Catholic Charities Indianapolis Inc

Holy Family Shelter, an emergency shelter for homeless families, addresses the increasing demand for emergency shelter in Indianapolis and central Indiana by providing residential services designed to move homeless families to permanent housing and self-sufficiency. The emergency shelter provides a secure and supportive environment where families and their children in crisis receive essential resources, including food, shelter, and basic necessities, to begin their journey toward stability and healing. The cornerstone of the services is case management, through which comprehensive support assists families in setting goals and priorities, and in developing life skills such as budgeting, communication, parenting, stress management, and more as they begin their journey to permanent housing. As part of the shelter's services, assistance in the form of sustaining, support, and diversion is offered to homeless families who are unable to enter the shelter system due to a severe lack of emergency shelter space for families in Indianapolis. Additionally, these supportive services are offered to families who move into new housing from the emergency shelter but face complex challenges and persistent issues that can quickly lead to returning to homelessness if not supported. The combination of housing and comprehensive case management has proven to be an effective and cost-efficient way to help homeless families maintain permanent housing while living a more stable, productive life. It is the goal of Holy Family Shelter that all families attain permanent housing as quickly as possible (Housing First) and are then able to sustain and retain stability, self-sufficiency, and long-term permanent housing, avoiding a return to homelessness. Between January 1, 2025, and November 11, 2025, Holy Family Shelter served 158 families (588 individuals), including 206 adults and 382 children. In addition, 1,141 volunteers contributed their time and compassion to support families on their path toward stability and independence.

School Social Work: Since 1967, the School Social Work Program has been providing counseling, consultation and referral services, crisis intervention, and classroom preventive education programs to students in parochial schools in the Indianapolis Metropolitan area. Schools purchase the services of the program from one to four days per week. Program staff takes a strengths-based approach to their work with students and families. While acknowledging obstacles and deficits, the school social worker helps students identify and build upon strengths to successfully achieve goals. The school social worker is seen as part of a team, working with school staff, parents or guardians, and students to promote academic success, emotional well-being, and positive personal relationships. Currently, the program serves 22 Catholic schools (1 high school and 21 grade schools). During the 2024-25 fiscal year, 3738 students received services through the program. Services included individual and group counseling, parent meetings, goal setting and progress monitoring, CPS reporting, and community mental health referrals. 402 middle school students developed skills that help them enhance their self-esteem, develop problem-solving abilities, reduce stress and anxiety, and manage anger for better mental health. 3279 students acquired and applied the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, establish, and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. 300 outside referrals were made to families needing more extensive therapeutic services and families needing help with basic needs including food and housing.

Catholic Charities Indianapolis, Inc. offers other program services to benefit those in need including pregnancy and adoption, counseling and mental health services, contributions to Catholic Charities Bloomington mental health services, senior services and other basic needs.