A Voice For the Poor
For Decades Catholic Charities
Has Provided Help and Hope to
Many of State's Less Fortunate

By Connie Blaney
Catholic Charities
The history of Catholic Charities is rich with service to the poor and disenfranchised of our communities. This past year, more than 20,000 people were directly helped by Catholic Charities of the Okla- homa City Arch- diocese. Its service area now includes 46 counties in central and western Oklahoma. “In just a few years, Catholic Charities will celebrate its 100th anniversary,” said Tim O’Connor, Executive Director of Catholic Charities.“As the needs in our state have grown, so has our agency. We have an interesting 93-year his- tory with so many people over the years contributing their time, energy, and resources to the works of Catholic Charities.”        Outside the then Associated Catholic Charities office in Aug. of 1947 were: Rev. Meyering,                                                 Msgr. Walde, Rev. James Garvey, Rev. John Garvey and Bishop Bushwell. 

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City was founded in 1912, shortly after statehood with the opening of the St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Bethany.  Father John Kekeisen served as the first director of the orphanage and was instrumental in the early construction and recruitment of the Sisters of Mercy. Following Father Kekeisen’s death in 1919, Father P.P. Schafer succeeded him. He had the vision to expand the Church’s ministry to reach out to infants and the elderly.

 In 1926, Bishop Francis Kelley appointed Monsignor James Garvey as Director of St. Joseph’s Orphanage. In his first year, he established the headquarters for Catholic Charities at 218 N.W. Fifth Street in downtown Oklahoma City, which was on the first floor of the St. Joseph’s Convent. (This location later became the site of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building}.

 During Msgr. Garvey’s 23-year tenure, the needs for services rapidly increased. At first, private homes and community residences were used for the care of mothers with infants and the elderly. Our Lady of Victory Maternity Clinic was opened in 1937 on property which belonged to Corpus Christi Parish. The historical Maney Home was leased as a residence for elderly women. In 1932, Garvey established the Annual Catholic Charities Appeal. Msgr. Garvey died in 1949.

 Monsignor Anthony Isenbart was named Associate Director of Catholic Charities in 1948. Leadership and stability were two of his many gifts to the agency during his 26-year tenure. After World War II, the needs of families and individuals rapidly changed and Msgr. Isenbart had the vision to design the types of programs needed. He was responsible for the completion of St. Ann’s Home in 1950 and the new St. Joseph’s Children’s Home, which moved in 1965 to N.W. 33rd and Martin Luther King Blvd. Due to expanded services and the need for more office space, Isenbart purchased a building for Associated Catholic Charities at 425 N.W. 7th in 1967. The offices remained there until 1994. Isenbart died in 1984, but his name will remain synonymous with Catholic Charities in Oklahoma for future generations.

The early history of Catholic Charities in Oklahoma reflects a strong institutional service record to children, families and the elderly throughout Oklahoma. Over the years, Catholic Charities has assisted the poor and vulnerable in the State of Oklahoma regardless of their religious affiliation, race, national origin or sex. The infant adoption program has been running continually since 1912. Services to refugees began soon after the fall of Saigon in 1975. On March 17, 1975, Father William Garthhoeffer was hired as executive director. “I remember our office became very busy helping Vietnamese refugees settle in Oklahoma,” Garthhoeffer said. The agency has continued to be committed to the resettlement of refugees of diverse backgrounds into the United States and is the only accredited resettlement agency in the State of Oklahoma. Garthhoeffer served in the leadership position for two years until October of 1977. Dan Short served as executive director from 1978 to 1982, and Lou Wise served from 1982 to 1984. In the early 1980s, Catholic Charities placed an emphasis on developing and supporting parish social ministry in the churches across the archdiocese. This was a response to Vatican II.

 In I985, Tim O’Connor, the current executive director, was hired. Under O’Connor’s leadership, the agency has continued to grow. In 1986, the agency established the Immigration Assistance Program in response to the Immigration Reform and Control Act passed by the US Congress. Since then, the program has served thousands of people seek-       ing to be permanent residents of the          USA. Through this program, the agency also collaborates with Latino Community Development Agency to serve immigrant victims of violence.

In 1990, Catholic Charities started the St. Joseph Counseling Center to serve children and families in need of counseling. The agency offers therapy in all of our service centers- Oklahoma City, Lawton, Enid and Clinton.  In 1992, a ministry to persons with HIV/AIDS was started and in 1995, the agency opened Elizabeth House, a transitional living center for persons with HIV or AIDS. Elizabeth House is now used for single parents with children. In 1993, the Holy Family Maternity Home, a group residency for pregnant, homeless teenage girls was established. A new Holy Family Home was built and completed in 1999 in Midwest City.

 Catholic Charities sponsors two affordable housing projects for low-income elderly persons, Villa Isenbart and Trinity Gardens. They were opened in 1997. The agency also provides case management, counseling and financial assistance to victims of man-made and natural disasters. In 1998 three important programs were started, Parish Nursing, Family Hope and Family HOPE. This program is based on social service case management theory and builds strong partnerships with families in need so they may achieve self-sufficiency.

In 2001, the Seton House, an independent living apartment complex for homeless teenaged women and their first child as an extension of the Holy Family Home program, was established.

The transitional housing programs, operated under the Family Support Services department, include Elizabeth House, Seton House, and Casa Maria. Tenants in the program participate in the Family HOPE program and may remain in the program for up to 18 months.

“Today, Catholic Charities has a strong reputation in communities and the state for serving many needs. We remain committed to the works of mercy and justice in listing the engagement of all faithful in service to others,” said O’Connor.

Formore information on Catholic charities check out their website at www.catholiccharitiesok.org/.