Catholic Social Services commemorates
30 years of community service

Catholic Social Services commemorates 30 years of community service

 

Catholic Social Services of Laredo, Inc., recently marked its 30 years of service to the border community with an anniversary luncheon. The agency, a corporation of the Diocese of Laredo, currently serves Webb, Jim Hogg, and Zapata counties.
The anniversary luncheon honored the agency's founder, Msgr. Robert E. Freeman, as well as former Texas Secretary of State Henry Cuellar and Catholic Social Services executive director Roxanna B. Guerra. The honorees were recognized for their commitment to the elimination of domestic violence in South Texas. Judge Manuel Flores was the featured speaker at the luncheon, held at the Laredo Country Club.
Catholic Social Services of Laredo was established in 1972, originally a branch of Catholic Charities set up under the direction of Bishop Drury, then bishop of the Corpus Christi diocese, and administered by Msgr. Freeman.
Services provided by Catholic Social Services include:
o the Laredo Family Counseling Program;
o the Emergency Aid Program, which helps low-income or indigent families with immediate assistance;
o the Laredo Family Violence Program, which operates a shelter for battered women and children;
o the Pro-Personas Mayores Program, which aids persons age 55 or older to obtain job training and placement;
o the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which assists unemployed families with rent and utility assistance;
o the Immigration Program, which provides immigration services to low-income persons wishing to legalize their immigration status;
o the Adoption Program, a state-licensed child placement service;
o the Post-Adoption Program, which provides psychological evaluations and therapeutic counseling to adopted children and families;
o the U.S. Repatriate Program, which assists American citizens stranded in foreign countries;
o the Pre-Release Program, which assists womenprisoners in making the transition from prison life to mainstream society; and
o La Frontera Halfway House, operated by Catholic Social Services, which assists alcohol and drug-dependent clients, and shelters refugees feeling Central and South American countries who are awaiting disposition of their cases.
A complete range of specialized services is provided to the residents and clients of each program, including full shelter services, food, clothing, emergency transportation, medical assistance, legal advocacy, children's services, individual and group counseling, job search assistance, referrals to other community agencies, as well as additional services.
The agency can be reach at several numbers. For the main office and immigration and emergency assistance, call 722-2443. For the domestic violence and homeless shelter, call 722-7271. The crisis hotline is 727-7888.