ABOUT US

Overview

For over 50 years, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County has changed lives for good by helping strengthen families and building economic self-sufficiency. Each year we serve 27,000 poor and vulnerable individuals of all cultures and beliefs through a broad base of programs including housing services, job skills training and placement, older adult services, mental health and substance abuse counseling, financial education, immigration, refugee resettlement, and children and youth services and education.

Our compassion and commitment extend beyond direct service to those in need, and compel us to address the root causes of poverty in Santa Clara County through our Social Policy education and advocacy efforts.

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County is affiliated with the Diocese of San Jose, as its social service arm, and works with parishes to build partnerships and increase their capacity for service. However, the agency is separately incorporated, is self-funded and operates as an independent nonprofit organization with a CEO, Board of Directors, and separate financial structure.

The agency is a voluntary member of Catholic Charities USA, the nation’s largest social services network, which serves over 7 million people each year.

Catholic Charities is a non-profit, non-discriminatory service organization and employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability. Persons receiving services in our programs are entitled to freedom from harassment and retaliation and reasonable accommodation for qualified disabilities.

Mission

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County serves and advocates for families and individuals in need, especially those living in poverty. Rooted in gospel values, we work to create a more just and compassionate community in which people of all cultures and beliefs can participate.

Divisions and Service Areas

Catholic Charities operates more than 45 services in the following areas:

Behavioral Health

• Employment Services
• Navigator Project
• Supportive Housing Case Management
• Treatment Services

Economic Development

• Employment Services
• Housing/Financial Education Services
• Immigration Legal Services
• Refugee Services

Older Adults

• Caregiver Support Services
• Long Term Care Support Services
• Senior Community Services

Educational Services

• Communities Organizing Resources to Advance Learning (CORAL)
• Family Programs
• FIRST 5 – West Region and Northeast Region
• Leadership, Ethnic, and Academic Pride (LEAP) Project
• Raising A Reader

Youth and Family Services

• Gang Prevention Programs
• Intervention Programs
• Kinship Resource Center (formerly GCRC)
• Truancy Program
• Washington United Youth Center
• Young Women’s Empowerment Project

Community and Parish Partnerships

• Parish Social Ministry
• Social Policy

Positive Outcome for Our Clients

• 1,300 individuals and families received nearly $1.4 million in tax refunds through our free tax services, $650,000 of which was Earned Income Tax Credit for the working poor.
  
  
• More than 12,000 frail elderly people in skilled nursing and residential care facilities received visits and had help resolving complaints about their care.
  
  
• Over 400 at-risk youth participated in support groups and other activities designed to keep them safe and help them make healthy life choices.
  
  

• 100% of the seniors who participated in our adult day care and respite services remained in the home and out of institutional care, while all of their families reported reduced levels of stress.
  
  
• Children in some of the lowest performing schools received over 185,000 hours of literacy instruction during the school year and improved their reading levels.
  
  
• More than 200 refugees from 24 countries participated in our resettlement and employment programs.
  
  
• Even in a competitive job market, 115 individuals with severe mental illness were placed in jobs with an average hourly wage of $10.54.
  
  
• Over 200 families who had experienced severe difficulties—including violence, incarceration, and homelessness—received intensive services that improved the well-being of both parents and children.
  
  
• More than 700 relative caregivers of children and youth received the support needed to provide stable, secure homes and a good education for them.
  
  
• Hundreds of seniors attending our community centers improved their health and sense of community through our nutrition, fitness, health education, and social activities.
  
  
• Nearly all of the individuals in our counseling and treatment programs avoided hospitalization and homelessness.

Agency Leadership

Gregory R. Kepferle, Chief Executive Officer
Margaret Williams, Chief Administrative and Financial Officer
Magi Young, Chief Development Officer
Deborah Baker, Director of Human Resources
Marilou Cristina, Director of Older Adult Services
Ellen Dumesnil, Director of Economic Development Services
Kitty Mason, Director of Behavioral Health Services
Maritza Maldonado, Director of Educational Services
Andrea Villaseñor-Perry, Director of Youth and Family Services
Elizabeth Lilly, Director of Community and Parish Partnerships

Main Service Sites

Catholic Charities also operates at more than 60 other sites throughout Santa Clara County including schools, neighborhood and senior centers, shelters, housing developments, skilled nursing facilities and residential care homes, partner agency offices, and parishes.

Revenue

Total Revenue FY05-06: $14.2 million. Revenue sources:

• 48%   Government Grants
• 17%   Individual Donors
• 7%     Bequests
• 15%   Foundations/Corporate Donors
• 7%     Fees for Service
• 2%     United Way
• 4%     Investment Income and Other

Eighty (80) percent of revenue is spent directly on programs.

Click here to view/download our Form 990 from Guidestar.

We are very grateful for the continued generosity and support of our many donors, both individuals and institutional, as well as the hundreds of volunteers who offer their hearts and talents each year. We could not do our work without your support each year.

Employees