Catholic Charities has been bringing hope to life in Central Washington for nearly 70 years. From our roots as a thrift store, we have responded to needs in the communities we serve, offering services and support throughout the lifecycle – prenatal to the elderly. We trace our history back to 1946 when the Yakima Salvage Bureau was formed. Three years later, the agency’s mission was solidified when Father Thomas Gill established the Yakima Children’s Bureau, a subsidiary of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Seattle. In the early years, we worked to protect the welfare of children by arranging adoptions and providing safe, caring foster homes. As we grew, our outreach to the poor and vulnerable expanded to include an array of social services, housing and emergency services. To better reflect our mission, the agency’s name was changed to Catholic Family & Child Service in 1956. In the years that followed, we expanded our services across the Diocese of Yakima, now operating in 17 Washington counties. While our services have evolved to meet changing needs in the communities we serve, the agency has remained focused on serving children, adults and families in the areas of counseling and behavioral health, basic needs, child care and early learning, affordable housing, and elder services. In 2017, the agency was renamed Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington, encompassing the services of Catholic Family & Child Service, Catholic Charities Housing Services, and St. Vincent Centers. We provide help and create hope for people of all religious, social, and economic backgrounds. Throughout our history, we have remained true to our mission: “Motivated by Christ’s love, we bring hope to life, especially for those most in need.”