Our History
The idea to organize a social service agency in the Archdiocese of Atlanta is credited to the late Monsignor Cornelius Maloney in 1947, when he laid the ground work for the organization. From 1948 to 1953, the agency operated as a volunteer organization with two trained Social Workers serving in their spare time.
In 1953, the agency incorporated itself under the title of Catholic Social Services of Metropolitan Atlanta, with two full-time employees. The agency’s primary work was to function as a referral center. Monsignor Cornelius Maloney, PhD the first Agency Director, carried out the work with his staff.
The primary purposes of Catholic Social Services, Inc. were to:
- Coordinate social services with the spiritual services of the Church.
- Refer families and individuals to the necessary Health & Welfare Agencies in the community and to answer inquiries about health and welfare services.
- Investigate out-of-town inquiries, primarily from other Catholic agencies.
- Provide counseling services to individuals and families to strengthen and preserve family life when other facilities were not available or when specific problems involving Catholic faith were involved.
- Investigate and review applications for placement of children in the Diocesan Catholic Children's Home.
1964: With the arrival of Cuban Refugees, a Latin American Resettlement Director was appointed to assist in the resettlement of Cuban Refugees in Atlanta.
1971-72: An educational push began through the Archdiocesan Poverty Program, called Operation Eye Opener. The office was responsible for designing the educational component of the program. Action programs such as day care, housing, family-to-family and domestic workers were developed.
1983: Mountain Social Services was added as a new service program. Unemployment and poverty in North Georgia were major contributing factors to the development of this service. This idea stemmed from several concerned persons from White and Habersham counties. One member of the group offered a large house as space for several programs, including a women’s support group and emergency shelter. The foundations were thus laid for the “Covenant Center.”
1993: Catholic Social Services celebrated 40 years of service to the community. Archbishop John F. Donoghue hosted a reception at his residence to thank staff, board members, volunteers and contributors for their service and dedication. Father Fred Kammer, president of Catholic Charities USA was a special guest at the reception.
2003: In January, Catholic Social Services Counseling Services and the Village of St. Joseph Family Counseling merged into a single program. Paul Gallant, Ph.D. was hired as the new Program Director for the new "Village of St. Joseph Counseling Services", followed by a restructuring of the department and consolidation into the retained facility at N. Druid Hills.
Catholic Social Services commenced its preparation for COA accreditation, began implementing a new 3 year strategic plan and celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sept. 26, 2003.
2004: On January 28, 2004, at the 1st annual BOD meeting, Kathy Garber, PhD stepped down as BOD Chair after 2 years of service and Mr. Michael Cote was nominated as the new chair to begin his tenure in January 2004.
Dr. Ann Howe, Ph.D. was named as the new Program Director for Village of St. Joseph Counseling Services. Dr. Howe previously served as one of the counselors for the Village of St. Joseph Counseling Services.
In May 2004, CSS sent its application to the Council on Accreditation (COA).
2005: Catholic Social Services received accreditation from COA (Council on Accreditation), an international, independent organization of social service providers.
On August 25th, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast and New Orleans. Catholic Social Services began an unprecedented emergency relief effort serving more than 1200 families.
2006: July 1, 2006, Catholic Social Services officially changes its name to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Inc and becomes a part of the Catholic Charities USA Network. The agency continued to serve clients devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
2007: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta announced a change in its governance designed to improve the charitable organization’s ability to serve the community and support anticipated growth. Catholic Charities Atlanta continued to serve clients devastated by Hurricane Katrina
2008: The First Annual Catholic Charities Gala raised over $325,000. The late Rawson Haverty of Havertys Furniture Company and Dr. Michael M.E. Johns of Emory University were presented the Archbishop Donoghue Awards. Two funds were established and named in their honor.
Catholic Charities Atlanta received reaccreditation from COA (Council on Accreditation), an international, independent organization of social service providers.
