During gala, Catholic Community Services celebrates 75 years of charitable work

Courtesy photos/Catholic Community Services

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Khalid Al Hachami is the Catholic Community Services 2020 Employee of the Year.

SALT LAKE CITY — At the first-ever virtual Catholic Community Services Humanitarian Awards Gala Oct. 26, Bishop Oscar A. Solis and organization officials celebrated CCS’s 75th anniversary and honored those who have contributed to its success.

Much of the event was livestreamed from the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Hall in Salt Lake City, where Mistress of Ceremonies Carole Makita highlighted the achievements of the organization that has served the homeless, the poor and thousands of refugees in its 75 years. Video presentations and slideshows told the story of the difference CCS has made in the Utah community since its inception.

Founded in 1945 by Bishop Duane G. Hunt, fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, CCS originally provided poverty assistance, foster care, family counseling and adoption services. Since that time, its mission has evolved and now includes homelessness services, the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank in Ogden and refugee resettlement programs.

“Tonight, we honor all those who have dedicated themselves to the mission of charity for the past 75 years, serving as volunteers, benefactors or dedicated staff,” Bishop Solis said in a taped message from the Cathedral of the Madeleine. “Thousands, many unknown, have contributed generously to our mission of charity, so we remember each one of them with profound gratitude. They have been our partners in carrying out the mission of Christ to build a culture of life, of sharing, and of building a civilization of love that upholds the sanctity of life and the dignity of every person.”

Quoting Pope Francis, the bishop added, “‘We cannot remain indifferent to the cries of our brothers and sisters.’ … We are grateful that CCS benefactors are not indifferent but are sensitive to hear the cries of those in need. Our generosity is needed more now than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us, but the refugees, migrants and poor have felt it with severity.”

Relating the story of 4th-century St. Telemachus, who gave his life to stop the gladiatorial slaughter at the colosseum in Rome, CCS Executive Director Brad Drake spoke of the difference one person can make.

“This evening that one person is you,” he said. “It is because of you that, through our programs, we are able to support those that are most in need.”

During her taped State of CCS presentation, homelessness advocate Pamela Atkinson spoke of the many people the organization has served this year. Along with providing services to human-trafficked children and victims of domestic violence, through its food bank CCS shared 1.6 million pounds of food with 48,333 individuals. The St Vincent de Paul Dining Hall served 420,000 meals on site and at three homeless resource centers in the Salt Lake area, she reported.

While much of Salt Lake City was shut down during the early days of the pandemic, the St Vincent de Paul Dining Hall and the Weigand Homeless Resource Center never closed their doors, she said.

“Certainly, CCS homeless services program has played an integral part in keeping our homeless friends safe as they faced the challenges of 2020, whether it be hunger, homelessness or forced displacement,” Atkinson said. “Whatever other challenge the future holds, CCS will always be there to answer the call with innovative and sustainable solutions.”

During the awards gala, Michelle Davis, who provided almost 1,400 hours of volunteer service with the CCS refugee program and built the organization’s cultural orientation program, was named Humanitarian of the Year.

“As I learned about the plight of refugees throughout the world, I became passionate about helping them,” Davis said in taped remarks. “At CCS I found an area I could help. I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity to volunteer at CCS.”

Khalid Al Hachami, CCS case manager supervisor for the migration and refugee services team and a former Iraqi refugee, was named the 2020 Employee of the Year.

At the event, which was also a fundraiser for the organization, CCS reached its goal of raising $100,000. This was matched by an anonymous Catholic donor, Mikita reported. Underwriters who made the virtual gala possible included the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, the Jerry and Shari Seiner Family Charitable Fund, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Ruth Cherecwich, and the Huntsman Foundation.