About us

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County changes lives for good. As the social service and social justice ministry of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of San Jose, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County works toward building a just and compassionate community with all people in a changing Santa Clara County. Rooted in gospel values, we help people of all cultures and beliefs rise up out of poverty and overcome the barriers to self-sufficiency and wellness. Because most lives are a complex pattern of choices and circumstances, we take a holistic approach to helping people change their lives, taking into account the whole person, as well as their family and life situations. We do this in three ways.

First, we alleviate the conditions of chronic poverty through food, housing assistance, access to benefits, senior services, and mental health services.

Second, we reduce the effects of situational poverty by providing jobs, immigration legal services, refugee foster care, financial literacy, and asset development.

Third, we prevent the cycle of generational poverty through early childhood development, parenting support, after-school enhanced learning, and youth empowerment. We strengthen our communities through parish and community engagement, immigrant and refugee integration, and neighborhood development services. Each year, we serve more than 86,000 people in need, including through our affiliate Charities Housing Development Corporation.

Our compassion and commitment go beyond direct service and compel us to address the root causes of poverty. We have launched Footsteps: Pathways to Self-sufficiency as a family-centered community change strategy to disrupt generational poverty.

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County has been serving and advocating for individuals and families for more than 67 years. While we are affiliated with the Diocese of San Jose, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County is a separately incorporated nonprofit agency and operates independently with a CEO, Board of Directors, and separate financial structure. We are part of the nation's largest social services network through our affiliation with Catholic Charities USA, which serves more than 15 million people each year.

"Tracing its roots back as far as 1929, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (CCSCC)  is a San José-based nonprofit that has worked for decades to strengthen families and build economic self-sufficiency for the poor and vulnerable in the County. We now serve more than 100,000 people annually in key areas of need: Food, Housing, Health, Education, and Economic Security. Our 30+ direct service programs include employment, meals and food distribution, older adult services, mental health and wellness, immigration legal services, homeless services and supportive housing, after-school expanded learning, youth and family services, and refugee foster care.  Services are provided at 90+ community locations, supported by 550 staff and 2,000 volunteers. CCSCC’s staff reflect the diversity of Santa Clara County; nearly 85% are people of color and nearly 80% women, and cumulatively speak nearly 30 languages and dialects. Many are themselves residents of the neighborhoods and communities we serve, fostering deep understanding and connection with local needs and program participants.

CCSCC is an anchor institution in the Silicon Valley and the region’s largest provider of human services. The organization is affiliated with the Diocese of San José as its social service arm, but is separately incorporated with a separate financial structure and governed by an independent board of directors comprising regional leaders in business, technology, education, health care, legal, and more. Our current annual budget of over $50M incorporates a robust mix of government, foundation, corporate, and community grants, and program service fees, plus in-kind and individual donor support. In addition, the agency has an affiliated and separately incorporated housing development arm, Charities Housing Development Corporation, which manages 26 affordable housing locations across the County." 

Mission

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County serves and advocates for individuals and families in need, especially those living in poverty. Rooted in gospel values, we work to create a more just and compassionate community in which people of all cultures and beliefs can participate and prosper.

Vision

We envision a valley where every child has the opportunity to learn from cradle to career and lives in a neighborhood free from fear, where families can afford to live in safe and decent housing and eat nutritious food, where enterprising workers can earn enough to make ends meet and save for the future, where immigrants are welcomed, and where those who are imprisoned, physically and mentally ill, elderly, and vulnerable can find healing and hope.

Values

We commit to boldly act with a spirit of:

Service: We serve others with a spirit of love and humility, following the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching.

Compassion: We approach individuals with empathy and understanding.

Justice: We advocate for fairness and equality.

Guided by the principles of:

Respect: We honor and uphold the dignity of every person.

Integrity: We act with honesty and transparency.

Teamwork: We collaborate to achieve common goals.

Accountability: We take responsibility for our actions and outcomes.

Continuous Improvement: We seek innovation to enhance our services.

Excellence: We strive for the highest quality in all we do.