Catholic Charities assistance programs in Shreveport and Caddo Parish
While not always able to assist, the Catholic Charities of Shreveport and Northern Louisiana will do their best to assist the needy and less fortunate. Some emergency assistance programs are administered directly by the organization while others are provided through partnerships or referrals to other non-profits in Louisiana. Hundreds of Shreveport families will usually receive some form of assistance every year.
When an unexpected crisis occurs, Catholic Charities will do their best to try to assist. The organization and/or the churches it partners with may have funds to assist with a bill, such as utility or cooling. Other cash assistance may be available to help pay rent for people facing eviction. Usually the agency will only pay a portion of your expenses and only if the applicant meets other conditions.
All applications and requests from Shreveport families are reviewed on a case by case basis. At the same time funds are issued they will offer financial education and case management to help people better prepare and work through life’s unexpected emergencies. If the organization can't help, they will try to find a social service provider or local charity in the community to assist and coordinate that referral.
The Money School / Financial Education Program offers the working poor, struggling and low-income individuals an opportunity to learn and improve in an effort to gain stability. They can learn how to better manage, save, and budget their income. Classes will also teach the students how to improve credit scores, create an individual budget, how to begin a savings account and maintain it and in general how to plan for the future. A key in all of this is for people to decrease unnecessary spending and use those extra savings to pay down debt and/or add to their savings. Also learn how to end the payday loan cycle and avoid other predatory lenders.
Those Shreveport residents who seek and receive Emergency Financial Assistance from Catholic Charities are required to take these classes to become eligible for any funds. This is because the goal of the organization is to offer a hand up rather than a hand out. Case managers work to guide clients along a healthier, better and happier financial path.
After the classes are complete, clients can receive ongoing financial coaching to support them. This will encourage each person who has completed a workshop to follow the budget and educational plan designed just for them. Catholic Charities is committed to working with people to help them sustain significant and life-changing steps toward a sound financial future. The benefits of the financial education programs are immeasurable and extend past the individual to the entire family.
Basic needs and disaster assistance services are offered by Catholic Charities of Shreveport. The organization and its staff are on the front line to help individuals and families displaced by man made or natural disasters. The resources are oriented to cover the basic needs and even bills of those affected by weather related and other disasters, such as a fire, flood, or hurricane. Case managers and responders will try to address both immediate needs and the long term needs of those affected. They will assist survivors.
As part of the disaster assistance, they will assess each person’s need to determine if they can be of assistance. It can be short term help, like food or a meal, or more longer term, such as housing. They will also meet with them and partner with the individual to explore all other possible local resources and government aid that might help them.
The Immigration and Refugee Social Services Department of Catholic Charities of Shreveport is a valuable resource for the increasing number of immigrants and their families in Louisiana. Clients can receive low cost legal assistance to deal with the immigration law and to learn their rights.
Some of the specific services offered for immigrants include help with applications, short term financial aid, and employment counseling. The goal is to help people get settled in the Shreveport area.
Phone number to apply at
The main office for Caddo Parish is at 331 E 71st St, Shreveport, Louisiana 71106. Call 318 865-0200 for information.
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