Catholic Charities Worcester County Thanks Foundation for MetroWest for its Support of the Homeless Prevention & Emergency Stabilization Program in Greater Milford

Catholic Charities Worcester County is thankful for its growing partnership with Foundation for MetroWest. Over the past two years, Catholic Charities Milford Emergency Service office has received over $100,000 in support from the foundation. Funds have supported the Employment Readiness Program, Food Pantry, Rental & Utility Assistance and other Homeless Prevention and Emergency Stabilization services. The Milford office serves the towns of Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, and Whitinsville.

Not only has the Foundation for MetroWest supported Catholic Charities programs, but it has provided funding to kick start two new programs: the Employment Readiness Program and a Food Pantry.

The Employment Readiness Program includes classes such as how to set up an online profile, resume writing, job searching, interview skills, post-interview thank you’s and follow-up. In addition, clients are offered one-on-one meetings after classes to ensure they do not feel lost trying to do it on their own. After class, clients will be followed to see if they were successful in achieving a job, and then followed for 9-12 months to ensure they have the support they need in their new job.

In May 2020, Catholic Charities received funding from Foundation for MetroWest to open a food pantry in Milford, MA. During COVID-19, Catholic Charities recognized an increased community need for all basic aid.  One of the most prominent needs was for a culturally sensitive and accessible food pantry. Initially, the food pantry was intended to be a temporary, staples-only, emergency pantry. That May, 50 bags of food were given out. As the months passed and more clients learned of the new service, the emergency pantry has become a necessity in the community. In March 2021, Catholic Charities gave away roughly 400 bags of food in Milford. With this knowledge, the food pantry was expanded into one of the main services.

Catholic Charities would like to thank the Foundation for MetroWest for all of its critical work in supporting the most vulnerable members of our community.