Snapshot Survey: Crisis Exceeds Financial Woes

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A Catholic Charities USA
survey of local agency services during the first quarter, 2009 reveals that
the nation's financial crisis has caused an increase in domestic violence,
more interactions with child protection services, accelerated cases of sexual
assault and more middle class people seeking first time food and housing
assistance. Forty Catholic Charities direct service agencies participated in
the survey and documented recent trends. Agencies experienced an increased
demand for services from new populations coupled with a decrease in government
funding and philanthropic donations.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081008/CCUSALOGO)

Catholic Charities Central Texas reports, "We are seeing new middle class and
working poor in our food pantry. Out of 6,644 individuals, 5,047 were new.
This is the same experience with screening and enrolling families into Food
Stamps, CHIP, Medicaid, etc."

Agencies identified alarmingly higher requests for services from the working
poor, seniors, middle class clients and families. They reported increases in
domestic violence issues, more interaction with Child protective services and
increased enrollment in Medicaid, SCHIP, and SNAP (Food Stamps). More people,
including first time users of emergency services, have requested clothing,
counseling and mental health services, food, foreclosure prevention, job
training and placement, permanent housing, prescription assistance, rent or
mortgage assistance, temporary housing, utilities assistance and emergency
financial assistance.

Father Larry Snyder, President, Catholic Charities USA stated, "This survey
confirms that more members of the middle have been plunged into poverty since
last fall. We will continue our work to reduce poverty in America. Our
agencies provide safety nets while we continue to urge the Administration and
Congress to take steps toward long term recovery for each member of our
community."

Catholic Charities urges Federal Lawmakers to distribute increased funding
through national nonprofit intermediaries rather than through state
government, to fund critical child welfare and safety net services directly,
and include the marginalized in recovery programs. The continuation of
funding for job training programs is essential as the nation prepares for a
new post recession economy. Read survey results at
www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.

About Catholic Charities, USA
Catholic Charities USA's members -- 1,700 local agencies and institutions
nationwide -- provide help and create hope for nearly 8 million people of all
faiths, social and economic backgrounds. For more than 280 years, local
Catholic Charities agencies have provided vital services in their communities,
ranging from day care and counseling to food and housing.

SOURCE Catholic Charities USA

Patricia A. Hvidston, Vice President, Development and Communications, Catholic
Charities, USA, +1-703-236-6259, phvidston@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org