Catholic Charities CYO of the Archdiocese of San Francisco

Founded in 1853, Catholic Charities San Francisco’s (CCSF) comprehensive services support families, aging and disabled adults, immigrants, and youth, reaching more than 70,000 people annually in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin Counties. It plays a key role in keeping community neighborhoods diverse, productive, safe, and healthy through more than 30 programs addressing Homelessness and Housing, Youth and Child Development, Aging Adults and Adults with Disabilities, Immigration Legal and Support Services, and Disaster Response and Humanitarian Services. In 1981, it gained national distinction as a first responder to the HIV/AIDS crisis in San Francisco; together with UCSF, it worked to end fetal transmission of HIV. In 2020-2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, CCSF’s frontline staff pivoted to provide learning hubs for isolated elementary-age children falling behind in school. CCSF is the largest social service provider in the Bay Area but remains a hidden secret. Its strategic planning has always focused inwardly as a guide for leadership and the board. Although it has comprehensive dashboard metrics, there is no external focus to share stories highlighting its impact as a change agent. In addition, although CCSF is a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit that operates independently from the Catholic Church, its relationship with the Catholic Church is often misunderstood. This can obfuscate the fact that it serves everyone and subsequently, impede donor support. CCSF’s question: Which of Catholic Charities’ social service areas create the best opportunity to increase awareness within the community?

Date and Time for this Session: Thursday, April 4 from 12-2pm Pacific