By Olivia Graffeo | olivia@queensledger.com

Celebrating 125 years of service, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens continues to provide food, housing, and many other resources to the communities most affected by poverty in New York City. With half a million clients served in the two boroughs and over 4,000 housing units provided to at-risk individuals, the non-profit organization is seeking to grow their numbers and bolster their volunteering efforts. 

On Tuesday, July 16th, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens hosted their inaugural Next Generation Committee Gathering in Manhattan. The event was attended by the CEO, Reverend Monsignor Alfred P. LoPinto, board members, and dozens of young professionals excited to be a part of the next generation of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens. One board member, Anthony B. Stumbo, was a spearheader of the new Next Generation Committee– formed to get more people involved in the organization. 

“Getting more people involved with respect to no indication of age or background or profession. Just expand the base, get more people to understand what we do and see how they can help.  And one of our goals is really to have something for everyone,” Stumbo said. “Additionally, we’d like to have more socialization and networking.  That is a good way to organically grow the organization.”

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has focused heavily on the housing crisis and those who are suffering from unattainable pricing, specifically seniors, those who are formerly homeless, and those suffering with mental illness. Pouring an extensive 95% percent of the non-profits income directly into programs that aid these people is one of the organization’s proudest achievements. For this to be possible, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens relies heavily on the generosity of volunteers. While volunteering with food pantries and community events are common ways to help, it does not end there.

“There are some people who really want to get involved in volunteer efforts, go on the front lines. Hand out food, physically help people, build houses, fix things, plant flowers,” Stumbo said. “There’s some people in between who are like, ‘I can volunteer, but I can volunteer my mind, or you know, my mathematical skills, legal skills.’ So our goal is number one, to get more people involved. But number two, to really increase our volunteering. And to let people know that there are many different ways that you can volunteer and assist.”

John Farrell, one such young professional who sits on the board of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, was also in attendance at the Next Generation Committee’s event. One of the founding members of the Committee, Farrell is enthusiastic about the future of the organization and its growth. 

“This event is indicative of what we’re doing. We have a lot of younger people here. And out of the hundred people, I would say a high percentage of them want to immediately come back,” Farrell said. “They want to donate, but more importantly, they want to volunteer their time. They know about our programs and how they can help people and they want to get involved very much. So we’re very much looking forward to working with them.”