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Who We Are

We create lasting solutions to the most pressing challenges in our community

Catholic Charities is one of the largest, most comprehensive human services agencies in Northern California reaching more than 70,000 people annually in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin Counties. We are an integral part of our communities and play a role in keeping our neighborhoods diverse, productive, safe, and healthy through more than 30 programs and social justice advocacy.

We create lasting solutions to the most pressing challenges in our community – homelessness, inequality, aging in isolation, generational poverty, HIV/AIDS, and immigration to name a few. Tough issues we face with determination, grit, tenacity, and collaborative problem-solving with those we serve. Our results change lives.

Homelessness & Housing

Vision

Catholic Charities is committed to changing lives in our parishes and the communities we serve; Promoting a fulfilling and supportive workplace; Involving the community in carrying out our mission.

Mission

Founded in 1853 and rooted in our faith traditions of charity and justice, Catholic Charities supports families, aging and disabled adults, and youth through social service and opportunities for healthy growth and development.
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Values

Respect
Compassion
Accountability

Since its inception, Catholic Charities has reached out to all people in need regardless of religion, race, creed, or gender. In fact, the majority of our clients and employees are not Catholic. Our clients represent all of us: individuals, families, children, adults, and seniors. We welcome everyone with compassion, understanding, and respect.

For 170 years we have served our community, no matter what the crisis.

Here are some significant dates in our agency’s history:

1

1853

We opened St. Vincent’s School for Boys as an orphanage during the aftermath of the Gold Rush, wars, and other crises in California.

2

1920

Children orphaned as a result of the influenza pandemic were housed and cared for.

3

1985

People sick and dying during the AIDS epidemic were treated with compassion and dignity.

4

1989

San Franciscans were sheltered and cared for after the Loma Prieta earthquake.

5

2017

Hundreds of neighbors and first responders found relief during these devastating wildfires.

6

2020

Thousands of individuals and families are being fed, housed, and supported during COVID.

Our Faith

Catholic Charities was founded and thrives today on the social teachings of the Catholic Church. Though associated with the San Francisco Archdiocese, we operate independently as a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We do not directly contribute funds to the church.

Our Impact

From an individual to a program to our agency, Catholic Charities sets goals for improvement, knowing the impact on each individual has much larger implications. City, county, and state-wide statistics about the populations we serve drive our commitment to each person that walks through our doors.

How is Catholic Charities affiliated with the Archdiocese of San Francisco?

Catholic Charities San Francisco was founded more than 170 years ago, established in 1853 to meet social service needs of our Bay Area community through the Mission of strengthening families and reducing poverty by serving people of all cultures and beliefs.

Our values remain compassion, accountability, and respect. We have been serving the most vulnerable in our community continuously ever since. Today, while we operate as a completely separate entity, the Archdiocese is our partner, aligning with our work to support our mission-driven staff and partner organizations across San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties as we share our message of peace and hope to a world in need.

Your tax-deductible donation to Catholic Charities directly supports our work to provide services for the most vulnerable population in our community.

Your Impact On Our Community

Serving Everyone,
One Person At a Time

Catholic Charities sets goals for improvement with clients at an individual level, our programs, and the agency as a whole; knowing the impact on each individual has much larger implications. City, county, and state-wide statistics about the populations we serve drive our commitment to each person that walks through our doors.

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Volunteers in 2022
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People we helped in 2022
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Funds we distributed in 2022

Meet Our Team

Leadership

Ellen

Ellen Hammerle, Ph.D, LMFT​

CEO

Tom Bowen

Thomas
Bowen

CPO

Cheryl Ewers at SRK Headshot Day

Cheryl Ewers,
MBA

CFO