Catholic Charities Indianapolis

Last updated on May 17, 2011

The staff and volunteers of Catholic Charities Indianapolis are called by the Gospel to uphold the dignity of all people. Guided by Catholic social teaching, we consider it a privilege to
deliver compassionate and caring service to help and empower those in need.

Values: Created in the image and likeness of God and grounded in our faith, we value:

Justice
Stewardship
Diversity
Action
Self-Determination
Personal Growth
Respect

Description:
Catholic Chairities Indianapolis offers support in twelve programs covered under four service lines -Individual and Family Support, Eldercare, Crisis Relief and Shelter and Pregnancy and Adoption
Individual, Couple and Family Counseling Programs
Professional counseling is available on a sliding fee scaled, based on income.
School Social Work Programs
Professional counseling services are provided for school children along with consultation services.
Neighborhood Youth Outreach Program (NYO)
Activities to serve urban youth and their families in the St. Joan of Arc neighborhood (46th and Central).

Eldercare
Adult Day Services
Therapeutic, safe day care for frail or handicapped, elderly adults is provided at the following two sites.
*A Caring Place (north)
A caregiver support program is available offering respite to caregivers, providing resource information and operating a small scale home modification project for caregivers.
Senior Companion Program (SCP)
Companions, low income adults, 60 and over, visit homebound clients (at no charge to clients).

RSVP of Central Indiana
People 55 and over volunteer for service to the community.

Crisis Relief and Shelter
Crisis Office Program
Food, clothing, limited transportation, rent and utilities money are available for those in emergency/critical need.
Holy Family Services
Holy Family Shelter
Temporary shelter meals, counseling, child care, and job assistance for homeless families is provided at this site located on the near south side of Indianapolis.

Holy Family Transitional Housing
Extended services for families facing chronic homelessness are provided shelter as they transition out of homelessness.

Refugee Resettlement/Refugee Social Services Program
Advocacy, family reunification, job assistance, ESL services, help in setting up a household for refugees are some of the services offered through this program.

The Christmas Store
Christmas gift assistance for needy families is offered to families on a referral basis.

Pregnancy and Adoption Services
St. Elizabeth/Coleman provides counseling and assistance for birthmothers whether they are considering parenting or placing a child for adoption.
Home studies are provided for adoptive couples as well as counseling and placement assistance.
St. Elizabeth/Coleman works with birthparents and adoptees who are seeking to be reunited with their families of origin.

History:
Catholic Charities Indianapolis (formerly Catholic Social Services of Central Indiana aka CCS) has been in existence since 1919. Catholic Charities Indianapolis was founded as the Catholic Community Center (CCC).
1930's .... CCC develops a Child Welfare Program as economic conditions lead to a major increase in broken homes and delinquencies.

1950's.... The Child Welfare Program continues to expand and professional counseling services are offered for the first time.

1960's Rev. Donald Schmidlin serves as the Director of what is now known as Catholic Charities. Psychological testing, School Counseling and Family Life Education inaugurated. CSS now becomes an agency of Catholic Charities--the Archdiocesan Flagship for human services.

1970's. ..CSS names first lay Executive Director, Robert Gerwe. A growing emphasis on social activism and the phase out of the agency's Child Welfare Program. Dr. Robert Riegel begins 25 years of service, is later appointed Executive Director and leads-continued expansion.

1980'S ....A major restructuring in which an additional group of six services which had been the descendents of the Archdiocesan Social Ministries become part of the CSS program. The agency moves to the Catholic Center building on North Meridian Street.

1990's .... Tom Gaybrick, MSW appointed Executive Director and CSS works towards developing linkages with area hospitals and initiates a new supportive housing program. Tom Gaybrick is appointed Executive Director of Catholic Charities, and Tom Colbert, MSW appointed Executive Director of CSS.
2000's ...CSS celebrates 75 Years of service to the Central Indiana community. David Bethuram is appointed Executive Director to lead CSS into the new millennium.

In July of 2005 the name of our agency was changed from Catholic Social Services of Central Indiana to Catholic Charities Indianapolis.

Contact people:

Valerie Sperka, Director Of Special Events, (phone), (email) Craig Fall, Associate Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (317) 261-3375

Address:

1400 N Meridian Street Suite 210 Indianapolis, IN 46202 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.CatholicCharitiesIndpls.org

Directions:

We are located on the northwest corner of 14th and Meridian. The entrance to the building is off the parking lot. You can enter the parking lot from 14th Street.

Last updated on May 17, 2011