Catholic Charities of Dallas celebrated its 100th year of continuous service to families in 1991, tracing its origin to the first diocesan orphanage, St. Joseph Home, which began in 1891. Then, as Catholic Charities USA celebrated its centennial in October 2010, Catholic Charities of Dallas was happy to share with the community that they were moving into their 120^th year serving those in need in the community.

Catholic Charities of Dallas, itself, was formally established in March of 1941 by the joining of the Diocesan orphanages – Dunne Memorial Home for Boys and the St. Joseph’s Home for Girls, the Catholic Home Welfare Service, the Marillac Free Clinic and Social Center as well as Mount St. Michael’s.

FAMILY SERVICE CENTERS – ELDERLY AND FAMILY SERVICES; CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Marillac Social Center began in 1918 as an outgrowth of the St. Paul Hospital Free Clinic under the direction of Sister Brendan, a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, who received the prized Linz Award for her service to the poor and marginalized. In 1970, the center moved to far West Dallas to provide service to a large number of needy Mexican Americans. Today, Marillac offers support to families through a licensed day care center, an extensive senior citizens program, youth activities, and emergency assistance.

By helping to meet the needs of the under-served, Brady Center continues to fulfill its purpose of serving low-income families and the older adult community in the East Dallas area in a caring and supportive environment through the provision of direct services and advocacy on their behalf. From its humble beginnings in 1983 as a convent where a Daughter of Charity distributed bread and canned goods from the front door, the Brady Center continually and consistently supports the community through its variety of programs. Brady Center exists to provide assistance, education, and access to resources for low-income families and older adults in the East Dallas area.

Cross Family Center began in October 1999, serving the South Dallas and Oak Cliff areas on the property of Holy Cross Catholic Church. The Older Adult Program provides a safe environment for Seniors to gather for educational and social activities. The Emergency Assistance Program provides financial assistance and access to the Parish Emergency food pantry. The Hispanic Women’s Program was added in September of 2001 and provides an opportunity for the women to meet, socialize and support one another as well as take classes for personal growth and improvement of self-esteem.

In 1993, a storefront building for Jefferson Family Assistance Center (emergency assistance) was opened at 1924 Jefferson in Oak Cliff. From this location, financial assistance for housing and utilities, food, and referrals are made. The Jefferson Family Assistance Center is an outreach of the Marillac Social Center.

The People and Nutrition (PAN) Program is the local manifestation of the USDA Commodities Supplement Food Program that provides supplemental food to the elderly, pregnant and postpartum women, and children up to age 6. The North Texas Food Bank contracts with Catholic Charities of Dallas to provide the case management/certification of participants in the PAN Program

CHILDREN & ADOPTION SERVICES AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Community Outreach Services works quietly in the background, strengthening families one at a time. The program’s purpose is to empower individuals, couples, and families through short-term assistance and long-term empowerment for self-management.

The Maternity and Adoption program dates back to the earliest efforts by Catholic Charities of Dallas to care for children in the late 1800s. The program establishes permanent homes for children under the age of five years. Birthmothers, birthfathers, and their families are counseled on the options available to them – motherhood or adoption – and counseling continues through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and post-adoption.

REFUGEE AND EMPOWERMENT SERVICES

In the late 1970s, Catholic Charities of Dallas formed Refugee and Empowerment Services (RES), a refugee resettlement service operating under the auspices of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) contract with the federal government. Since the late 1980s, RES has operated as a full refugee service agency through Refugee Social Services and Targeted Assistance Grant funding, administered and managed by the TDHS Office of Immigration and Refugee Affairs. RES welcomes refugees, those in asylum, and victims of trafficking with encouragement and understanding, advocates on their behalf, and provides quality service programs that lead them to self-sufficiency.

The World of Goods Resale Store is a resource provider that helps newly-arriving legal refugees with their essential household needs and also assists families in crisis in the local community. The agency was established in 1998 and is funded through the operation of a resale store and contributions. In 2001, the Retail and Life Skills Program was added for Refugee and Immigrant Women and provides adult vocational training and life skills in order to mainstream these women into the America workplace. Students in the program gain experience by training in the resale store of Charities Home Center.

IMMIGRATION AND LEGAL SERVICES

Immigration and Legal Services Division (ILS) was established in 1975 during Msgr. Kilian Broderick’s tenure as Catholic Charities of Dallas Executive Director. Msgr. Broderick, who is a lawyer, observed the need for immigration legal counseling and representation among the growing Mexican population in the Dallas area at the time. The program obtained accreditation from the Department of Justice (DOJ) in November 1976. ILSD advocates for fair and humane policies towards immigrants and provides low cost, competent counseling and representation to low-income immigrants who reside in North Texas. Each year, approximately 11,000 clients receive counseling.

CENTRAL OFFICE

A Central Office was established in 1940 to act as the cooperating agency between these service agencies and the Community Chest of Dallas, the forerunner of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and to provide social work support services. It now provides services for its programs through shared management, personnel, purchasing, accounting, marketing, fund raising, and record-keeping.