Motivated by faith, Catholic Social Services helps poor and vulnerable seniors and families reach their potential.

Catholic Social Services envisions a world in which all who are in need are able to meet their potential to live with dignity, hope, and purpose.

Our values are guided by our faith.

IMPACT – We serve in ways that have a lasting effect on our clients and that make our community stronger for everyone.

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
—Colossians 3:17

COMPASSION – Inspired by a God who identifies with “the least of these,” we enter into places of poverty and pain to respond to the suffering of others.

Look for Christ, our Lord, in everyone and you will then have respect and reverence for all.
—St. Teresa of Avila

 

COURAGE – We demonstrate the mettle needed to overcome fear, difficulty, hardship, or the status quo while venturing toward a better future.

Pray, hope, and don’t worry.
—St. Padre Pio

EXCELLENCE – We are a good steward of the trust and resources given to us by holding ourselves to the highest standard of quality, efficiency, and sustainability.

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. —1 Peter 4:10

Our History

We are a part of the worldwide Catholic Church responding to the complicated needs of the working poor, underserved, immigrants, and vulnerable populations within central and southern Ohio.

Catholic Social Services was formed by the Catholic Diocese of Columbus 77 years ago to serve the needs and suffering of people within our 23 county area. Our work is centered in our Catholic faith and we believe that each person is created in the image and likeness of God and therefore, sacred. We are aligned with Catholic Social Teaching.

We were established as the Catholic Welfare Bureau in 1945 under the leadership of the Most Reverend Bishop Michael Ready to serve women and children in Columbus. We expanded our services and our reach with sites in Zanesville in 1948, Newark in 1949, and Portsmouth in 1957. As our programs grew, we were separately incorporated on August 4, 1966 and renamed Catholic Social Services.

While our services have changed with the needs of the community, our commitment to the highest standard of excellence, respect, trustworthiness, and compassion in our client and community care has never wavered. In 1982, CSS was first accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), and has maintained continuous accreditation since.

Our licensed Social Workers and staff abide by Catholic Charites USA Code of Ethics

Our People

Catholic Social Services’ board and staff is deeply connected to the mission and values of the organization. It is the lens by which we provide our services. We are proud of all our team and would like to highlight their commitment to our clients and our positive outcomes over the years.

Introducing Mr. Kelley Henderson, the newly appointed President & CEO of Catholic Social Services (CSS). With an unwavering commitment to serving those in need and a proven track record of leading strategic growth, Kelley is poised to guide CSS into a new era of compassionate care and community impact. His visionary leadership and dedication align with CSS’ mission of empowering vulnerable seniors and families. Drawing from his experience driving growth at organizations like Catholic Charities of West Tennessee and Action Ministries; Kelley is well-positioned to implement CSS’ Strategic Plan, which aims to enhance services for low-income seniors, strengthen the community’s workforce, and expand outreach within the Hispanic community.

Join us in welcoming Kelley Henderson as he embarks on this journey to build upon CSS’ more than 77-year legacy of impactful service in central and southern Ohio.

Our Partners

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“Charity that leaves the poor person as he is, is not sufficient. True mercy, the mercy God gives to us and teaches us, demands justice, it demands that the poor find the way to be poor no longer.” -Pope Francis

Locations

COLUMBUS

197 E. Gay Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 221-5891

WEST COLUMBUS

Our Lady of Guadalupe Center
409 Industry Drive
Columbus, OH 43204
(614) 340-7061

NEWARK

1031 Brice Street
Newark, OH 43055
(740) 345-2565

PORTSMOUTH

St. Francis Catholic Outreach Center
2311 Stockham Lane
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 961-4020

ZANESVILLE

422 Main Street, Ste 400
P.O. Box 3446
Zanesville, OH 43702-3446
(740) 452-5057

Contact Us