New name, new location, same commitment to mission
Hammond--On August 12, 2009, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge held an open house to celebrate the grand opening of Catholic Charities Serving Tangipahoa. The name change reflects the array of services Catholic Charities expanded into Tangipahoa Parish following Hurricane Katrina. Tangipahoa Cares was an emergency assistance program of Catholic Charities and the agency’s most widely-known service in the parish.
“Today, emergency assistance is only one service offered by Catholic Charities Serving Tangipahoa,” explained Lynn Gaudet, CCDBR Social & Community Responsibility Director.
Rather than focusing on band-aid assistance with short-term benefits, Catholic Charities Serving Tangipahoa works to break the cycle of poverty for families by offering a comprehensive roster of programs, like employment assistance, personal finance classes, mental health counseling and more.
“We help families help themselves and become more self-reliant,” said Gaudet.

(985) 542-9896

Coordinator: Lisa Bourgoyne

707 West Coleman Avenue, Suite B, Hammond, Louisiana 70403

Programs and Services for the people of Tangipahoa Parish

Employment Services--Looking for a job? Catholic Charities’ experienced Tangipahoa-based staff can help. We’re a well-recognized job resource throughout the parish for people of all ages and faiths. Special programs exist for older workers, disaster survivors and persons with disabilities. For more information, call 225-303-4333.

Mental Health Counseling--Having a rough time getting through the tough times in life? Mental health counseling by Licensed Clinical Social Workers is available at St. Albert the Great Catholic Student Center. This low-cost, professional service is open to people of all faiths. Specialties include family, marriage and post-disaster counseling. Call 985-542-5455 for an appointment.

Disaster Relief--Provides emergency relief that may include assistance with rent/shelter, utilities, clothing, medicine, and some reconstruction expenses; training program for churches to effectively respond during a disaster; and long-term case management including mental health counseling and temporary housing. Call 985-542-9896 to find out more.

Immigration Outreach--Catholic Charities Serving Tangipahoa recognizes the growing immigrant population and its challenges. Outreach activities include education, legal rights orientation and community building, and translation services. Call 225-303-4927 for more information.

Family Acheivement Center--Education and trainings with a common goal of self sufficiency. Offerings include community-based support groups for vulnerable populations, education for first time home-buyers, budgeting classes and family strengthening activities. Call 225-336-4406 for more information.

Emergency Assistance--Catholic Charities Serving Tangipahoa provides emergency assistance for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness due to a loss of income or other devastating event. Assistance is provided once a year. Potential clients are prescreened over the phone. If appropriate, the client meets with a caseworker. Appointments are set on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday unless the client is homeless; then the client is seen immediately during normal business hours.Required documentation includes state-issued identification, Social Security cards for all in the household, proof of income, food stamp budget slip, lease agreement, all monthly utility bills, and documentation of need, i.e., eviction notice, utility disconnect, etc. For more information, call 985-542-9896.

(225) 336-8770

Director: Louis Prejean

Administers programs for the poor, for minorities, the Campaign for Human Development, Parish Social Ministry, and programs of social advocacy.

Coordinator: Tessie Blanchard DiFulco

Counsels and refers adult persons with disabilities and their families to community resources to maintain their independence.

Coordinator: Wendy Hellinger

Provides for planning and ongoing operation of integrated service delivery system through about 40 nonprofits and government agencies. This is a community project for which Catholic Charities provides oversight.

Coordinator: Linda Fjeldsjo

Provides temporary housing to homeless ex-offenders and supportive services to help them adjust to life "outside" and establish self-sufficiency.

Coordinator: Louis Prejean

Promotes ongoing development of social ministry activities at the parish level by individual consultation and group instruction; Oversees the parish level participation in such programs as Catholic Campaign for Human Development and Operation Rice Bowl; and coordinates legislative advocacy activities.

Coordinator: Linda Fjeldsjo

Works with the chaplains at the various prisons in the Diocese to reach out to prisoners, families of prisoners, troubled youth, and ex-offenders.