The Support They Earned: Serving Veterans and Their Families
Talking Catholic
For veterans facing homelessness or struggling to regain stability, knowing where to turn can make all the difference. This week, Jen and Mike speak with Susan Stevens, regional program coordinator for Catholic Charities of South Jersey’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), along with Catholic Charities Executive Director Dr. Maria Elena Hallion and diocesan Director of Development Stacy Napolitano. Susan explains how SSVF helps veterans and their families secure or maintain housing while connecting them with the benefits, employment resources and community support they have earned through their service. From rental and utility assistance to help navigating the VA system, finding work and addressing the practical barriers that can keep a family from becoming self-sufficient, the program walks alongside veterans with dignity and compassion. The conversation also looks ahead to the Catholic Charities Annual Dinner, which raises funds to assist veterans and other clients with needs that grant-funded programs cannot cover. This year, Catholic Charities will present its Saint John Neumann Award to Bishop Joseph L. Coffey, an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. A retired Navy chaplain, Bishop Coffey served for 28 years and continues to provide pastoral care and sacramental support to veterans across the nation. Veterans and families in need of assistance can learn more about Supportive Services for Veteran Families or call 856-340-9242. To learn more about the Catholic Charities Annual Dinner, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit catholiccharitiessouthjersey.org/ccad. Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM. Follow us using our @TalkingCatholic handle on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X