From the CEO: You were there

Dear Friends,

As I reflect on the past year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for your steadfast support. Never would I have imagined a year like this—one marked by unexpected challenges but also incredible acts of compassion and solidarity.

This year we faced a very public loss of funding for our emergency shelters, a critical blow to our mission of serving those experiencing homelessness. We struggled through the ongoing housing crisis, which was often the barrier between our clients in shelter and permanent housing, that next chapter of their lives that we believe every human being deserves. We also weathered several disasters, some of which barely registered on the broader radar but left lives devastated in their wake.

Through it all, you were there. Whether you prayed for us and our clients, donated your treasures, volunteered your time, or advocated for us in big and small ways, you were there alongside us. Our path was illuminated because of you.

In the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells of a man who was attacked by robbers and left for dead on the side of the road. While others passed by, it was the Samaritan who stopped, tended to the man's wounds, and brought him to an inn for care. The Samaritan ensured the man’s needs were met, not only in the moment but in the days to come, by leaving funds with the innkeeper and promising to return.

We often see ourselves as  the innkeepers in that parable. You are the Good Samaritan—the one who sees the need, responds with generosity, and ensures that the most vulnerable among us are cared for. Your commitment to this work allows us to continue providing shelter, food, and hope to those who need it most. Pope Francis had said,  “Care given to the poor and vulnerable is a hymn to human dignity, a song of hope that calls for the choral participation of society as a whole”.

As we celebrate this holy season, I want to thank you for walking alongside us. Your prayers, gifts, and service have been a source of strength and encouragement to our team and, most importantly, to those we serve.

From all of us at Catholic Charities of Acadiana, we wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with peace and joy.

In service,

Kim Boudreaux
Chief Executive Officer
Catholic Charities of Acadiana