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Catholic Charities' 2020 Caritas Samaritans
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson Food Pantries - Staff, Volunteers and Donors: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson’s 3 Food Pantries – Fr. English, Paterson; Hope House, Dover and Partnership for Social Services, Franklin have given out over 1,000,000 lbs of food since the start of the pandemic. Staff have gone above and beyond to feed the hungry, volunteers have given their time bravely, and donors have allowed our pantries to persevere forward.
Dr. Hayman Rambaran: Straight and Narrow is the largest nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment center in the entire country, helping over 1,000 people in recovery each day. Within a 6-month period, Straight and Narrow has endured a devastating fire and global pandemic, while continuing to support those coping with the crisis of addiction. Dr. Rambaran is the Medical Director at Straight and Narrow. Under his guidance, the Medical Team ensured that staff and clients were equipped with PPE, secured testing kits and worked closely with our laboratory to ensure the proper testing was being conducted. His leadership and foresight has saved lived.
Kelly O’Caiside: Kelly is one of DPD’s healthcare heroes showing up to work every day at Giuliano House, a group home for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Kelly has worked day and night, long hours, to support individuals in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. She even worked in our offsite quarantine hospital for COVID positive individuals to support the people she loves so dearly.
The Sa
lesian Sisters: The Salesian Sisters commit themselves to a community lifestyle which is poor, simple, welcoming, and in the spirit of charity. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Salesian Sisters throughout the Diocese of Paterson have made masks for medical professionals and first responders throughout New Jersey. In addition, the community of sisters has dedicated themselves to hours of daily Eucharistic Adoration in response to Pope Francis’ invitation to pray from home.
Backpacks for Life: Catholic Charities gives back to hundreds of Veterans
throughout New Jersey each day, working collaboratively with partner organizations throughout the state. Led by President, Brett D’Alessandro and Executive Director Alexa Modero Backpacks for life provides unique and personalized support to our homeless and at-risk veterans who are struggling to reintegrate back into civilian life. Throughout COVID-19, Backpacks for Life has been distributing thousands of PPE to Veterans in need and have produced surgical masks for first responders, frontline workers and those protecting our communities in New Jersey.
Diane M
adsen: Diane is the Director of DPD’s Gruenert Center Special Needs day program supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for the past three years.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the center was ordered closed by the State of New Jersey. Diane immediately volunteered to help out by grocery shopping for all of DPD’s 12 residential programs throughout three counties. This was her way of ensuring the program staff were not out in the community risking exposure to COVID-19 while working in the residences. Diane has worked long hours, driving many miles and filling countless shopping carts with needed items for the homes.
Bishop Kevin Sweeney with Dr. Hayman Rambaran and the Straight and Narrow Operations Department
Straight and Narrow Operations Department: Under the leadership and direction of Mike Rettagliata, the operations staff worked diligently, day in and day out, to assure that service recipients and staff were safe. Mike and the Operations Department worked alongside program directors to ensure all staff had proper PPE, hand sanitizer and related materials to promote a healthy and safe workplace.
The New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund: The NJ Pandemic Relief Fund have
supported all 3 of Catholic Charities agencies during the pandemic, with grants buy food, support our Unmet Needs Fund, purchase PPE and assist with increased COVID-19 related costs. During their first wave of funding the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund granted $3.2M in awards to recipients across all 21 counties of New Jersey. They have helped hundreds of charities, and hundreds of thousands of individuals in need during this challenging time.
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