A Message from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees

John J. Phelan, Jr.

Dear Friends,

I feel priveliged to work with Catholic Charities. It's as simple as that. In these challenging economic times, Catholic Charities responds as it has for nearly a century with determination and dedication, reaching out to provide a vast array of services for those in need.

Permit me to express my deep appreciation to His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan for his generous support to Catholic Charities during his service as Archbishop of New York. And allow me to welcome the Most Reverend Timothy Dolan as our new Archbishop.

I want to thank my fellow trustees and members of the Cardinal's Committee for Charity who make Catholic Charities a priority in their philanthropic efforts throughout the year. I would also like to stress the imoportance of and my appreciation to all who give generously of their time, talents and resources to enable Catholic Charities to provide help and create hope. More than 1000 volunteer directors and trustees guide this federation of nearly 100 Catholic Charities agencies throughout the New York metropolitan area. Their expertise and oversight prove critical to the integrity, high quality and success of our agencies. Under the dedicated leadership of Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, committed staff and volunteers help solve the problems of New Yorkers in need - non-Catholics and Catholics alike.

My long association with Catholic Charities has only deepened my respect for all it does. This annual report provides an opportunity to extol the agency's work in transforming lives thanks to supporters like you. It describes needs as well as responses. It describes hardship as well as help, and anguish, as well as hope. It describes Catholic Charities, now more than ever, as an essential part of New York.

With warmest regards,

John J. Phelan, Jr.

Chairman, Board of Trustees

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