Dozens of volunteers and hundreds of members of the community gathered in Warren Saturday November 15, for the first ever Community Day of Hope. The event, which was held on the campus of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish – Blessed Sacrament Church, coincides with the 2025 Jubilee Year and the World Day of the Poor (Sunday, November 16, 2025). Those in need within the community had the chance to receive goods, information, healthcare resources and spiritual support.
The Community Day of Hope was sponsored by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Youngstown in partnership with Mercy Health Youngstown, Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley, St. Vincent de Paul of Northeast Ohio, 898 Marketing, local Catholic schools, parishes, and other diocesan ministries.
Nearly 150 households and upwards of 600 people were served at the one-day event. Individuals or families were given the option for an on-site or carryout meal. They were also given personal care and hygiene products. Additionally, winter coats, hats and gloves were distributed for children and adults.
Nancy Voitus, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Regional Agency, said the timing for this event was appropriate considering all the recent fears over food insecurity amid the government shutdown.
“The recent concern around Snap benefits, I think really triggered a lot of people with some panic and fear about running out of everything from food to, you know, other resources. So I think the timing has just ended up being perfect because even before that, we’ve just seen such a growing need with rising costs, rent, utilities, food. Being able to reach out and bring people in for something where they can access these resources is just really fulfilling today,” says Voitus.
43 volunteers took part in the one day event which was led by Catholic Charities Regional Agency, Saint Vincent de Paul and Mercy Health. Mercy Health provided three mobile clinic caravans which offered healthcare screenings, mammograms and dental care.
Darlene Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society Northeast Ohio, says one of the most unique item they offered today to participants is a homeless sleeping bag coat.
“We have the ability to provide our sleeping bag coats. They’re convertible. They can be carried as a pack during the day or worn as a coat, depending on the weather. But at night they can open those coats up and they become a sleeping bag. They’re water resistant and warm up to negative 20 degrees.”
Paul Homick, President of Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley and one of the winners of the 2025 Catholic Charities sponsored “Voice of Hope” award, said he’s most proud of the the fact his organization has provided over $4.5 million of support to our community so far this year.
In regards to the Community of Hope event, Homick said, “we have events like this that we are so proud to be a part of, but also ensuring that regardless of someone’s ability to pay, regardless of whatever circumstance somebody finds themselves in, in our community, we are helping that person get the healthcare that they need, get the treatment and services that they need.”
Voitus says Catholic Charities recognizes need and embraces the fact that the organization is counted upon as a last resort for some less fortunate families.
“People call us when they’re at their most desperate. Our staff really try to go above and beyond to get people either the help that we can provide or link them up with somebody that can provide that. And they’re very dedicated. They’re very devoted. One of the things I think that’s really been fulfilling today is just seeing different people. We know that we can’t do it all. So being able to work with all of our other partners in the community to put together that kind of help for people has been really important,” said Voitus.
Father Christopher Cicero, Pastor of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Warren said it’s important for Catholics to continue being beacons of hope even after the 2025 Jubilee comes to a close.
“Hope is such an important virtue. And in the world today, I think it’s very easy to lose hope. So for various reasons, strife in the world, the wars, the division that there is, there’s a million reasons why people can say that there’s a greater case for gloom than there is for light and for hope,” says Father Cicero.
As for the rest of 2025, Hrbolich says “right now we’re in the midst of our Season of Giving which we kick off November 1st. It’s our end of year campaign to raise funds and awareness about the work of Catholic Charities throughout our diocese. We have two events within our Season of Giving. The first is Breakfast with the Bishop, which will be held on December 2nd at Saint Michael Church in Canfield. The second is Social Hour with the Bishop which will be at Gervasi Vineyard in Canton.”
Catholic Charities’ Season of Giving runs through December 31st. You can find out more information at ccdoy.org
The 2025 Jubilee of Hope continues with additional Masses and pilgrim days at local sites. Bishop David Bonnar will celebrate the diocesan closing Jubilee Mass on Sunday, January 4, 2026, 10:30 a.m. at Saint Columba Cathedral. Find out more about the Jubilee of Hope in our diocese at doy.org/jubilee-2025/
