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What We Do

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago (“CCAC”) was founded more than a century ago to meet human need through the Mission of Charity. A trusted partner and steward, CCAC has grown to be one of the largest human service providers in the Chicago metropolitan region.

With an operating budget of $180 million and more than 1,200 employees, CCAC serves nearly 400,000 individuals annually, many of whom live in the most underserved neighborhoods of Lake and Cook counties.

We accompany anyone in need, regardless of their faith, gender, race, or ethnicity. In fact, the majority of the thousands of people we serve each day are not Catholic.

The same is true for the majority of the people who work with us – they partner with us because they are drawn to our values and mission.

The Services We Provide

We are called to serve in ways where our Catholic faith, values, and century of service make us a unique and valued provider. Coming out of the pandemic, this has led us to rethink and tailor our focus so that we can partner in new and more effective ways. We have come to a deeper understanding and recommitment.

Improve lives and nourish spirits by meeting need within a faith-based community of respect, compassion, stewardship, and excellence.

  • We commit to being present to children, youth and families, especially to mothers and their babies – it is core to who we are.
  • We commit to being present to families in crisis and to those coping with loss – it is core to who we are.
  • We commit to being present to seniors and veterans who face social isolation and poverty – it is core to who we are.

Our work is organized around four Impact Areas.

Immediate Access and Basic Needs

Children, Youth, and Families

Seniors

Affordable Housing

Immediate and wraparound services for people in crisis, address basic needs, and connect to longer-term supports

Holistic and transformational services that promote physical and psychological safety, wellbeing, and healing

At-home and community-based services for low-income seniors that foster both independence and connection

Dignified and safe, subsidized housing for older adults, veterans, and people with disabilities