The Catholic Charities Network

Catholic Charities agencies throughout the country are an integral part of the safety net that keeps people from utter destitution.

Catholic Charities provide a continuum of services—food, shelter, supportive housing, clothing, financial assistance, and other forms of help—that give people a leg up when life has knocked them down.

This commitment goes beyond meeting peoples' daily needs. Catholic Charities also strive to strengthen families and build stronger communities by offering a variety of other programs such as counseling, immigration and refuge services, adoption, disaster response, child care, employment training, supports for seniors, and much more.

Catholic Charities services and programs also empower people to take charge of their lives and engage in determining their futures. In short, they provide help and create hope.

Catholic foundational values tell us that every human is worthy of dignity and respect. If any are in need, we share in the responsibility to help them.

Our Vision

Believing in the presence of God in our midst, we proclaim the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the person by sharing in the mission of Jesus given to the Church. To this end Catholic Charities works with individuals, families, and communities to help them meet their needs, address their issues, eliminate oppression, and build a just and compassionate society.

Our History

Catholic Charities has built its reputation as a strong and trusted network through more than 280 years of compassionate work in the United States.

Catholic Charities traces its roots back to 1727 when the French Ursuline Sisters opened an orphanage in New Orleans. Catholic institutions were also established in major cities along the east coast, providing homes and education for children whose parents were lost to disease and tragedies common in early America.

With the rise of immigration in the mid-1800s, the demand for Catholic charities increased dramatically. By the early 20th century, a Catholic Charities network had developed to provide social work and health care and serve as an advocate for the poor.

Catholic Charities Today

Today, Catholic Charities is recognized as one of the nation’s largest social service networks. More than 240,000 compassionate volunteers, staff, and board members comprise the driving force behind the Catholic Charities network that touches the lives of more than 7.8 million people of all faiths a year.

Ninety cents of every dollar donated to Catholic Charities agencies goes directly to programs and services, making the Catholic Charities network one of the most efficient in the country. Download Catholic Charities At A Glance (PDF).

The programs provided by Catholic Charities agencies themselves are as dynamic and diverse as the communities they serve. While every agency is unique, they share a common goal of providing the services and programs that their particular community needs the most.

Catholic Charities USA supports the work of local Catholic Charities agencies in their efforts to reduce poverty, support families, and empower communities. Located just outside the nation’s capital, the National Office enhances the network by serving as a national voice through federal advocacy and media efforts, networking opportunities, program development, training and technical assistance, and financial support.