Pio Decimo Serves Mothers in Need

By Carissa Krautscheid

Pio Decimo has been serving families at every stage of life for the past seven decades. In addition to meeting the needs of the elderly, families, teens, and children, Pio Decimo serves mothers in need.  

As Catholics, we have received the gift of the Gospel of Life in its fullness through Christ. As members of the Church, we are the people of life and for life. Saint John Paul II wrote that “gratitude and joy at the incomparable dignity of the human person impel us to share [the Gospel of Life] with everyone.” He said we need to bring this message “to the hearts of all people and make it penetrate every part of society.” By reaching out to lovingly support and care for pregnant women and their children, we witness to the sanctity of every human person, in every stage and every circumstance. (USCCB)  

As an agency of Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, Pio Decimo shares the mission of “strengthening children, adults, families, and communities by providing help, creating hope, and serving all.” (CCS) 

Pio Decimo’s Executive Director, George Rushing, said, “Unfortunately, there are many instances where the women we serve are single mothers, trying to put the pieces of their lives together.  We pride ourselves in being as much of a one-stop-shop as we can to support their basic needs, such as housing, food, clothing, childcare, and an education on how to reach financial stability.” 

The variety of services that mothers in need can find at Pio Decimo includes: 

• Baby diapers and formula 
• Free food and clothing 
• SNAP benefits eligibility 
• Early childhood education 
• Afterschool care 
• Summer childcare programs 
• Transitional housing 
• Rent and utility assistance 
• Housing counseling 
• Eviction prevention 
• Tax preparation                
• Small loan program 
• Referrals to job training programs 
• Counseling offered by two Catholic priests 

The Douglas branch of Pio Decimo offers SNAP enrollment, tax preparation, and referrals to other services. 

Pio Decimo offers a message of hope to the women they serve. “They are not alone,” said George. “We are here as an extended hand of help to get them back on their feet.” 

As steadfast defenders of all human life, the Catholic Church stands beside pregnant women and mothers in need. Pio Decimo is one organization in the Diocese of Tucson that is dedicated to serving the most vulnerable in our community, including mothers and their children.