Catholic Charities fulfills the Church’s role in the mission of charity to anyone in need by providing compassionate, competent and professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities based on the value and dignity of human life.

Since 1917, Catholic Charities has been committed to helping individuals and families of all ages, ethnicities and religious backgrounds whose lives have been touched by despair, poverty, or crises. Catholic Charities offers 162 programs at 157 sites throughout Cook and Lake counties. We served more than 1 million persons in Fiscal Year 2011. Our comprehensive array of social services addresses not only immediate needs but also social and economic barriers to self-sufficiency.

Celebration of Giving Mission

Catholic Charities’ annual Celebration of Giving is a month-long effort to collect holiday gifts for children and families served by Catholic Charities’ wide array of programs.

The mission of the program is to specifically provide our clients – both children and families – who are in need of assistance at the holidays with new toys, clothing and necessary household items through the collection of donations from individuals, corporations and organizations.