Our mission to serve the poor and vulnerable has endured for decades and continues to make a positive impact in the 46 counties of western North Carolina. Through our mission, guided by the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching, we strive to make a positive impact and bring hope to those in need. Follow our journey in monthly articles published in the Catholic News Herald to mark our 75th anniversary.
1948
On April 24, Bishop Vincent S. Waters of the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh establishes the Bureau of Catholic Charities to provide social services and assistance to the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized. Since 1910, Catholic Charities USA has guided and supported a national network of over 160 local charities across the United States.
1949
The diocese opens a Catholic Charities branch office in Charlotte staffed by three sisters from the Missionary Servants of the Blessed Trinity, an order of Roman Catholic sisters devoted to education, health care, and social services. The office provides pregnancy support, maternity care, foster care, and adoption services.
Fr. Michael Begley, director of Catholic Charities, begins resettling 1,900 refugees from war-torn Europe after World War II.
1954
Catholic Charities is first licensed as a child-placing agency by the State of North Carolina.
1962
Bishop Waters changes the agency name to Catholic Social Services, Inc.
1973
After the formation of the Diocese of Charlotte, Bishop Michael J. Begley sets up Catholic Social Services to serve people in need across the 46 counties of western North Carolina.
1980
Elizabeth Thurbee is the first layperson hired by the Trinitarian sisters to head the agency’s adoption program. She eventually rose to head the entire agency before retiring in 2010.
During her tenure, programs such as burial assistance, mental health counseling services, Elder Ministry, family life services, the food pantry, refugee resettlement, and educational programs for the Office of Justice and Peace evolve.
1982
The Western Branch Office opens in Asheville.
1983
The Piedmont Triad Office opens in Winston-Salem.
2013
Bishop Peter J. Jugis renames the agency to Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, renewing its roots in the Church’s long history of charitable outreach.
2016
Catholic Charities expands its outreach from immediate aid to providing a comprehensive range of “wrap-around” services to people in need.
2020
Catholic Charities redoubles its outreach efforts to help thousands impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today
Catholic Charities assists individuals and families in need by distributing food and clothing and providing homeless prevention, family enrichment, refugee resettlement and immigration, burial assistance programs, and more.
All services are provided either free of charge or on a sliding fee scale, regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion.
Although the Catholic Church’s charitable outreach has operated under various legal names since the 1940s, the essential mission of charity work has remained constant.