News

New Life Fund needs help

	Helping New Life For more information on the New Life Fund, phone Jill Kahovec at (920)437-7531 or toll-free at 1-877-400-3580, ext. 1. Contributions to the New Life Fund -- including new baby items, diapers, and monetary gifts -- also are accepted. Checks payable to the Diocesan New Life Fund can be mailed to Catholic Charities, P.O. Box 1506, Green Bay, WI 54305.

In honor of Mother's Day, the Green Bay Diocese is inviting contributions to a fund to help needy low-income women who are pregnant or who have children less than a year old.

Requests to Catholic Charities of the Green Bay Diocese for help from the diocese's New Life Fund have almost doubled this year, said Jill Kahovec, fund coordinator.

"With a suffering local economy, and many assistance agencies in the area under budget cuts or out of funds, requests for assistance through the Diocesan New Life Fund has increased from about 20 calls per week to almost double," said Kahovec. "The situation is serious. People are losing their jobs and are feeling desperate."

Kahovec said many people "I meet through the New Life Fund are people who have previously supported themselves. But for one reason or another -- the loss of a job, divorce, or complications during pregnancy, they find themselves in a position where they cannot make ends meet. And it's not an easy thing to ask for help."

Funding for the New Life Fund comes from the annual Bishop's Appeal, the diocesan Respect Life Program and charitable donations.

Kahovec tells of one woman, Amy, who was living alone with her 6 week-old son. She had no family to rely on and was facing eviction after falling behind in her rent during maternity leave.

"I was terrified that I would be out on the street with my baby," Amy said. "I was just returning to work -- how could I keep a job without a place to live? The New Life Fund helped me keep a home for my son. How do you ever thank someone for that? We're doing much better now."

Another woman helped by the New Life Fund was Cindy, a recently divorced mother raising an 8 month-old baby alone. The baby has serious lung problems which require her to give him breathing treatments throughout the day, which meant she could not work.

"I felt like I was in a no-win situation, but what choice did I have," Cindy asked. "My baby needed me. My parish and the New Life Fund were there to help me. I am so very grateful."

The New Life Fund offers "last resort" funding to women encountering essential expenses related to their pregnancy, or necessities during the first year of their child's life.

Married couples and single fathers also may be eligible for the fund. Grants are paid directly to the provider for services directly related to pregnancy, childbirth or needs of the parent and infant such as baby items and supplies, cribs, childcare expenses, medical needs, and security deposits or rent.

Funding also is available for certain expenses adoption-related expenses.

"The New Life Fund provides a valuable avenue for the church, through Catholic Charities, to reaffirm its commitment to life," said Karen Johnston, director of Catholic Charities. "Our support of young families through this program is at the heart of what we do to reach out and strengthen family life in our diocese. Our work on behalf of vulnerable families brings new hope for the future of the children whose lives are enhanced by other's generosity."

The economy has had a major impact on service providers in the community, Kahovec said. "None of us have escaped budget constraints. The people who always suffer the most are those most vulnerable. And it only gets worse during the warmer months in our area -- it's very frustrating."

In addition to the 33 families helped so far this year by the New Life Fund, Catholic Charities receives 30 to 40 requests each week for other financial assistance. Catholic Charities does not have a regular emergency assistance program, but works with area churches and other service providers to help people in need.

Applicants to the New Life Fund are also offered counseling, assistance through Catholic Charities budget counseling program, and referrals to possible resources in the community.