A Young Mother at MOMS Event

Catholic Charities of Orange County (CCOC) has many partnerships, ranging from faith-based organizations and healthcare providers like CalOptima to the Mexican Consulate and public officials. Due to the wide range of services we offer to the community, our partners often seek our participation in numerous events dedicated to serving the community.

Recently, Bertha, CCOC’s CalFresh Food Benefits Assister, attended an event hosted by MOMS, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting parents and their children. There, she met a young mother of a 10-month-old girl who was unable to work, with her husband being the family's sole source of income. The mother expressed her concern about affording food, baby formula, and proper nutrition for her baby, given the high costs. She had never heard of CCOC or that we could help her family apply for CalFresh Food benefits. Bertha explained in detail how we could screen her eligibility for CalFresh Food benefits and assist with the application process if she qualified. Additionally, Bertha informed her that the family could receive food and diapers from CCOC’s food distribution center. The young mother shared that she was hesitant to apply because she had heard stories about county workers being unkind or impatient with benefit applicants, which discouraged her from visiting the county office. Bertha reassured her that by applying through CCOC, we could act as her representative and advocate on her behalf. The mother then scheduled an appointment and was instructed to bring the required documents.

When we met the next day, she arrived with her baby asleep on her shoulder, as she had no one to care for her child. Bertha quickly assisted her with the CalFresh application so they could return home and rest. Two days later, the mother called our office, overjoyed, because her caseworker informed her that her application had been approved. She was pleasantly surprised by the care and speed with which she was helped and expressed gratitude to CCOC for easing her fears about not being able to afford food for her baby. She assured us that she would share her experience with others in need of CalFresh Food Assistance.