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making a difference
TOGETHER, WE Change Lives
SUPPORTING NEIGHBORS.
TRANSFORMING LIVES.
Catholic Charities shelters, feeds, houses, educates, counsels and provides emergency assistance and critical services to tens of thousands of neighbors across Northern Colorado each year. As the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Denver, Catholic Charities — in partnership with volunteers, churches, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, medical facilities and educational institutions — provides life-changing support to Coloradans at 76 locations across the Front Range as they work to improve their lives. The list of what Catholic Charities does is remarkably diverse: Samaritan House, Marisol Services, Catholic Charities Housing, St. Raphael Counseling, Early Childhood Education, Immigration, Emergency and Food Assistance ... the list goes on and on. For 97 years, from Greeley to Glenwood Springs, Fort Collins to south Denver, Catholic Charities has supported neighbors and transformed lives ... and we look forward to serving our community into our second century and beyond.
JOIN US TO TRANSFORM LIVES
Our Mission Statement
As the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Denver, and inspired by God’s love and compassion, Catholic Charities extends the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the poor and those in need.
Our Mission Statement
As the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Denver, and inspired by God’s love and compassion, Catholic Charities extends the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the poor and those in need.
FACES OF HOPE
“I feel like these animals really see me.” Equine Therapy champions those who proudly served our country
It’s always a good day at the Sunny Horse Foundation, a Broomfield non-profit specializing in equine classes tailored for veterans who have served our nation. On a gorgeous spring day in May, Paul, a proud marine veteran who lives at Catholic Charities Samaritan House, returned to the horseback riding center, a place that has been … Read more
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Making a Difference, One Diaper at a Time
Trish is known by her neighbors at St. Martin Plaza as the resource connector. Denver’s River North (RiNo) neighborhood has two Catholic Charities ministries within blocks of each other. One is St. Martin Plaza, where Trish lives, and the other is Marisol Family at Annunciation parish, where families can pick up diapers, wipes, clothes and … Read more
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Nurturing Bright Futures: Inside the Child Development Center of Catholic Charities
“Every child is a learner, navigating their path uniquely, and here at the Child Development Center, it’s our honor to teach these kids.” This statement from Maru Garcia, the director of the Child Development Center (CDC) is at the core of all Catholic Charities early Childhood Education (ECE) programs. “I’ve been in education for 30 … Read more
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From to Grieving to Giving: Meet one of our favorite ESL volunteers at Samaritan House
“Volunteering at Catholic Charities has been incredibly rewarding for me.” At Catholic Charities, our volunteers are the quiet heroes, weaving their unique skills, life experiences and kindness into the fabric of our mission. With humility and dedication, they stand alongside us, bolstering our efforts to support those in need within our community. One such volunteer … Read more
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The Impact of Temporary Protected Status Workshops on New Immigrants Lives
Each month throughout 2024, dedicated Catholic Charities immigration staff and volunteers are gathering to assist newcomers to Colorado navigate the complexities of the immigration system. Immigration to the United States is challenging and confusing. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a program that allows new immigrants whose home countries are considered unsafe/dangerous, the right to live … Read more
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Healing Through Creativity
“Twenty years ago, while studying art in New York, I volunteered at a family shelter. That experience planted a seed within me,” Theo recalls. “It led me to pursue a career in education, teaching art in low-income schools for nearly two decades.” Meet Theo Schwartz, the founder behind Big Heart Art, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated … Read more
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Homelessness to Hope: Marian Plaza Resident Inspires High Schoolers
Phil was born and raised in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood in an upper middle-class family, just a few blocks away from where he lives now. His family’s affluence masked a hidden secret: his father was abusive, and Phil decided at an early age that not having a roof was better than having a tumultuous one. … Read more
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Marisol Health Director Finds Strength in Faith
“The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.” – St. Thérèse of Lisieux Sara Lugo took the reigns as executive director of Marisol Health Denver just four months after it opened in 2016 and has led the operation as it provided care to more than 6,500 patients and celebrated … Read more
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From the classroom to Little Flower, Loretta and Sharon’s humanitarian roots run deep in Aurora
