Catholic Community Services of Utah
The Catholic Community Services is a ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. Its purpose is to serve the needs of the poor, troubled and oppressed, and helps them solve life problems, and become self-sufficient and healthy. It is a member of the National organization Catholic Charities. Its Main Office is located at 745 E. 300 South Salt Lake City, Utah.
History
Catholic Community Services (CCS) was established in 1945 when Most Rev. Duane G. Hunt of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City recognized the need for an organized effort to assist the poor. He established a local branch of the Catholic Charities. A tiny office was opened on the upper floor of the red brick house next to the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Msgr. Joseph P. Moreton, the first Executive Director, implemented various programs including: adoption, foster care, family counseling, supplementary aid and transient relief. Some of the significant milestones occurring during the over sixty years of service are: 1945-Started adoption, poverty assistance, foster care, family counseling and transient relief programs. 1951-Became a United Way agency. 1967-Opened The St. Vincent DePaul thrift shop. Started the Soup Kitchen to serve sandwiches to the homeless 1982-Northern Utah services offered in Ogden. 1996-New Bishop William K. Weigand Resource Center for the Homeless opened. 2001-Northern Utah operations officially designated as Food Bank[1]
Programs
CCS of Utah currently delivers a comprehensive array of social services.
Treatment services
- St. Mary's Treatment Center for Men is a 39-bed residential treatment facility designed to return men experiencing drug or alcohol dependency problems to productive and meaningful participation in society.
- Women's Treatment offers comprehensive outpatient substance abuse treatment to women. Dependent children also receive support while their mothers journey toward independence.
Immigrant and refugee resettlement
- Refugee Resettlement relocates hundreds of refugees fleeing persecution each year. The program guides refugees toward self-reliance by providing medical assistance, locating employment opportunities and finding housing for six months following arrival. CCS of Utah is an affiliate of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and of the Office of Migration and Refugee Services.
- The Immigration program helps immigrants reunite with loved ones, find English classes and assists with naturalization documents.
- Refugee Foster Care provides unaccompanied minor refugees and victims of human trafficking with a stable home and helps them adjust to a new life in the United States.
Basic needs services
Salt Lake City
- The St. Vincent de Paul Dining Hall serves thousands of hot, nutritious meals to individuals in need every week.
- The Weigand Day Center offers a safe place for homeless individuals to stay cool or get warm during the day. Patrons may also take hot showers, wash their clothing and obtain legal aid among other services.
- CCS' Emergency Assistance Program provides low income individuals and families with food, clothing and utility aid to help them work toward self-sufficiency.
Ogden
- The Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank provides food for people in need and delivers baskets to seniors and those with disabilities.
- Homeless Prevention Services helps low-income individuals and families make ends meet so they may keep their homes.
- St. Martha's Baby Project equips low-income parents with infant layettes.
Management
- BOARD OFFICERS:
Most Rev. John C. Wester, Chairman of the Board; Robert Steiner, President; Kevin Potts, Vice President; Stephen A. Felsted, Treasurer; Bradford R. Drake, Executive Director
- BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Carole Carter, Andres Rosenada Cepero, Rebecca Dean Duberow, Peter Evans, Rev. Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, Robert Fotheringham, Chris Hill, Meghan Holbrook, Josh Pederson, Robert Rendon, Christina Richards, Rev. Andrzej Skrzypiec, Mary Jane Taylor, Rev. Javier Virgen, Matt Wilson, Robert Wright