Our Lady of Loreto – The Caritas Center
Our Lady of Loreto – The Caritas Center is a community outreach center serving individuals, families, seniors, and neighbors throughout Franklin County. Through practical assistance, education, and supportive programming, the Center helps people address immediate needs while also creating opportunities for greater stability and independence.
The Caritas Center brings several Catholic Social Services programs and resources together in one welcoming location, making it easier for community members to connect with the support they need.
Programs and Services
Our Lady of Loreto – The Caritas Center offers a range of services designed to support individuals and families at different stages of need.
JOIN: Financial Emergency Assistance
The JOIN Program helps individuals and families experiencing financial hardship or an unexpected crisis. Assistance may include support with urgent needs such as rent, utilities, transportation, medical expenses, and other essential costs.
JOIN also helps connect individuals with additional Catholic Social Services programs and community resources when ongoing support is needed.
The Caritas Food Pantry
The Caritas Food Pantry provides food assistance to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
By helping households meet one of their most immediate needs, the pantry can also help families preserve limited income for housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and other essential expenses.
Teaching Kitchen
The Teaching Kitchen provides hands-on opportunities for community members to build practical skills related to food, nutrition, and meal preparation.
Programs are designed to create an approachable learning environment where participants can gain useful knowledge they can take home and apply in their everyday lives.
Workforce Development & Small Business Entrepreneur Classes
The Caritas Center offers workforce development and small business entrepreneur classes designed to help participants strengthen their skills, explore employment opportunities, and work toward greater financial stability.
Programming may support individuals who are preparing to enter or re-enter the workforce, build professional skills, or explore opportunities related to entrepreneurship and small business ownership.
Senior Services & Classes
Older adults can connect with services, classes, and supportive programming through the Caritas Center.
These programs help seniors stay engaged, access helpful resources, build connections, and participate in activities designed to support their well-being and independence.
JOIN Program
The JOIN Program brings mobile outreach directly into Franklin County neighborhoods, helping individuals and families access food assistance, emergency financial support, resource navigation, and connections to Catholic Social Services programs and community resources. By meeting people where they are, JOIN helps reduce barriers to support and connect residents with practical assistance during times of need.
Support for Immediate Needs and Long-Term Stability
The work of the Caritas Center goes beyond addressing a single challenge.
Food assistance can help families redirect limited household income toward rent, utilities, transportation, and other necessities. Emergency financial support can help prevent a temporary setback from developing into a larger housing or financial crisis. Workforce development, education, and supportive services can help individuals build skills and create a stronger foundation for the future.
Every situation is different. Our team works with each individual to understand their needs and connect them with appropriate services, programs, and resources.
Who We Serve
Our Lady of Loreto – The Caritas Center serves individuals and families throughout Franklin County who may be experiencing financial hardship, food insecurity, housing instability, employment challenges, or other barriers.
The Center also provides programming and resources for seniors, individuals seeking workforce support, aspiring entrepreneurs, and community members looking to strengthen practical life skills.
Services are offered with dignity and respect to people of all backgrounds.
A Community Outreach Center Rooted in Service
Our Lady of Loreto – The Caritas Center reflects the mission of Catholic Social Services by meeting people where they are and providing compassionate, practical support during challenging moments.
Whether someone needs help with an immediate financial emergency, access to nutritious food, assistance preparing for employment, opportunities to learn new skills, or programs designed for older adults, the Caritas Center serves as a welcoming connection point for resources and support.