CCHD assists NestQuest help families in need

HOUSTON — In Galveston-Houston, Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)-funded NestQuest provides housing and education stability to under-resourced families in their moment of need.

“Many moms come to us as their very last resort before homelessness,” said Hannah Mannion, chief development officer. “They join our program as a result of domestic violence. NestQuest works to provide emergency relocations to prevent our families from being in dangerous scenarios.”

On Thursday, Jan. 12, a member of the Houston City Council in Texas, Tarsha Jackson, District 9, announced its new partnership with NestQuest to advance section 8 housing in Houston.

“This is a brilliant example of a collaborative effort by various public, private and faith communities to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable in our community,” said Sister Maureen O’Connell, OP, director for the Secretariat of Social Concerns. “The Archdiocese is delighted to be a part of the solution and hopes this can be a model for others moving forward.”

Each family in the NestQuest program is led by a single-female minority parent, with an average of three children per family, Mannion said. She said 56% of children in their program are girls. 100% of the NestQuest families are minorities who are under-served by the local community; most all heads of household receive TANF, SNAP, disability and other forms of welfare support, according to Mannion.

“Our moms want the best for their children and thus reach out to NestQuest for support in relocation to better communities and schools in order to better their children’s future educational and employment opportunities,” she said. “Many of the moms who approach us for support have heard the phrase ‘no’ far too many times. NestQuest works to prevent that from happening.”

NestQuest case managers work closely with each family providing a wraparound service for each woman and child in the program, providing counseling support, financial assistance and educational opportunities. By working closely with each family in the program, they are able to provide exceptional support to the women in the program who truly need guidance in their most vulnerable times.

“Our program enables single moms to find a property; we lease it for them, removing any discrimination against them during the application and leasing process,” Mannion said. “Our program enables women to take control of their own lease, build up their credit, pay off debts, regain financial stability and allow them to take back control of their life.”

“Our program also enables moms to pay their other bills on time through our bill assistance program. We truly believe in ‘no late fees’ and work closely with our moms to ensure their bills are paid on time, to reduce the chance of late fees, and to reduce stress and burdens upon their homes.”

CCHD-funded organizations like NestQuest help improve conditions for marginalized communities today and help families achieve their dreams of a better tomorrow.

“The work supported by CCHD is empowering communities to build resilience and stand in solidarity with their most marginalized members,” said Bishop David G. O’Connell, auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee on the CCHD.

In 2021, CCHD distributed more than $12.7 million to more than 200 groups across the United States that are addressing the root causes of poverty and empowering people who are most vulnerable. 

(Photo courtesy of NestQuest)