Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona

We strengthen children, adults, families and communities by providing help, creating hope and serving all.

Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona serves people of all beliefs throughout the nine counties of Southern Arizona through its 5 member agencies; CCS - Tucson, CCS- Yuma, CCS - Sierra Vista, Pio Decimo Center (for early childhood education, pre-school and afterschool programs), and Deaf & Social Services with programs that extend into Maricopa County for Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing individuals. CCS also has three ministries: the St Maximilian Kolbe Prison Ministry (services for the incarcerated, their families and victims of crimes), the St. Jeanne Jugan Ministry with Elders (for people in assisted living, nursing facilities, hospital and hospice care) and the Casa Alitas Program which provides humanitarian aid to migrants released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In 2024 we will also be welcoming guests to our new medical respite center for men and women experiencing homelessness - Casa de Respiro. CCS helps children, families, seniors, and persons with disabilities by meeting immediate, fundamental needs and supports those whose long-term goal is to build sustainably better lives for themselves and their families.

Testimonials

"In every corner of my place, I feel happy,"
When Josh finished school at the Arizona School for the Deaf and the Blind, he turned to Community Outreach Program for the Deaf for needed assistance, particularly in finding and keeping a job. And that's exactly what COPD's Vocational Services provided.
They first helped him get a job as a grocery store courtesy clerk, where he worked for ten years alongside Deaf co-workers. Then they helped him move on to a job at a hotel, where he stayed for four years. Today, Josh works in the mailroom at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where he's been for six years. He enjoys the work, his COPD job coach, and the people at the base, and hopes that someday he can work for the U.S. Postal Service, delivering mail right to people's houses. COPD has been there for all 20 years, supporting Josh and helping him live a meaningful life-in his own apartment, taking care of himself, and helping others. "I'm very independent."
And he knows that COPD has made it possible.

"A Better Life"
Maurio* arrived at Casa Alitas weary and in pain. He had fled Venezuela to escape gang violence and hoped for a better life in the United States. On the journey north, he broke his leg and hobbled on crutches from Nicaragua to the U.S. border, where he requested asylum-and something, anything, to ease his pain and help his leg heal. Border Patrol medics tried to help, but Maurio's leg needed specialty care.
After a warm welcome at Casa Alitas and with donor support, Maurio was seen by a specialist, who reset his leg and applied a cast. He then remained at Casa Alitas while his leg healed, but he didn't just sit around. He joined in welcoming people, helping them connect with family members, assisting with
paperwork, serving meals, cleaning, and more. Over that time, he decided to make Tucson his home. He completed his asylum paperwork, got a work permit and a job, and moved into his own place. Now he's back at Casa Alitas as a regular volunteer, thankful that he can help people just like himself
in search of a better life. "I feel like a new man."
*name changed to protect the individual, their family and friends in Venezuela from intimidation, extortion, kidnapping and violence