Dear friends in need,
I just came across the June 2013 posting of an unsatisfied, assumed biased individual that was denied rental assistance. I too, have a personal acquaintance that did not receive the aid they believed was deserved in rental assistance also. It happens that this particular individual was hispanic, unlike the writer of the previous review. Monies are allocated towards different services within the organization and come with sets of critieria that will differ from one funding source to another. Obviously, the need may exist but if criterias are not met by the individual requesting the assistance regardless of thier race, then they do not qualify for it. In the same breath the staff refers and suggests other avenues that may be of service if they are not able to provide the assistance.
I don't appreciate how the "color or race" card is thrown in to attempt to manipulate or down play an organization that is so vital to the communities it services. Just because the individual didn't get what they wanted when they wanted it doesn't mean that they are not being of service and hold true to their mission. Oh and a tidbit of info.... Director was not hispanic or a minority then or now, not that it differs or alters ethical decision making as they have performed ehtically for many years. I have been, but an observer of the many that they have positively affected and am not an employee of their organization.
If anyone is in need of catholic charities assistance, I recommend that you do not let negative feed back stray you away and go without. The least you can do is bring whatever is required with you, be patient, and if they are not able to assist you there, then be prepared to venture to the next avenue of recommendations they offer you. You do the foot work and God will handle the rest. If the need is sincere, God always find away.
Review from Guidestar
My recent experience with Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, NJ has been most disturbing. I recently sought a temporary assistance for my financial hardship due to an economy that is still recovering from lack of decent-paying jobs. I sought the assistance of this organization due to the ongoing support they receive from donations and financial contributions from generous individuals and organizations. My recent experience with Catholic Charities has not only caused me sadness, but it has greatly disappointed me in realizing how individuals working for charitable organizations take it upon themselves to make poor choices in how they choose to utilize their organization's charitable status and funding.
My financial plight was simply to receive temporary rental assistance for one month, due to my recent financial hardship. In no way did I give Catholic Charities the impression that I would become dependent upon their said charitable services. However, I had staff members treat me in such ways...
Back in March of 2013, I sought assistance for my temporary financial hardship, which I have since informed the charitable organization of my plans to get myself back into a financially stable situation. I communicated with the Director of the Camden Diocese, at first via email, to explain my financial need. Our communications started out of a sincere nature, as the director seemed to be compassionate about assisting me. However, things changed when I actually met with the director. Apparently, the director's attitude about assisting me completely changed, for whatever his reason, after I met with him face-to-face. I sat down with him and supported my plight in my having sought the organization's assistance at that time. Then, the director all-of-a-sudden claimed that their organization did not have the funds to assist me and left me to fend for myself in my time of need.
To make a long story short, I spent the next month or so fighting to get the temporary financial assistance I so urgently needed from Catholic Charities, as I was referred to them from a national hotline for such charitable assistance. I sent constant emails back and forth with the director, practically begging for the assistance I desperately needed. With each communication I made, the director attempted to make things overly-difficult for me to receive the assistance I sought. Each succeeding email communication, the director would enforce claimed policies and procedures that he never discussed with me prior to meeting him face-to-face or when I actually met with him face-to-face. He seems to have saved it for his aftermath of intentionally denying me assistance.
After I met with him, I have since made thorough communications with him and a couple of his case workers, who were advocating for him in denying assisting me. I spent another couple of weeks trying to do what I knew was right in getting the assistance I know they have to help me. Unfortunately, they now have decided to disregard me in total in my pursuit to get assistance through their said charitable cause.
During my communications with the director, I pointed out things that were nothing less than the truth, as to what I realized they were doing to me. The director did not like the idea that although I sought charitable assistance, I demonstrated knowledge and intelligence about how I understood he was treating me in my situation.
My experience with Catholic Charities led me to sincerely believe that individuals who run charitable organizations at certain levels, pick and choose who THEY want to help and that the help is not always based upon genuine need of a seeker of such assistance. I have also noticed that the organization consists of many Hispanics, who may not want to assist other races of people in need (simply their own). My consistent telephone conversations and email communications with Catholic Charities proved that their organization seems to be focused only on assisting Hispanic people, while undermining other races of people who seek charitable assistance with their organization...
I love all of God's races of people and I am certainly not the type of person to be biased or racist. I feel that my experience with the individuals who denied me temporary hardship assistance, was truly of a biased and racist nature.
The problem with quite a few charitable organizations nowadays, is that they operate their organizations in the very same fashion as what I experienced with Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, NJ. It is sad to see that these organizations get tons of charitable donations from many generous people and other organizations, only to abuse the funds by offering it to those they personally deem worthy of charitable assistance by the grace of God.
I firmly believe that it is definitely not from God to have people mistreat others in the ways that Catholic Charities has mistreated me in seeking simple financial assistance of such a small magnitude, based upon the charitable revenue and government funding their organization receives bi-annually… In addition, I believe that it is certainly unpatriotic for charitable organizations to run their operations in the ways I have experienced from Catholic Charities, while receiving tax exemption (with status benefits) and capitalizing on the Constitution of the United States.