Agency History
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Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington was established by Bishop Peter L. Ireton in February of 1947 as a branch of the office of Richmond Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Richmond. Catholic Charities was then known as Catholic Charities of Northern Virginia. Offices were opened in Arlington and Alexandria. Due to the increased volume of service and the time lag in processing adoption documents, Catholic Charities of Northern Virginia was given independent status in 1959. The name was changed to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington. Originally services were for unmarried mothers, child foster care, adoption and material assistance for the poor. When the Fairfax office was established in 1965 professional family and individual counseling services were instituted. In tune with community needs, Catholic Charities established additional services and programs during the 1970's: community organizing in low-income neighborhoods, child day care, the Christ House shelter, emergency material assistance was expanded, Saint Martin's Senior Center, Social Services for Hispanics, Migration and Refugee Services, a branch office was opened in Winchester, Virginia and the Parish Social Ministry. Another program, Services to the Disabled, was begun in 1985. In 1989 the agency opened its second branch office, this time in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The overall goal has remained the same for the past fifty years "to strive to create a community of mutual concern and support for justice in which all people can fully achieve their potential as dignified human beings." From the beginning and throughout the agency has relied heavily upon the dedicated and talented efforts of volunteers. |
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Catholic Charities Diocese
of Arlington |
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