Abel never expected an ordinary evening to change his life forever. After returning home from work, he suddenly collapsed in his kitchen. A stroke left him unconscious, with a fractured facial bone and with nerve damage affecting his eye. In an instant, Abel and his wife, Celia, were facing a frightening health crisis — while still caring for their son.

Thanks to your support, they didn’t have to face it alone.

As soon as Abel was medically cleared, he began months of physical therapy to regain his strength and mobility. During that long recovery, Celia became his full-time caregiver, unable to continue her cleaning jobs. Temporary disability benefits helped at first, but when those benefits ended, the family quickly fell behind on rent and faced the very real threat of eviction.

That’s when your generosity stepped in.

Because of donors like YOU, Delia, a housing case manager with Catholic Charities East Bay, was able to secure emergency rental assistance to cover the family’s past-due rent — keeping them safely in their home during the most difficult moment of their lives. Delia continued to check in, offering guidance and support until Abel’s condition stabilized and Celia could return to work.

Today, the family is back on steadier ground. Celia is working again, and Abel is hopeful he will soon be able to return to work himself — focused not on survival, but on rebuilding their future.

Your compassion made this possible. By giving to Catholic Charities, you help families stay housed, heal, and move forward with dignity — even when life takes an unexpected turn.

Give Back on Game Night Rallies Fans

Catholic Charities was honored to sponsor Give Back on Game Night at Saint Mary’s College on Friday, December 19, bringing our mission to the court during an exciting Gaels basketball game. Fans joined us in celebrating community, service, and compassion while learning how Catholic Charities supports neighbors in need throughout the East Bay. We’re grateful to Saint Mary’s College and all who helped make the night a winning one for our community.

As we begin a new year, there’s no better time to turn compassion into action. Volunteering with Catholic Charities is a meaningful way to support neighbors facing housing instability, food insecurity, and crisis. Start the year by making a difference — one family, one act of kindness at a time.



Learn more and sign up at our Volunteers page at cceb.org.