History

Catholic Charities of Central Florida:

Celebrating 50 Years of Social Service

1962-2012

Catholic Charities of Central Florida began in 1962 under its original name, Catholic Social Services, Inc.  Although the organization’s name has changed several times during the intervening years, devotion to its mission to care for those who are in need regardless of creed, color or sex has never wavered.

Under the compassionate and caring leadership of dedicated men such as Father Patrick Joseph Sheedy, Thomas Aglio, Bishop Thomas Grady and Bishop Norbert Dorsey, Catholic Charities began to grow and develop programs that would serve the needs of the community.  In July 2005, Bishop Thomas Wenski appointed Arne Nelson, Captain U.S. Navy (retired), to take the helm of the $5M agency.  Under his leadership Catholic Charities of Central Florida (CCCF) has grown and expanded core services.  The agency is no longer a charity primarily serving Orlando and Lakeland, but is now a $12M social service agency that today provides services for more than 130,000 people from five regional offices throughout nine counties of central Florida.

Today Catholic Charities of Central Florida continues to offer pregnancy and adoption services in addition to a compendium of care which includes:

• Agape Food Bank and six food pantries
• disaster preparation and relief services
• emergency financial services
• two senior low-income housing complexes
• mental health counseling
• immigration and refugee services
• three medical clinics
• dental clinic
• self-sufficiency transitional services for homeless
  or at-risk of homeless men, women and their children

Catholic Charities of Central Florida will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2012.   The employees, staff and Board of Directors are filled with gratitude for the financial, volunteer and prayer support that has positioned CCCF as one of the leading social service agencies in the state of Florida to serve the poor and most vulnerable.

Most of all, Catholic Charities is thankful to our Lord Jesus Christ for the privilege to care for His people.  Jesus told his disciples that when we care for the least of these people in need, his brothers and sisters, we show our love for Our Lord.