Catholic Charities Hawaii, the island church’s primary social service agency, turns 75 this month.
When Daryl Lynn Davalos was a teen in the late 1960s, her family went to Catholic Social Services on Oahu for family counseling. She remembers waiting in the lobby after an appointment and seeing a distressed woman come inside. It was the end of the day, and a staffer who talked with the woman asked if she could come back the next day. But when the staffer saw how despondent the woman looked, she ushered her back into the office to see what she could do.
That end-of-the-day act of kindness from an employee of what is now known as Catholic Charities Hawaii stuck with Davalos. So, when she was looking for help due to COVID-19-related stress, she turned to Catholic Charities counseling.
CCH’s longstanding reputation for helping anyone in need, regardless of their faith or background, continues today as it celebrates its 75th anniversary this month.
The nonprofit organization has more than 30 programs, touching on senior services, housing and rental assistance, family and youth programs, counseling and mental health services, immigration and citizenship services, and information and referral services.
In 2010, it consolidated most of its offices into one main, 2.2-acre campus in Makiki on Oahu for better collaboration between its programs and easier access for clients.