_{Author: Deb Alinger, Catholic Charities Homemaker}

Working at Catholic Charities can be a perfect job for a working mother needing a flexible schedule. While it is not necessarily a glamorous job, it is the most rewarding career anyone could embark upon.

My work is very rewarding and has given even greater meaning to my life, reminding me daily that, by what I do, I’m making a difference in the lives of others.

Catholic Charities provides programs that help people in need. The clients that I see are all over age 65.

I go into their homes and help them with cooking, cleaning, laundry or perhaps just visiting with someone, and offering a willing ear when they need someone to listen. Some of my clients have no family and I am the only person they might see for days. There’s a real responsibility that comes with this fact, as I know I need to make my visit impactful and meaningful for them.

I’ve often found a client feeling depressed and sad. I enjoy trying to help them feel happier. I talk, I listen … I try to understand when my role is just to listen and when they truly want my advice. I’ve found that on most occasions, by the time I’m ready to leave in an hour or two, they are usually happy, smiling and looking forward to my next visit.

I love this job because it allows me to work 1:1 with clients, and I think that degree of personal attention is what many of these people need. I have one particular client who I really enjoy. She has a daughter who visits them every day and cooks dinner for her mom and dad. She stays with them three nights a week and yet every night she personally ensures her mom and dad are tucked in for bed. My client’s husband

stays by her side throughout the day, never leaving her side. She has a son and daughter in law who also show her how much she is loved.

We bathe her, bring her to the bathroom, give her a drink and hold her hand and visit. When we do this, it not only shows my client how much we love her, it gives her loving family tremendous peace of mind; it gives her family a much-needed respite, if only for a few hours, so they can recharge their batteries.

This is a wonderful and kind family and they treat my co-workers and I like family.

I see different families and different clients who all face different issues. I enjoy figuring out the right way to help each client with their unique challenges. Not every client is smiling as I enter their home, but I’m proud and gratified to say that most every one of them is smiling by the time I’m ready to leave.

It’s a tremendous source of satisfaction knowing that I’ve shed a little light and brought some happiness to these people. When they tell me that they’re looking forward to seeing me again or when they personally request me to return, I know that I’m making a difference in someone’s life.

If you’re someone who wants to make more than a living, but who wants to make a difference then working for Catholic Charities is the right job for you.