Creating Space to Heal and Rebuild: CARITAS

Aug 26, 2025

Each year, RCM&D chooses well-deserving local nonprofit organizations to be the recipients of our year-round fundraising and volunteer initiatives. The result of these endeavors is commemorated during our annual Regatta event, a delightful waterfront celebration hosted at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. Mark your calendars for this year’s event on Friday, September 12.

As we approach this year’s festivities, we are proud to shine a spotlight on one of our 2025 beneficiaries: CARITAS, a Richmond-based nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction find stability, healing and hope.

About CARITAS

CARITAS creates a safe space to heal and time to rebuild for individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction. Through a comprehensive network of services—including emergency shelter, substance use disorder (SUD) counseling, workforce development and housing assistance—CARITAS empowers individuals to transform their lives and rejoin their communities with dignity and purpose.

Founded in response to a growing need for coordinated support in Richmond, CARITAS has evolved into a multifaceted organization that addresses the root causes of homelessness and addiction. Their programs are intended to meet people where they are and guide them toward long-term recovery and independence.

A Holistic Approach to Healing

CARITAS delivers targeted support through five key programs, each structured to remove barriers and create opportunities for lasting change:

Emergency Shelter: Year-round shelter services for individuals and families, providing a safe and supportive environment during times of crisis.
The Healing Place: A long-term residential recovery program for men and women battling addiction, offering peer-based support and SUD counseling.
CARITAS Works: A workforce development initiative that equips participants with life skills, job training and employment support to foster financial independence.
Furniture Bank: A community-driven program that collects and distributes furniture and household items to individuals transitioning out of homelessness.
Recovery Residences: Safe, affordable housing options for individuals in recovery, helping them maintain sobriety and rebuild their lives in a stable environment.

Together, these programs form a powerful support system that helps individuals move from crisis to stability.

Impact in Action

CARITAS continues to be a vital resource for individuals facing homelessness and addiction in the Richmond region. In 2024, their programs delivered meaningful results across the board:

Emergency Shelter & Healing Place Programs

78,543 total nights of shelter provided
1,135 individuals served
314,172 meals distributed

Recovery Residences

201 individual residents supported
262 average days of stay per resident

CARITAS Works

108 graduates from the Works program
88% of graduates gainfully employed
30 days: average time from graduation to employment

Furniture Bank

253,027 pounds of furniture diverted from landfills
459 households furnished with essential items

View CARITAS’ full 2024 Impact Report here or watch this video for a closer look at the people, programs and purpose driving their work forward.

RCM&D at CARITAS

The Richmond team recently spent the day volunteering at CARITAS, lending a hand with donation sorting and clothing organization. It was a hands-on opportunity to support the organization’s mission and connect with the community in a meaningful way.

From organizing essentials to sharing smiles, the experience offered a deeper appreciation for the work CARITAS does to help individuals move from crisis to stability.

Upcoming Community Events

Mark your calendars for these exciting opportunities to connect with and support the CARITAS community:

43rd Street Festival of the Arts (September 13, 2025) – Join local artists and community members for a day of art, food, music and giving back. Proceeds benefit CARITAS and support individuals on their journey toward renewal.
THP Alumni Coin Ceremony & Awards (September 25, 2025) – Honor the achievements of Healing Place graduates as they receive their alumni coins and celebrate the volunteers and partners who help make recovery possible.
THP Alumni Block Party (September 27, 2025) – Reconnect with the recovery community at this lively celebration featuring music, games, a moonbounce and dunk tank.
Holiday Giveaway (December 2025 – Date TBD) – Help spread warmth and joy to CARITAS residents this holiday season by donating gift cards, coats and thoughtful gifts for individuals in shelter and recovery.

How to Get Involved

There are many ways to support CARITAS and help individuals on their path to recovery and independence:

Make a Donation: Help provide shelter, recovery services, job training and other essential services for those in need.
Donate Items: View Amazon wish lists by program or contribute gently used furniture and household goods to the Furniture Bank.
Volunteer Your Time: Support CARITAS through hands-on volunteer opportunities that make a meaningful impact.
Sponsor a CARITAS Event: Explore sponsorship opportunities or host your own community fundraising event.
Request a Furniture Pickup: Schedule a convenient furniture donation pickup to support families and individuals transitioning into stable housing.

Learn More

To explore the full scope of CARITAS’ work and discover how you can be part of their ongoing efforts to transform lives and strengthen communities, visit caritasva.org.