Congratulations to Catholic Charities USA's 2007 Family Strengthening Awards winners—four innovative programs that support healthy family relationships, improve a family's overall financial situation, and enhance the community where they live.

"Our four Family Strengthening Award winners give children what they need most—strong, capable, and economically stable families," said Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA. "These remarkable programs are successful because they work to create strong partnerships with vulnerable families and organizations directly in the neighborhoods where they live which enhance the quality of family life. Equally important, is that the programs work to increase the economic assets of the families they serve with education, jobs, and savings."

Offering holistic, wraparound services that aid families in multiple areas, including social, spiritual, psychological, and economic, El Programa Hispano of Catholic Charities of Oregon has provided services to low-income Latino immigrant families in the greater Portland area since 1982. Its mission is threefold: to increase self-sufficiency within the Latino community, to empower individuals to achieve a better quality of life, and to promote mutual understanding and respect among cultures. Learn more.Learn more.

In an area of North Carolina with limited employment opportunities and income levels and high school graduation rates below state averages, many families struggle through hard times. Money and credit problems can destroy families and weaken communities. The Office of Economic Opportunity of Catholic Social Services of Charlotte, NC, offers and array of programs to promote responsible financial choices and in turn help maintain a healthy community. Learn more.

Southside Family Center of Catholic Charities of Hartford, CT, works to provide a “family-centered and strength-based” environment in which both children and parents have access to a comprehensive array of programs and services committed to strengthening and promoting healthy family relationships, as well as encouraging economic security through education and employment. Learn more. Learn more.

Thorpe Family Residence, which is part of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, provides shelter and services to homeless families in the Bronx by helping mothers develop the life skills necessary to secure employment and to prepare for independent living. Since it opened in 1989, Thorpe has assisted more than 500 homeless mothers with children to obtain job training and education and successfully secure and maintain their own homes. Learn more. Learn more.