[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 19 (Tuesday, February 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E151-E152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTHERN 
                                 NEVADA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 2011

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the 70th anniversary of Catholic Charities of Southern 
Nevada.
  In 1941, Bishop Thomas K. Gorman acknowledged the need for a social 
service organization that would benefit Nevada. He assigned Father 
Thomas F. Collins as the first diocesan director of the Catholic 
Welfare Program.
  Through boundless efforts and dedication, Father Collins organized 
programs for the homeless and needy, family programs, adoption 
services, and provided services to the United Service Organization, 
USO.
  By 1945, the agency was incorporated under Nevada statutes and 
acquired a nonprofit status under the name of Nevada Catholic Welfare 
Bureau.
  In the 1960s, the agency expanded and began development of thrift 
stores, a child care center, and the St. Vincent Dining Facility.
  During the 1970s and 1980s, as the population growth of Las Vegas 
doubled, more programs were needed and developed for senior citizens, 
refugee and immigration services, as well as a home for girls in 
crisis, an emergency shelter, a work program for homeless men, and an 
employment services center.
  In 1995, the name was changed to Catholic Charities of Southern 
Nevada.
  As the senior population of Southern Nevada continued to grow, 
Catholic Charities incorporated Respite Care and Supportive Services, 
Marian Residence for Senior Women, Crossroads Transitional Housing for 
Senior Men, and Telephone Reassurance. In addition, the Social Ministry 
program was established to provide assistance to outreach programs and 
the community through resources and program development.
  In 1998, a 120 room apartment building for individual residents was 
finished and Catholic Charities was able to rebuild additional 
structures for Social Services, Migration Refugee and Immigration 
Services, Employment Services Program, Resident Work Program and 
Administration offices.
  Since 2006, the Women, Infant and Children, WIC, Food, Homeless to 
Home, Senior Services Medical Nutrition Therapy, and Foster Grandparent 
Programs were created to better serve our community.
  Catholic Charities strives toward assisting each individual who is 
seeking help to gain self-sufficiency and independence with dignity by 
providing diverse social service programs that are designed to assist 
infants to seniors through the entire community.
  As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, it 
gives me immense pride to recognize the 70th anniversary of Catholic 
Charities of Southern Nevada as they continue to be one of the largest 
private nonprofit social service providers in the State of Nevada, 
offering the most comprehensive range of human services.

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