Loretta and Sharon’s lives ran parallel in many ways. They both taught at Aurora Public Schools for decades, their kids went to the same schools and they went to the same parish. However, where they connected most was volunteering at Little Flower Assistance Center in Aurora. They both vividly remember when Donna Potter, Director of … Read more
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Voices for Life: Uniting for a Cause
Thousands of pro-life advocates gathered at this year’s Colorado March for Life at the Colorado State Capitol on Friday, April 12, 2024. With loud voices and bright banners, individuals from pro-life organizations, schools, faith communities and ministries came together to honor the sanctity of life. Many steps, conversations and connections later, hope and optimism filled … Read more
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Empowering Women Through Employment: Catholic Charities Employment Navigation Program Success
Across the Front Range, Catholic Charities is making a significant impact on the lives of women experiencing homelessness through our innovative Women’s Employment Navigation Program, housed at Samaritan House in downtown Denver. This program is a part of the comprehensive way that Catholic Charities looks at all our ministries, wrapping basics like safe shelter and … Read more
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Old Friends, New Beginnings: Marisol Homes Celebrates Alumni at 4th Annual Easter Brunch
The Easter season brings with it a sense of renewal and hope—a theme that rings true with Marisol Homes community. On Easter Sunday, Catholic Charities hosted the 4th Annual Marisol Alumni Easter Brunch at the Downtown Aquarium. Marisol Homes hosts this event every year as a celebration of community, resilience and transformation. Vin Glover, Program … Read more
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Prayer for Life: Reflections on the Eucharistic Procession at Marisol Garden
Special moments unfolded in the Catholic Charities’ Marisol Health Garden on Saturday, March 23rd. An army of more than 250 people of all ages joined hands for one mission: to honor the Eucharist and stand in solidarity against abortion. Led by Fr. Jason Wallace, Archdiocese of Denver Director of Vocations, and assisted by Deacon Wayne … Read more
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Catholic Charities Kinship program is where families like Audrey’s find community and support
FINDING SOLACE AND STRENGTH AFTER UNIMAGINABLE LOSS In Her Own Words: Audrey shares what the Catholic Charities Kinship program means to her family. “My daughter, Arianne passed away unexpectedly on June 23, 2019, at the age of thirty-six, leaving behind three young children aged 4, 5 and 12 at the time. In the wake of … Read more
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Alex’s Pursuit of Stability Leads to Samaritan House Fort Collins
Throughout his entire adult life, Alex poured himself into his profession. His career brought him across the country, constantly on the move. This instability and lack of community, paired with the stresses of work, left Alex seeking something to help him feel better, more in control. He turned to pills to self-medicate, but the pills … Read more
Read MoreINSPIRING CHANGE
Volunteer and Donor Impact
St. John Paul the Great High School students focus on formation encounters, partnering with our ministries as they build life-changing connections in the community.
St. John Paul the Great High School
Friends Loretta and Sharon have served the Little Flower Assistance Center for nearly 40 years.
"We're grateful we've built a strong friendship volunteering together."
Loretta and Sharon
Thomas and Anita choose to volunteer at Marisol Family because...
“We both have a heart for families, and we want to work where we can make a difference.”
Thomas and Anita
CSU Philanthropy students help Samaritan House Fort Collins as a way to deepen their education and community connections.
"It's a great way to bond with our classmates."
CSU Philanthropy Group
Notre Dame School collected a record number of coats this year.
"This was a unique way to participate in the Eucharistic Revival and deepen our connection with one another."
Notre Dame School
Pam and Bob Thode offer weekly equine classes for veterans at Samaritan House.
“I know how much working with the horses means to our veterans”
Pam and Bob
St. John Paul the Great High School students focus on formation encounters, partnering with our ministries as they build life-changing connections in the community.
St. John Paul the Great
CSU Philanthropy students help Samaritan House Fort Collins as a way to deepen their education and community connections.
"It's a great way to bond with our classmates."
CSU Philanthropy Group
Friends Loretta and Sharon have served the Little Flower Assistance Center for nearly 40 years.
"We're grateful we've built a strong friendship volunteering together."
Loretta and Sharon
Notre Dame School collected a record number of coats this year. "This was a unique way to participate in the Eucharistic Revival and deepen our connection with one another."
Notre Dame School
Thomas and Anita choose to volunteer at Marisol Family because... “We both have a heart for families, and we want to work where we can make a difference.”
Thomas and Anita
Pam and Bob Thode offer weekly equine classes for veterans at Samaritan House.
“I know how much working with the horses means to our veterans”