“Catholic Charities is an outreach ministry of the Archdiocese of Atlanta rooted in the Gospel, serving people of all backgrounds and religions, with a special concern for those most in need and most vulnerable. As an agent of compassion and hope, Catholic Charities, calls on people to embrace charity and justice.”

Description:
The primary purpose of Catholic Charities is to provide human (social) services to the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the community of North Georgia.

Program Highlights

Community Outreach Centers in five locations provide services in English and Spanish to low income clients.

The services provided are:
• Information and Referral
• Social Advocacy
• Assistance with job-readiness and job-applications
• Job referrals/placement (matching skills with jobs)
• English as a Second Language (ESL), computer, and civics classes
• Cultural Orientation and translation assistance.

Immigration Services provides legal assistance to low income aliens. The program helps immigrants who qualify to gain status in the US. Program staff are specialists in protecting victims of physical and emotional abuse, children in distress and persons seeking asylum.

Migration & Refugee Services program provides resettlement services to newly arrived refugees in Atlanta, as well as a broad range of support services to develop empowerment for refugee families.



The Emergency Assistance program provides housing assistance, case management and information and referral services to people displaced by natural disasters and other crises.
The program also provides housing counseling services for those at risk of losing their home to mortgage foreclosure or rental eviction, as well as potential home buyers.

Pregnancy, Parenting & Adoption Services provides support and services to birthparents, adoptive parents and families within an “open adoption” philosophy, centered on the best interest of the child.
Village of St.Joseph Counseling Services provides affordable and professional counseling services for children, adolescents, parents, individuals, couples and families throughout metro Atlanta and N.Georgia.

History:
In 1953 Catholic Social Services was incorporated whose purpose was to:

Coordinate social services with the spiritual services of the Church.

Refer families and individuals to other Health & Welfare Agencies in the community.

Provide counseling services to individuals and families.With the arrival of Cuban Refugees in 1964, a Latin American Resettlement Director was appointed to assist in the resettlement of Cuban Refugees in Atlanta.

In 1972 the Archdiocesan Poverty Program, called Operation “Eye Opener” began. Action programs such as day care, housing, family-to-family and domestic workers were developed.
Mountain Social Services began in 1983.

The Athens Community Outreach Center opened in 1980.

In January 2003, CSS Counseling Services and the Village of St. Joseph Family Counseling were merged into a single expanded program under the administrative leadership of CSS.

After a three year process, CSS was accredited by COA, in January 2005.

In July of 2006, Catholic Social Services, Inc. changed it's name to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Inc.

Contact people:

Margaret Prickett, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Jutta Hanson, Public Relations Coordinator, (phone), (email) Joseph Galvin, Administrator Of Service Programs, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (404) 888-7816

Address:

680 West Peachtree St NW Atlanta, GA 30308 (See a map)

Web Site: http://catholiccharitiesatlanta.org/

Directions:

Directions to Catholic Center, 680 West Peachtree ST, NW , Atlanta, GA 30308 From 75/85 Northbound. Take Exit 249 D, Spring St. and West Peachtree St., stay in left lane. Cross Spring St. Turn left onto West Peachtree. Go to Fourth ST. Turn left on Fourth ST. Go one block to Spring ST. Turn left on Spring ST. Stay in left lane. Immediately past Third St. turn into Archdiocese of Atlanta Catholic Center parking lot, which is surrounded by a green chain link fence. From 75 Southbound Take the 16th, 14th, 10th St Exit Follow the access road to 10th street Turn Left onto 10th, drive over the interstate, at the second light Turn Right onto Spring ST Immediately past Third ST, turn left into the Catholic Center parking lot From 85 Southbound Take the 17th, 14th, 10th St Exit Follow the access road to 10th street Turn Left onto 10th, drive over the interstate, at the second light Turn Right onto Spring ST Immediately past Third ST, turn left into the Catholic Center parking lot If you live in Atlanta: The Catholic Center Parking lot is on Spring St, between Third St and Ponce de Leon. This is one block North of the Varsity, one block West of the Fox Theater.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: North Avenue,   Walk distance (in minutes): 1   Nearest Bus Stop: North Avenue, 1 minute walk

Additional Information

How did you hear about Volunteer Solutions?
	United Way (website, staff, etc.)
UWMA Impact Area Alignment:
	Low Income Individuals/Families, People At Risk, Youth (ages 7-17)