Catholic Community Services celebrates 65 years

Courtesy Photo CCS

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Our earliest days in 1945 when we primarily did adoptions. We were Catholic Charities then.

SALT LAKE CITY – Catholic Community Services (CCS) will celebrate its 65th anniversary in conjunction with Catholic Charities USA’s 100th anniversary at the annual CCS benefit dinner “65 Years of Stories,” Nov. 10 at Little America Hotel.

“We have been providing help and creating hope for people for 65 years,” said Kathryn Brussard, CCS director of development and marketing.

CCS changed its name from Catholic Charities in 1981 to better describe its expanded social service programs. However, it still is affiliated with the national organization, which celebrated its centennial last month with a gathering in Washington, D.C. At that event, the organization president, Father Larry Snyder said they will always provide a safety net for people, and they want to create a trampoline of opportunity.

In fitting with the local anniversary, all of the honorees for this year’s dinner represent an aspect of CCS’s history, Brussard said.

The Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City, will be honored as the Humanitarian of the Year for his work as chairman of the United States Council of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration. Also being honored are Pamela Atkinson, an advocate for the underserved and a former CCS board member; Maggie St. Clair, who served as CCS executive director from 2002-2008; and Sister Julie Beck, Relief Society president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As its Unsung Heroes, CCS will honor the Osborn family of West Valley City, who have three Burmese foster children who are not siblings living in their home.

Vicar General Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, a CCS board member and former executive director praised some of the honorees. “Bishop Wester knows and understands the issues and facts of immigration refugee resettlement and he can reflect the Catholic Church tradition, our position, respecting the refugees and at the same time respecting the law,” he said, and “Maggie St. Clair was excellent at community relations,” while “Sister Beck represents the humanitarian work of, especially, the women in the LDS Church.”

CCS is the social justice arm of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Msgr. Fitzgerald said. It began in 1945 when Bishop Duane G. Hunt formerly incorporated Catholic Charities in Utah. In 1946 the agency was a member of the Community Chest; in 1951 it became a member of United Way. The agency was to serve needy persons, irrespective of race or creed and to help serve the more complicated social needs of Utah’s diverse population.

Msgr. Joseph P. Moreton was the first executive director, serving from 1945 to 1954. In 1955, CCS established services for the transient and emergency services. In 1967, the St. Vincent DePaul thrift shop and soup kitchen opened serving sandwiches. Refugee resettlement was started by then-Father Terence Moore in 1974; refugee foster care began a year later. In 1982, CCS expanded to offer services in northern Utah.

A fire destroyed the St. Vincent de Paul facilities in 1986; they were rebuilt and opened a year later.

In 1993, Alsam Foundation helped build the homeless day center and in 1994, St. Mary’s Home for Men joined the CCS family. In 1995 a home was established for persons with HIV/AIDS. Northern Utah was officially designated as a Food Bank in 2001.

In 2007, the residential treatment programs and administrative offices were moved into one building. Fr. Snyder was in Utah for that occasion and was very supportive, Brussard said, adding, “He has been Catholic Charities USA president since 2005, and sends his congratulations to CCS for our 65th celebration.”

The annual benefit dinner is CCS’ only fundraising event. All the proceeds go directly to the programs because the cost of the dinner is underwritten by sponsors.

The annual benefit dinner will be held at Little America Hotel on Nov. 10. The social hour will start at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $150 per person and it is business attire.