you would like to give a meal to a Long Island neighbor in need, please share your gift here.