For 15 years, Julie Abbott has been the voice on the other end of the phone when people have called Catholic Charities Maine’s Relief and Hope Services.

During that time, she has spoken to thousands of people facing challenging situations: rent that is overdue, utilities soon to be shut off, a vehicle in need of repairs, even someone in need of a heart transplant who ended up homeless.

“Some of the people that call, I feel so bad for them. They’re poor, and they are lonely. It’s one thing to be either one or the other, but when you have few friends and no money, that is sad,” she says. “I want to help. I wish I could help more.”

Catholic Charities Maine can sometimes offer financial assistance, if only a small amount is needed. Oftentimes, however, what Julie aims to do is to educate people about available resources and help them make the necessary connections.

“Some people when they call, they’ve hit a crisis for the first time. Suddenly, they are flat broke, and they don’t know where to go. They may have had a great job, and then something happened. They got laid off. They got hurt, whatever,” says Deacon Frank Daggett, director of Parish Social Ministry for Catholic Charities Maine.

Julie developed a comprehensive resource list that includes government and community services, as well as diocesan parishes with social ministry programs and churches of other faiths. The hope is that, together, they can make a difference in someone’s life.

“She built that from scratch 15 years ago at a time when 2-1-1 Maine didn’t have the website that they do now, and even now, 
2-1-1 will sometimes refer people to us,” says Deacon Daggett. 

Over the years, Julie has spent nearly 5,000 hours trying to help those in need, and although she downplays her contributions, she was recently recognized as the Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) volunteer of the year.

“Julie’s gift of presence and attention allows struggling neighbors to retain their dignity even in their most distressing and vulnerable moments,” says CCUSA President and CEO Kerry Alys Robinson. “She is truly a good and faithful servant to those in need.”

Even when there isn’t much assistance to give, Julie says she is always ready to offer a listening ear.

“It feels good to listen and to try to give them support, comfort, and understanding,” she says.

She also won’t hesitate to pray with callers if it’s something they wish to do. She says being able to talk about Jesus is what first appealed to her about the volunteer opportunity.

 “I’m a Christian, and I think it’s important to try to evangelize,” she says.

“Julie is a woman of deep faith and sees her work with Catholic Charities as discipleship, sharing God’s concern for the poor and vulnerable,” says Deacon Daggett. “She brings the light of Christ into the darkest moments of people’s lives.”