Local parishes and their volunteers are the lifeblood of parish social ministry on Long Island. Most of the Diocese of Rockville Centre's 133 parishes provide services in some form to their communities. Across Long Island, the combined parish ministries comprise thousands of volunteers and serve as many as 145,000 people in need each year. Catholic Charities provides support and resources to local parish social ministry efforts on Long Island through a number of programs. 

Central Information and Referral Line (CIR)
By calling the Central Information and Referral line (CIR) at (516) 733-7045, someone in need can have a Catholic Charities staff person assess his or her needs, provide information about available assistance, and refer the caller to those services.

CIR staff can provide information about public benefits, as well as services through Catholic Charities programs, Catholic parishes, and other human services organizations. 

Parish Social Ministry Development
PSM Development provides training and resources to staff and volunteers in local parish social ministry offices to help their parishes develop and expand outreach and social justice efforts. PSM also facilitates communication between parishes by providing networking events and opportunities for their staff and volunteers. 

Disaster Relief
Recent disasters have also emphasized new needs, impacting thousands of Long Islanders of every age, background and income level. In the aftermath, PSM helps assess and address the complex needs of those affected. Additionally, PSM staff help local parishes to plan for future disasters via networking training.