Dignity in Bloom - Helen's Story

April 25, 2024

Together we can plant enough love to create a garden of belonging in our community.

During the pandemic, Helen, like so many people, became isolated and overwhelmed as her world grew smaller. She was having difficulty accessing community resources to care for her health and basic needs while suffering from mental health issues and chronic pain.


In 2022, Catholic Charities hired Ellen who began working with Helen through Catholic Charities Supportive Living Services (SLS) In-Home program. Since then, Ellen has supported Helen in establishing care with medical providers, making appointments, managing her documents and even organizing her apartment. Decluttering her home helped reduce Helen’s stress and allowed her to donate some of her items to organizations supporting veterans and domestic abuse survivors.


Like Helen and Ellen, you have the power to plant seeds of love today so that tomorrow they can bloom into a better future. Donate to Catholic Charities today and help us continue to provide critical support to the people who need it most in our community.


During their time working together, Ellen provided support to Helen in accessing community resources and being active in her community. Helen struggled the most with accessing crowded settings like stores and interacting with men due to her anxiety and PTSD.


Ellen accompanied Helen when shopping and worked through strategies to navigate crowds and handle unexpected situations. Ellen encouraged Helen to face her fears and practice initiating communications with others in social settings. With Ellen’s steadfast support, Helen became more comfortable going out in the community. Now, Helen can ask for assistance from employees in stores and even access the community independently using Dial-A-Ride and communicating with her male drivers.


Helen joined the YMCA and plans to take Dial-A-Ride to work out independently at the YMCA. For Helen, accomplishing this will help her feel more independent and have a sense of belonging in her community. Through the support Helen has received from SLS In-Home program, she has begun to realize new possibilities and gain more independence in her life.


Everyone deserves to feel like they belong. Your financial gift is a way to say you support the mission of Catholic Charities. Donate to support people like Helen. Donate to help us cultivate the soil of our community, to plant love that will bloom into a garden of belonging for all of us.



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Our Recent News

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By Brittany Hoversten • June 16, 2026
At Catholic Charities, we are blessed to witness moments that reveal the true spirit of community. During a recent visit to our St. Cloud Senior Dining program, our team saw one of those moments firsthand. Grandpa Ray and his grandson, Noah, were preparing to deliver meals—a routine that has become a treasured family tradition. Ray often brings all three of his grandsons, turning service into something that strengthens their bond while uplifting others. Our Senior Dining Coordinator, Kim, shared that Ray and his grandkids have become a bright spot for many of the neighbors we serve. For those receiving meals, it’s not just about nutrition. It’s the warmth of a familiar smile, the energy of young people at the door, and the reminder that they are seen and cared for. This simple act of delivering meals shows the power of serving together—building community, connection, and hope one doorstep at a time. We depend on volunteers like Ray—and like you—to bring compassion to our neighbors. If you feel called to serve, explore our volunteer opportunities, including meal delivery and family volunteering. Your kindness could be the moment someone looks forward to each day. Make an impact and volunteer with us!

Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month: Spotlight on Jennifer Lieser Eschmann, MSW, LGSW

By Brittany Hoversten • May 26, 2026
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By Brittany Hoversten • May 26, 2026
Every July, something powerful happens across Minnesota. Communities come together, neighbors support neighbors, and food shelves receive a boost exactly when they need it most. This year, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud is once again proud to join the 17th Annual Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge—a statewide effort to strengthen food access during the summer months, when demand on food shelves rises. When school lets out for the summer, thousands of Minnesota children lose access to reliable meals. At the same time, donations to food shelves typically drop. This creates a seasonal gap that leaves many families struggling to put food on the table. The Summer Challenge helps bridge that gap. Through this initiative, participating food shelves—including Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf—receive a proportional matching grant based on the funds raised throughout July. That means every gift made this month goes even further, helping us serve more families across Central Minnesota. Last year, Minnesota food shelves reported more than 9 million visits, the highest number ever recorded. Rising food costs and ongoing economic instability continue to push families toward emergency food support at unprecedented levels. As one of the largest providers of emergency food assistance in Central Minnesota, Catholic Charities sees this need every day. In 2025 alone, 83 food shelves across the state participated in the Summer Challenge, raising $2.4 million to keep shelves stocked. Grants awarded ranged from $150 to $4,000, depending on each organization’s fundraising totals. This year’s theme—Kicking Hunger Together—aligns with the excitement of the World Cup, reminding us that teamwork, unity, and community spirit can make a real difference. Local Impact: How Your Support Helps Here in Central Minnesota, Catholic Charities Food Shelf continues to experience record demand. Participation in the Summer Challenge strengthens our ability to meet this need and ensures families have reliable access to nutritious food all summer long. Every donation helps us: - Keep shelves stocked with healthy, essential foods - Support families facing unexpected hardship - Ensure children have access to meals during summer break - Respond quickly to rising demand in our community Throughout July, your support has double the impact thanks to the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge. Whether you give online, host a food drive, or help spread the word, you’re part of a statewide team working to ensure no Minnesotan goes hungry. Make a gift now at https://wgv.to/catholic-charities-of-the-diocese-of-st-cloud