As a Housing Case Manager for Catholic Charities of Philadelphia (CCoP), Lisa Radano does much more than provide housing case management and services to the unhoused and unsheltered in the City of Chester.
Inspired by the Blessed Virgin Mary, she often becomes a dear friend, even while simultaneously managing a case load clients measured in the dozens.
Dennis was one of Radano’s many memorable clients. An older, single gentleman, Dennis, had a challenging personality. Yet, Radano continually looked for ways to connect with him.
On the morning of one of their regular appointments, Radano called Dennis and asked if there was anything she could bring him.
Dennis requested a McDonald’s coffee. Radano brought him the coffee, and “he was ecstatic,” she said.
Dennis’ whole demeanor was changed by the small, yet thoughtful gesture. For the first time, he opened himself up to Radano.
She continued to bring Dennis coffee at every appointment.
Radano worked with Dennis over the course of several years, and as he became increasingly frail and started walking with a cane, she helped him to meet his monthly rental payments by purchasing and mailing money orders on his behalf, since he wasn’t mobile and wasn’t able to pay bills online.
When Dennis was diagnosed with cancer and sent to hospice care in Northeast Philadelphia, Radano visited him regularly to lift his spirits.
After Dennis’ passing, Radano reached out to assist his daughter. She called Radano a few days later, asking if Radano could pick up Dennis’ cremated remains in Northeast Philadelphia and bring them home to her in Delaware County.
Reflecting on that day, Radano felt it was “a great honor to be asked” to deliver Dennis’ cremains home and found it “a very humbling experience.”
Radano has worked for CCoP in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since earning a bachelor’s degree in social work from Georgian Court University in 1998.
She started as a referral specialist, helping the elderly, pregnant women and those needing counseling services, food or help paying utility bills. She connected them with the necessary community and government programs.
She has spent the last 12 years in her current role as a housing case manager at CCoP’s Delaware County Family Service Center, working in conjunction with the Office of Adult and Family Services in Delaware County. Family Service Centers are the first point of contact for individuals, families, and parishes when they seek assistance from CCoP.
She says her goal is to get the unhoused into housing as soon as possible, moving them “off the street unsheltered, or out of a shelter and open up spots for other people.”
The help Radano provides ranges from finding apartments, arranging home inspections through HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), coordinating leases with landlords, reviewing leases and helping to secure financials.
“It’s amazing to see them get their keys for the first time and open that door,” says Radano of her clients. “They can start fresh.”
Though her clients have very limited income, Radano works with different community programs to help her clients acquire furniture, and occasionally people donate Walmart or Target gift cards to her office, which helps clients to purchase necessities, including towels, shower curtains, and kitchenware.
“I find it to be very rewarding, when I can help them with the other things many people take for granted” says Radano of her work.
Raised in the Catholic faith and now sharing her faith with her children, Radano says she’s always “been service oriented” and “wanted to help people.”
“I talk to Mary a lot,” she says of her devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mother. In challenging situations, Radano prays to Mary for intercession.
“I’ll say a Hail Mary, and the next day, a landlord will call and say they’ll work with us,” or a similar miracle will take place, she says.
Without the generous works of her CSS office, Radano says the people she serves would be at risk of “having no other safety net.”
When talking with clients, Radano says she often realizes that “one day, this could be me.”
“Some of us are just a paycheck away from not making a mortgage payment or a rent check, or it takes a big car repair to put us in the negative,” she said.
Thankfully, through Radano’s generous giving of self without judgment – made possible through her Catholic faith – those in need in Delaware County are made to feel comfortable and safe.
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This piece was previously published in Catholic Charities of Philadelphia’s Annual Report. View the full report here.
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