History and Mission
Catholic Charities is the largest private social service organization in the Washington, D.C. area. Our mission is to strengthen the lives of those in need by giving help that empowers and hope that lasts. A new entity with a long history, Catholic Charities brings together the expertise of four outstanding social service agencies with deep roots in the community: Catholic Charities, Anchor Mental Health, the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute for people with developmental disabilities, and the Spanish Catholic Center.
Our Vision
Catholic Charities will be accessible to those in need by creating comprehensive, integrated and culturally competent services. We will be leaders of best practices. We will be recognized as an advocate for social justice. Our staff and volunteers will experience an environment where they can grow, contribute their best and value their investment in our mission.
Our Core Values
- We believe in the message of Jesus that brings love, hope and redemption.
- We affirm the sacredness and dignity of all human life.
- We cherish the racial and cultural diversity of our staff and those we serve.
- We expect uncompromising integrity in all we do.
- We pursue excellence.
- We pledge service to those in need regardless of background, belief or circumstance.
Our Work
Catholic Charities assists individuals and families in need, especially those who are most vulnerable. We believe in helping people develop the skills and strength to move from crisis or isolation to stability and growth. We focus on prevention when possible, intervention when needed, and advocacy when resources or opportunities are either inadequate or unfair. We are guided in this work by the richness of Catholic social teaching.
We are strengthened through partnerships with other providers, government agencies, foundations, businesses, individuals, schools, and churches, especially our Catholic parishes. We collaborate with these resources and other community assets to offer programs that are effective and fiscally sound.
Anchor Mental Health is based in Northeast Washington and has nine residential sites in the city. Monsignor John G. Kuhn founded Anchor Mental Health in 1958 as a drop-in social club for people struggling with mental illness. Since that time, Anchor has grown as the need for mental health services in the community has grown. Today it is a full-service community mental health center, which serves over 800 adults of all races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds with the common need of help for mental illness.
Catholic Charities celebrated 75 years of service to the community in 2004. Currently, Catholic Charities serves nearly 80,000 people annually at 28 different sites in Washington, suburban and southern Maryland. Providing a full-range of services for families and individuals, Catholic Charities offers housing, education, health and legal services, refugee and immigration, childcare, emergency assistance, food programs, foster care, pregnancy and adoption services, and more.
Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute is headquartered in Northeast Washington and provides a range of services for 600 people with developmental disabilities in Washington and the Maryland suburbs daily. Serving individuals from 6 to 87 years, Kennedy Institute offers education, career preparation and placements, community living, and family support for over 1,000 persons and their families, helping them live more fulfilling and productive lives in the community. Named for the elder brother of President John F. Kennedy, and with the blessing of the Kennedy family, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur started the Kennedy Institute as a special education school in 1959.
Spanish Catholic Center provides medical, dental, immigration, legal, education and social services to over 40,000 clients, primarily new Latino immigrants in Mt. Pleasant, Gaithersburg, and Langley Park. The Archdiocese of Washington founded the Spanish Catholic Center in 1967. Over the years, the Center has served immigrants from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe and all points in between. Dedicated staff accomplish their mission along with hundreds of professional volunteers who provide caring services on a regular basis. The Spanish Catholic Center was previously headed by Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Boston.