Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County
Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County
Contact Information
Jill Valentic, Executive Director
4200 Park Ave.
3rd Floor
Ashtabula, OH 44004
Click for Directions
Phone
(440) 992-2121
Email
info@doyccac.org
Office Hours: 8:00am – 4:00pm, M – F
Services offered at Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County
Any individual needing special assistance due to an impairment, disability or language barrier, should notify the receptionist upon arrival.
BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE
Extends help and hope in times of crisis to families and children in cooperation with other social service agencies, churches, food pantries, and soup kitchens.
- Housing Counseling assistance with pre-purchase, down payment, foreclosure and budgeting
- Housing / Homeless Prevention – rental / security deposit assistance / preventing eviction
- Homeless Outreach and Rapid Rehousing: assisting with immediate housing needs
- Utility Assistance: avoiding disconnection / reconnection of utilities
- Financial Literacy / Budget Counseling – one-on-one and group education
- Prescription Assistance
- Food Assistance: homeless boxes, food boxes, food vouchers, and referrals to food pantries
- First Step Assistance – Baby needs: diapers, formula, cribs and other supports
- SSI SOAR Specialist – assists homeless and disabled with disability application
- Second Chance Citizen’s Circle – Re-entry assistance from jail and/or prison
- Hygiene and Household Items
- HALO (Holiday Angels Loving Others) Annual Christmas Program for individuals and families
- Those seeking help with utilities, food, prescriptions, hygiene & households items, baby needs, etc. are welcome to visit the agency on Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Applicants should bring a photo ID, proof of income, and information regarding the request – i.e. utility bill/disconnection notice. Utility assistance is typically limited to one time in twelve months.
- Those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness may visit the agency during business hours Monday through Friday. Every effort will be made to have homeless individuals meet with a caseworker, but please be aware that the caseworker may not be immediately available due to previously scheduled appointments.
- Christmas programming provides seasonal food and gift assistance.
HOUSING/HOMLESSNESS ASSISTANCE
HUD certified program which assists with a broad range of housing concerns.
- Foreclosure/default counseling is available for those who have fallen behind on their mortgage payment. A counselor will serve as an intermediary between the client and the lender; exploring all options which may help prevent the foreclosure.
- Pre-purchase counseling educates prospective homeowners about affordability and the home buying process.
- Down payment assistance is dependent upon grant availability, and limited funds may be available.
- Homeless outreach assists with basic needs and helps individuals and families get re-housed as quickly as possible, and connected to other community resources.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
- Opening Doors is an evidence-based, comprehensive 1-session interactive parent leadership and advocacy-training program developed for low-income parents with children ages 0-5. The program is based on the premise that enhancing parenting skills early in a child’s life leads to economic and societal benefits.
- The goal of the Opening Doors Program is to help parents learn:
- how to help their children develop healthy habits
- how to prepare them to be successful in school
- what resources and services are available to support their family
- how to interact with other parents in the community
- how to be your child’s/children’s First leader in education
- Certificate awarded upon completion of the class.
- The goal of the Opening Doors Program is to help parents learn:
- Parent Cafe/Getting Ahead is a program to strengthen the community by supporting, nurturing and assisting parents/custodial grandparents. The workshop is limited to Ashtabula County residents. An application is required. A gift card incentive will be offered to all participants upon completion of the program. For more information, please contact Estelle at estellet@doyccac.org.
- Hispanic Outreach connects Catholic Charities programs and services to the Hispanic community, offering translation and advocacy services as well as case management and direct assistance as appropriate. Includes advocacy, community connections, education and outreach and case management to families in need.
GUARDIANSHIP & REPRESENTATIVE PAYEESHIP SERVICES
Prevent exploitation, abuse and neglect of vulnerable individuals
- Representative Payeeship – The mentally disabled adults are currently the most vulnerable demographic in our local community and cannot manage their finances and/or are at risk of exploitation from family and/or friends. This program provides casework and money management for individuals with disabilities who cannot manage their own finances. The caseworker ensures that basic shelter, food, and clothing needs are met, and that other appropriate benefits are accessed, thus providing stability to those who are vulnerable to exploitation.
- Guardianship – This program utilizes agency staff and community volunteers to serve as “Guardians of Person” to Ashtabula County residents who are over the age of 18, indigent, and lack available, appropriate family to fill this role. This is a legal relationship established by the Ashtabula County Probate Court between two parties, one being the “guardian” (Catholic Charities) and the other party being the ward. If after a thorough investigation and hearing the Court finds a person incapable of caring for himself/herself, then the Court will appoint a legal guardian of person to the program. The target population is senior citizens aged 60+, and afflicted with a form of dementia, mental health condition, brain injury, etc., which would render them unable to make critical medical and personal decisions, creating a vulnerability to physical, mental and financial abuse and/or exploitation. Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County has expanded guardianship of person services for individuals between the age of 18-60, also suffering with severe and persistent mental health disorders.