History

Over the past 47 years, Caritas has added programs and enhanced existing services to meet Austin's changing needs. With a budget of over $9.6 million and a staff of 72, we now serve over 20,000 men, women and children per year.

1960s

• Caritas founded in 1964 by Father Richard McCabe to fill the gap between needs of poor and the benefits of public assistance.
• $30,000 budget supported by Catholic Diocese of Austin.
• Several part-time staff and church volunteers.
• Referred clients to local churches for basic needs assistance.

1970s

• Incorporated as private non-profit in 1977.
• Rented from St. David’s Episcopal church facility.
• Budget grows to $134,000 by 1979.

• Father McCabe’s physician father began providing medical services which ultimately became the Volunteer Health Clinic, a separate non profit.         
• Affiliated with United States Council on Catholic Bishops (USCCB) as a resettlement agency.

1980s

• Budget grows from $170,000 to $710,000 during decade. Began governmental grants in 1983.
• Growth of staff from 10 to 20.  
• Board consists of 7-8 members from churches with Msgr. McCabe as Chair.
• 100 breakfasts and 300 lunches distributed per day
• Collaboration with Salvation Army and Austin Baptist Chapel for food services.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) and employment components funded by state.
• 2,916-5,000 clients served annually.
• Continued community collaborations with increasing numbers of clients served in-house rather than referred out.

1990s

• Caritas purchases and renovates property at 611 Neches.
• 1993 – 1996 – $1M to $1.6 M raised.
• 1997 – 1999 – $2.1M to $2.7M. with increases in funding for refugee and social services.
• First capital campaign is successful – building is completed debt free with maintenance fund.
• Addition of development finance department structures.
• Msgr. McCabe retires as Board Chair in 1993 and becomes Emeritus.
• Community Advisory Board started.
• Refugee Services moves to 505 E. 7th; however, without a director, staff and programs are not integrated.
• Basic needs assistance is initiated and expands.
• Food Services moved to 505 E. 7th ; Food and Refugee services are in this building until 1999.
• Increasingly engaged in collaborative projects; Program staff are trained or educated in social work; managers and program staff participate in community planning.                      

2000 - present

• All programs and services based out of 611 Neches.
• Continues to serve the homeless, working poor and documented refugees.
• Endowment Fund established with match at Austin Community Foundation.
• Beth Atherton hired as Executive Director in September 2005; 54 staff including 4 directors.
• Caritas plays a major role in service provision for Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Central Texas
• Started Do Good Deli earned income project with a financial commitment from the Board; Do Good Deli closed in 2009 due to economic challenges and need to focus resources on client services.
• Provides Housing Services to assist people in connecting to transitional and permanent housing and maintaining their current housing stability.
• Provides Integrated Services to help people remain self-sufficient. Programs within integrated services include Education Services, Employment Services, Food Services, and Refugee Services.
• Budget grows to $6.5 million, approximately 60% governmental dollars and 40% philanthropic.
• 18 member Board of Directors providing governance and a Community Advisory Board of 75 Community Leaders providing fundraising support for the agency.