Catholic Charities Celebrates 75 Years of Service
Catholic Charities of Central Washington is celebrating 75 years of unwavering dedication to the communities of Central Washington, with a continuing focus on providing hope and help to the most vulnerable individuals and families.
For the last 75 years, our communities' needs— here in Central Washington and across the country—have changed. In 1949, what we now call Catholic Charities was known as the Yakima’s Children’s Bureau and later, Catholic Family & Child Service. The mission in the early years focused on providing adoptive homes for children, and safe caring foster homes for those experiencing abuse and neglect. Since then, Catholic Charities has added services and programs that support and assist individuals and families throughout their lives. From PREPARES, a volunteer-based program providing support and family companionship to expectant and young families, to Senior Services, helping the elderly maintain independence, Catholic Charities continues to serve the poor and most vulnerable, bringing hope to life for all.
One of the most significant changes in Catholic Charities services occurred in 1978 when they began providing mental health counseling. These services opened doors for many who had been struggling silently with mental health and behavioral issues impacting the quality of life for them and their children. Today, throughout Central Washington, Catholic Charities provides counseling and support services to more than 10,000 individuals, including programs for children, teens, adults, families, and seniors—as well as crisis response and support services for people who are homeless and those affected by psychosis.
Catholic Charities addressed another significant community need when Carroll Children’s Center was opened in 1989. Providing high-quality care and early education to infants and young children, Carroll Children’s Center was highly coveted and continued to grow to accommodate the need for quality childcare and education. The early learning classrooms—serving infants to preschoolers—focus on all the needs of the child: social, emotional, educational, and health, as well as provide support to parents. In 2018, the Growing Hope Child & Family Development Center opened, consolidating the Early Learning programs, and expanding services to low-income families and young children at risk for abuse and neglect.
Just over twenty-five years ago—in December 1998—Catholic Charities established what is now called Catholic Charities Housing Services, offering affordable housing and homeownership solutions throughout Central Washington. Today, Catholic Charities Housing Services has helped nearly 1,100 families find a place to call home, with 30 multi-family housing properties serving farmworkers, seniors, the disabled, and those at risk for homelessness. In addition, 236 families have taken a path out of poverty through Catholic Charities Housing Services sweat equity homeownership models, building assets and opportunities for themselves and their families.
“Access to safe and affordable housing is crucial for the growth and vitality of our rural communities throughout central Washington, explained Bryan Ketcham, Vice President and Director of Housing Services. “Over the past 25 years, our efforts have made a significant impact: every night, more than 5,000 people in central Washington return to a secure and affordable home. We are proud to bring hope and opportunity to so many, working to alleviate poverty, one family at a time.”
Reflecting on past years and the work Catholic Charities currently provides, Darlene Darnell, President and CEO of Catholic Charities added, “We have a staff of nearly 500, thousands of volunteers, and programs throughout Central Washington that serve children, youth, families, and seniors in need; it is a privilege to continue to bring hope to 65,000 individuals this year.”
Gala Celebration
Join Catholic Charities as they celebrate their 75th Anniversary Gala Dinner on September 27. This exciting event includes a no-host cocktail reception and hors d’oeuvres, a surf and turf dinner with wine and dessert, and live music with the band LTD.
Tickets are $125 per person, and cocktail attire is recommended.
To attend this special evening, contact Julie Heilman at 509.853.1303 or purchase tickets online at catholiccharitiescw.org by September 20.
