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September 25, 2002
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Catholic Charities celebrates 75 years of service to the people of Colorado
For 75 years, Catholic Charities has been at theforefront of treating society's ills with timely services and innovative programs. Catholic Charities recognizes that change is inevitable; it rises to meet the shifting needs of a diverse population with compassion and efficiency.
Before
there was a Catholic Charities, there was the Charity Organization Society
(COS), considered Denver's premier welfare institution. Founded in 1887,
it was a nondenominational umbrella organization attempting to coordinate
charitable endeavors in the Mile High City. Under the COS plan, citizens
would be approached only once a year by the one umbrella charity, whose
professional and respected board would then decide how much should go
to each institution. Denver's COS raised $21,700 to fund 10 charities
in 1888; these included Good Shepherd Home and the St. Vincent Orphan
Asylum.
In the 1920s, Bishop J. Henry Tihen decided to place all the Catholic charities under one central office. As early as 1860, the Church had been involved in charitable endeavors, including the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Sacred Heart Aid Society and the Catholic Library Association.
In 1927, Catholic Charities opened a two-room office in the Railroad Building at 1515 Larimer St. and a modern organization was formed.
1923
Denver's first Catholic Community Center, Garfield Center, opens at 1085 Yuma St.
1927
Bishop Tihen centralizes Catholic Charities. Father John Mulroy is appointed director.
1927
Philanthropist J.K. Mullen funds St. Cajetan Clinic. Renamed Ave Maria Clinic in 1934.
1928
Little Flower Community Center opens at 28th and Lawrence streets — neighborhood clinic, school, library. Sisters of Loretto taught girls and Jesuits taught boys.
1928
Catholic Charities and Diocese of Denver join Catholic Conference on Industrial Problems, addressing humane working conditions, living wage, profit sharing, credit unions and curbs on child labor.
1930
St. Anthony Neighborhood House opens at 3680 Osage St.
1930
Camp Santa Maria opens. Mary Mullen Dower gives Catholic Charities Cassells Resort near Bailey to be used as a summer camp for underprivileged children. In 1933 Father Mulroy incorporates Denver Diocesan Community Centers.
1934
Catholic Charities moves into George C. Schleier mansion at 1665 Grant St. Carriage house becomes a distribution center to give food to needy families.
1941
First program for the developmentally disabled established in Longmont at St. John the Baptist School.
World War II
Catholic Charities directs its efforts toward maintaining troop morale by supporting USO Clubs throughout Colorado. Displaced Persons Service established.
1969
Cary Carron establishes ministry for adults with developmental disabilities.
1971
Father Don Dunn is appointed director of Denver Catholic Community Services.
1972
Catholic Charities Northern is established to serve Larimer and Weld counties from a tiny house in Greeley.
1974
Jim Mauck is appointed director of Denver Catholic Community Services.
1982
Samaritan Shelter, "The Samaritan Sheraton," opens at the old Central Catholic High School.
1986
Samaritan House opens at 2301 Lawrence St. It is the first homeless shelter in the country designed and built as a shelter.
1990s
Western Slope office opens. Child care and Head Start services expands. Catholic Charities moves into its present building at 2525 W. Alameda Ave.
July 1, 1992
Catholic Charities and Community Services Inc. incorporated. Organization now includes all Catholic Charities' services, Samaritan House and Catholic Charities Northern.
October 5, 2002
Catholic Charities celebrates its 75th anniversary at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with Archbishop Chaput celebrating Mass.
Source: Colorado Catholicism and the Archdiocese of Denver, Thomas J. Noel, University of Colorado Press, 1989.