Catholic Charities Works to End Poverty

Too many Marylanders – 557,140 – currently live in poverty. This is 9.9% of the total state population and represents an in increase of 0.8% from 2009. Poverty is high in both urban and rural areas. Among all jurisdictions, Baltimore City had Maryland’s highest average poverty rate, 22% (between 2008 – 2010), leading the rest of the state by a wide margin. Other high poverty areas include Allegany, Wicomico, Garrett, and Somerset counties, all exceeding 14%.

Measuring Poverty

The federal government defines the poverty level as a yearly household income below $18,530 for a family of three, or below $22,350 for a family of four.

In Maryland, the government estimates that the Minimum Living Level income for a family is $25,344 per year.

In 2001, the state had an average SNAP (food stamp) program enrollment of 645,349, or about 70% of those eligible.

The maximum SNAP benefit plus the maximum Temporary Cash Assistance benefit equals 61% of the state’s Minimum Living Level, $15,459, meaning that families with children cannot survive on public assistance programs alone.

Housing

The housing wage represents the full-time hourly wage one would need to earn in order to pay what HUD estimates to be the fair market rent for an apartment, spending no more than 30% of income on housing costs. Maryland has the fourth most expensive housing wage in the nation - $24.76 for a two-bedroom apartment.

More than half of Maryland renters spend at least 30% of their income on rent.

Childcare

After housing, childcare is often the most significant expense facing Maryland families. Three-fourths of our children under 12 have mothers in the workforce, and the cost of childcare in most parts of Maryland can be $1,000 per month or more.

The cost of childcare for two children exceeds 20% of the median income in 22 Maryland counties and 30% of the median income in Baltimore City.

How we help

Catholic Charities provides a variety of programs throughout Maryland to assist people who are struggling to make ends meet and striving to work their way out of poverty. These programs assist low-income people and families with achieving self-sufficiency through a range of transitional housing services, meal programs, education, employment, and counseling services, and through referrals to other support services.

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Shelters and Meals

Our transitional shelters, day shelter, and hot meal program help our clients secure the necessities of life – food, clothing and shelter.

Anna’s House offers transitional and permanent housing for homeless women and their children in Harford County. 

EarnBenefits helps low-income individuals receive immediate assistance to meet their basic needs and to provide them with information and resources to put them on the path to economic security.

Holden Hall provides long-term housing, case management, and support services for fourteen formerly homeless, disabled men. 

My Sister’s Place Women’s Center, open from 7 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., is a day program for homeless women and their children that provides shower and laundry facilities, case management, life skills workshops, and three meals each day.

My Sister’s Place Lodge provides a home for formerly homeless women diagnosed with mental illness.

Our Daily Bread is Maryland’s hot meal program, serving nutritious meals every day of the year to the hungry of Baltimore City. 

Sarah’s House is a supportive housing program for homeless families in Anne Arundel County.

Employment Preparation

Assists individuals who are unemployed or underemployed to achieve and retain employment. Our Employment Services program prepares those with significant barriers to employment, such as lack of education and/or training, poor work history and social skills, substance abuse, and criminal background, to become independent of subsidized income, and ultimately independent of support services.

Christopher Place Employment Academy, an intensive 18-month residential program, provides education and training as well as emotional, spiritual, and addiction recovery support to formerly homeless men.

Family Stability Program (FSP) is a nationwide initiative, led by the Siemer Instutite for Family Stability and supported by United Way of Central Maryland. Families work one-on-one with a case manager who will assess your family's strengths, set and work on goals, and connect you to community resources. Provides six to nine months of intensive case management. Develop job search skills through one-one-one career counseling or attend Work 4 Success boot camp. Receive short-term financial assistance so your familly can remain housed and your children can succeed in school. Types of financial assistance are determined by each individual's family's needs.

Our Daily Bread Employment Services provide poor, homeless and disadvantaged persons with a graduated transition back into the workforce.

Senior Community Service Employment Program helps low-income individuals who are age 55 and older with their search for employment.

Project Fresh Start provides thirty-five families with safe and appropriate housing, while engaging children and parents in intensive, focused case management and support services.

Work 4 Success provides employment preparation and job readiness training.

Other Emergency Services

We provide direct financial assistance to Baltimore City residents to help with rent, utilities, and traveler’s assistance so they can begin the road to financial stability. 

The Samaritan Center provides direct financial assistance to help with rent, utilities, and traveler’s assistance so they can begin the road to financial stability.