Catholic Charities Disability Services/Ministries

At Catholic Charities Disability Services & Ministries, we've created a welcoming community for individuals with disabilities, supporting them to live life to the fullest. Over 58 years, we’ve developed quality programs like the Saturday program, Camp Happiness, dance nights, and ministry retreats, fostering community engagement and essential life skills. These initiatives promote inclusivity and raise awareness within the Church and the broader community, emphasizing the importance of embracing diversity.

For our #weGiveCatholic goal this year, we are asking for your donation to help us raise money for "Sensory Kits" for our Diocesan parishes! Our mission is to work with our parishes to assist them in being more welcoming to individuals with disabilities. Part of that is accessibility. Accessibility can be physical, such as ramps; but can also be having an ASL interpreter, large print, braille and sensory kits for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Many developmental disabilities include sensory processing challenges. Many families with neurodiverse children and behavioral difficulties, often made worse by sensory overload, find it difficult attending mass. Studies have found that individuals with disabilities are less likely to attend church services than those without disabilities. 

It is our goal to make attending church services a bit easier for families. One way is with sensory kits which may include fidget spinners, sensory rings, calming techniques and more.

There are over 180 parishes across eight counties in the Diocese of Cleveland. We're raising $7,000 to provide sensory kits to 30 parishes in 2025. Each kit costs around $75, and our initial goal is to deliver three kits to each parish. Your support can make a meaningful impact!

How will your donation be used?

• $900 provides four parishes with three sensory kits each 
• $450 provides two parishes with three sensory kits each
• $300 provides all bean bags for each sensory kit
• $100 provides all marble and mesh fidgets for each sensory kit
• $75 provides all zipper bracelets for each sensory kit

Join us throughout the day on Facebook Live for updates, entertainment and raffles prizes.

Who We Are

We've established a supportive home for individuals with disabilities at Catholic Charities Disability Services & Ministries (DSM), enabling them to live life fully. Your support is crucial to continuing this mission rooted in compassion and service.