The reasons which bring people to Caritas Austria's social counselling services are many: unemployment, loss of a home, debt, psychological distress, financial problems, addiction. Caritas listens, supports and does what it can to help. The goal of the centres is to give people a chance to take control of their lives again. The counselling service involves an extensive consultation and the centre often gives financial assitance to pay for groceries, clothing, furniture or debt repayment.
In 2008, around 41.000 people received aid in one of Caritas Austria's 33 social counselling centres. All in all, Caritas Austria has dispensed around 2,5 Million euros of emergency financial aid via its social counselling centres.
