Where to begin when looking ahead for Catholic Charities, an organization that has been caring for the most needy of the archdiocese of Toronto for over a century? Consulting a fortune teller or reading the stars aren’t options for a Catholic agency committed to the Gospel message of Christ — to love and serve God and one another.

On the edges of Mississauga and in the neglected corners of outer Scarborough, survivors of all the world’s tragedies of misrule, economic failure, mob violence and economic dysfunction are hunkered down — waiting to claim their part of the Canadian promise of decency and opportunity.

TORONTO - Imagine at age 16, after years of living without family and in the care of an organization, you’re free to be on your own — except you have never learned the life skills to gain employment, obtain safe and secure housing or stay in school.

TORONTO - Volunteers are the vehicles that help to fulfill the dreams of others, says Marion Barszczyk.

TORONTO - Last year, volunteers at the Society of Sharing donated 20,000 hours of their time to ensure isolated and marginalized seniors and adults with disabilities felt a little less alone.

TORONTO - When Delia Avarell’s two children were growing up, she sent both to a sign-language summer camp operated by Silent Voice Canada. As a deaf parent of hearing children, she wanted them to be immersed in an environment where they could interact with children with a similar family dynamic.

TORONTO - St. Mary Euphrasia, the founder of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, once said: “Lift them up in their own eyes.”

TORONTO - At Catholic Family Services of Durham, clients often tell staff they feel helped, understood and safe, said executive director Elizabeth Pierce.

TORONTO - Artistic students are using discarded doors as a canvass to illustrate the social justice work of Catholic Charities and the agencies it supports.