Local Spotlight: Catherine McAuley Center Scranton PA

Hands Up

The Catherine McAuley Center is a support system and empowerment program for homeless women and families in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. By offering a range of social services, the Catherine McAuley Center presents a path toward self-sufficiency, security, and well-being. In addition to helping women obtain safe, affordable, and permanent housing, the center provides individualized case management services.

On this page, you’ll find more information about the history of the Catherine McAuley Center, the work of the Sisters of Mercy, their special programs, and how you can contribute.

History of the Catherine McAuley Center

Supportive Services The Catherine McAuley Center originated with a group of passionate members of the Sisters of Mercy. Catherine McAuley, the public servant for which the center is named, was a nun in Dublin, Ireland, and the founder of the original community of the Sisters of Mercy

Later, in 1983, Sister Anne, Sister Dorothy McLaughlin, and Sister Elizabeth Brandreth began offering extra bedrooms at their convent to vulnerable women. Many of the women were either fleeing domestic violence, previously incarcerated, experiencing chronic homelessness, and/or were struggling with mental health issues or another disability.

All the services offered by the Catherine McAuley Center are 100% free and every client is living either at or below the federal poverty line.

Supportive Services for Women & Children

To help their clients overcome the trauma of homelessness, the Catherine McAuley Center staff offers educational services, different types of counseling, life skills training, and access to employment opportunities.

A few of the programs offered by the Catherine McAuley Center include the Family Support Program, food pantry, and Adopt-A-Family, which invites individuals, families, and local organizations to support an associated family over the holidays.

Furthermore, the Catherine McAuley Center provides emergency, transitional, and permanent housing support, depending on the unique circumstances of the woman and/or children. These housing programs offer a range of services from art therapy to medical assessments and support with local transportation.

Tours & Community Engagement

The Catherine McAuley Center offers tours of its facilities and serves as a meeting host site for a variety of local organizations. As part of their service work, they also seek to actively engage the community through special events, volunteer opportunities, and monetary as well as material contributions.

If you feel eager to connect with the Catherine McAuley Center, offer support, or to donate to its cause, contact a dedicated staff member today to help these homes of hope continue serving women and children in need.