Catholic Community Service history

1974 – De LaSalle Vocational opens in Bensalem, Bucks County to offer court-adjudicated youth trade skills

1976 – Mercy Hospice opened as shelter for homeless women, most suffering from mental health issues

1977 Archbishop Raymond G. Hunthausen establishes the Office of Catholic Charities as an umbrella group to administer the archdiocese’s social programs.

1979 The Archdiocesan Housing Authority (AHA) is founded and incorporated.

1980’s – Community Living Arrangements (CLSs) established for high-functioning persons with intellectual disabilities

Incorporated in 1986 as Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., the agency functioned as the social service arm of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which is a religious organization.

1987 – Secretariat for Catholic Human Services established to unify administration of Catholic Social Services, Catholic Health Care Services, and Nutritional Development Services

1988 Catholic Charities is reincorporated as a separate corporate entity responsible for managing the social services and housing activities of the Church, with a Board of Trustees under the direct leadership of the Archbishop of Seattle.

1990’s – Services to Children in their Own Homes (SCH) established to facilitate family preservation

1991 – DelStar Program established by St Gabe’s System to treat juvenile sex offenders

Monsignor Gregory A. Cox, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc.,1993-present

1998 – Casa del Carmen opens low-cost day care, now a Star-4 quality preschool program called Casa Academy

1999 – Casa Carmen Aponte opens to provide affordable senior housing in Norris Square area of Philadelphia

The Catholic Charities Foundation of Western Washington, established in 2002, is a 501(c)3 that ensures the future care of the poorest and most vulnerable people in Western Washington served through the programs, shelters and services of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services.

2003 – St Vincent’s, Tacony shifts focus to care for dependent teen girls, with Mother-Baby and Maternity programs

2005 Archbishop Alex J. Brunett appoints an Episcopal Vicar for Catholic Charities.

2006 – Five Beacon afterschool programs established, now called Out of School Time Programs in multiple locations to provide free or low-cost academic and cultural enrichment to children in challenged neighborhoods

2008 – St John Neumann Place opens to provide affordable senior housing in former South Philadelphia high school

During 2009, a reorganization of programs in CCS and CHS took place.

2010 Archbishop Alex J. Brunett appoints the Very Reverend Gary Zender as Episcopal Vicar for Charities and Chair of the Boards of Trustees for CCS/CHS.

2013 – In-Home Support Program opens in South Philadelphia in partnership with Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

2014 – Operating Base Cecilia opened with partner Veterans Multi-Service Center to support homeless veterans

2015 – CHCS launches St Mary Medical Center Collaborative to provide in-home supports after hospital discharge

2016 Archbishop J. Peter Sartain appoints Dennis O’Leary, Executive Director of the Chancery, to be Chair of the Boards of Trustees for CCS/CHS.