CCDOT joins national campaign to promote agency’s ‘mighty source for good’

July 9, 2024 at 4:27 p.m.
Nataliia and her daughter visit the food pantry in Ocean County each week, where she can fill a cart with staples like beans and cereal as well as meat, fish, fresh bread, fruits and vegetables. Courtesy photo
Nataliia and her daughter visit the food pantry in Ocean County each week, where she can fill a cart with staples like beans and cereal as well as meat, fish, fresh bread, fruits and vegetables. Courtesy photo

By EMMALEE ITALIA
Contributing Editor

As Catholic Charities USA begins its national media campaign “We Are There,” Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton’s executive director Marlene Laó-Collins explained why raising awareness about the agency is so important.

“This campaign is an effort to raise awareness about the life-changing, inspiring work done by Catholic Charities agencies in local communities all around the country,” said Laó-Collins. “Wherever people are vulnerable and in need, Catholic Charities is there to offer comfort, relief and hope.”

Joining the entire Catholic Charities network nationwide, CCDOT will plan over the next several months to highlight its programs, services and metrics through social media posts and advertisements.


Jean works as a Mental Health Peer Advocate for one of the CCDOT community treatment teams. She first came to CCDOT in 2016 for behavioral health services. . Courtesy photo

“In a year, CCDOT serves more than 110,000 individuals who need assistance or are struggling,” said Laó-Collins. “We belong to a network of 168 independent agencies under the Catholic Charities umbrella. When you consider the combined impact of all of us working to serve vulnerable populations across the country, it is nothing short of astounding. Together, we are a mighty force for good and we are proud to be a part of this campaign.”

Collectively, the Catholic Charities network served more than 15 million people in 2023 and provided more than 30 million meals to those in need. Staff of Catholic Charities agencies are aided in this work by the contributions of more than 215,000 volunteers nationwide.

“We certainly hope the campaign will let someone needing assistance know that they can come to us for help,” Laó-Collins noted. “We also hope it will inspire people in a position to help to make a donation. This powerful message being shared across the country demonstrates that we are there. We’ve been doing this work for a long time. We hope people see supporting their local Catholic Charities agency is a very effective way to assist their neighbors who are in need.”

Since 1913, CCDOT has brought comfort, hope and relief to neighbors in need across central New Jersey. CCDOT’s research has shown that many are unaware of the scope of services offered by the agency, and that “we serve people in need, regardless of their faith or background,” she continued. “The programs we provide are tailored to meet the specific needs of the community. So, even across the Diocese, we see the differences in what’s needed. We know where people need housing. We know the neighborhoods where families are food insecure and need help getting food. We hope the public recognizes how integral we are to the survival of the vulnerable among us and supports our mission to lift them.”

To learn more about the We Are There campaign, visit WeAreThere.US. To learn how to volunteer or donate to CCDOT, visit https://www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/.  If you or someone you know needs services, contact the Access Center at 800-360-7711.


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As Catholic Charities USA begins its national media campaign “We Are There,” Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton’s executive director Marlene Laó-Collins explained why raising awareness about the agency is so important.

“This campaign is an effort to raise awareness about the life-changing, inspiring work done by Catholic Charities agencies in local communities all around the country,” said Laó-Collins. “Wherever people are vulnerable and in need, Catholic Charities is there to offer comfort, relief and hope.”

Joining the entire Catholic Charities network nationwide, CCDOT will plan over the next several months to highlight its programs, services and metrics through social media posts and advertisements.


Jean works as a Mental Health Peer Advocate for one of the CCDOT community treatment teams. She first came to CCDOT in 2016 for behavioral health services. . Courtesy photo

“In a year, CCDOT serves more than 110,000 individuals who need assistance or are struggling,” said Laó-Collins. “We belong to a network of 168 independent agencies under the Catholic Charities umbrella. When you consider the combined impact of all of us working to serve vulnerable populations across the country, it is nothing short of astounding. Together, we are a mighty force for good and we are proud to be a part of this campaign.”

Collectively, the Catholic Charities network served more than 15 million people in 2023 and provided more than 30 million meals to those in need. Staff of Catholic Charities agencies are aided in this work by the contributions of more than 215,000 volunteers nationwide.

“We certainly hope the campaign will let someone needing assistance know that they can come to us for help,” Laó-Collins noted. “We also hope it will inspire people in a position to help to make a donation. This powerful message being shared across the country demonstrates that we are there. We’ve been doing this work for a long time. We hope people see supporting their local Catholic Charities agency is a very effective way to assist their neighbors who are in need.”

Since 1913, CCDOT has brought comfort, hope and relief to neighbors in need across central New Jersey. CCDOT’s research has shown that many are unaware of the scope of services offered by the agency, and that “we serve people in need, regardless of their faith or background,” she continued. “The programs we provide are tailored to meet the specific needs of the community. So, even across the Diocese, we see the differences in what’s needed. We know where people need housing. We know the neighborhoods where families are food insecure and need help getting food. We hope the public recognizes how integral we are to the survival of the vulnerable among us and supports our mission to lift them.”

To learn more about the We Are There campaign, visit WeAreThere.US. To learn how to volunteer or donate to CCDOT, visit https://www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/.  If you or someone you know needs services, contact the Access Center at 800-360-7711.

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

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