CCDSD

08/29/2026

Today, Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, at our Imperial Valley location, partnered with Cody’s Closet to host a clothing distribution supporting children in need of school clothing and unsheltered adults in our community. ❤️

With the support of volunteers from St. Mary’s Catholic School and missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the event helped provide essential clothing to individuals and families in need.

Together, we’re helping our neighbors feel supported, cared for, and ready for the days ahead.

08/29/2026

Today we celebrated the grand opening of the Rayo de Esperanza Pantry through our Emergency Food Distribution Network Plus program (EFDN+), the first of five Family Resource Center pantries launching through a partnership between Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego and the Chula Vista Elementary School District. Together, we are bringing food assistance directly into school communities, providing families with support, dignity, and hope. Thank you to the Chula Vista Elementary School District Team, the Rayo de Esperanza Family Resource Center team, our EFDN+ staff, volunteers, donors, and  community partners who made this milestone possible!

08/22/2026

Barnave never imagined that after nearly twenty years serving his country as a United States Marine, he would one day wonder where he would sleep. Yet at 62 years old, that’s exactly where life had taken him. Each evening, he searched for a place to rest on Oceanside’s streets. Every night brought the same questions:

Would he be safe? Would anyone notice if he disappeared? Would tomorrow be any different?

The hardest part wasn’t the cold or hunger. It was believing that after a lifetime of working hard and serving others, he had somehow become invisible.

Click below to watch Barnave's full story.

Barnave never imagined that after nearly twenty years serving his c...

08/22/2026

We are proud to share that our CEO, Vino Pajanor, has been reappointed to the County of San Diego Social Services Advisory Board (SSAB) for a term extending through 2029. Vino will continue to serve as Chair of the Social Services Advisory Board, helping advance efforts to strengthen social services and support individuals and families in becoming self-sufficient throughout our region. We extend our gratitude to County of San Diego Board of Supervisors Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre, District 1, for placing her trust in Vino and reappointing him to represent District 1 and the communities in South Bay. Congratulations, Vino, on your reappointment and continued commitment to serving our community! To learn more about the SSAB, visit: https://lnkd.in/dBUQPxe

08/13/2026

Today, we celebrated a historic milestone for Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego with the blessing of Rachel’s Promise Center for Women and Children.

With a special blessing from Bishop Michael Pham, we celebrated a new chapter in our more than 42-year commitment to walking alongside women experiencing homelessness. Rachel’s Promise Center for Women and Children will provide 210 beds for women and children, allowing mothers and their children to stay together while finding safety, support, and hope for a new beginning.

This milestone was made possible through the power of public-private partnerships. We are deeply grateful to Mayor Todd Gloria, the San Diego City Council and City of San Diego, the San Diego Housing Commission, Dene Oliver and Jim McMillan of OliverMcMillan, RIOS, Wheelihan Construction, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, and all of our partners who helped bring this vision to life.

Today, we are not simply opening a building. We are opening doors to hope, healing, and the opportunity to begin again.

07/04/2026

Today, we celebrate the freedoms we cherish and the values that bring us together—hope, compassion, service, and unity.

As we celebrate our nation's independence, may we also be inspired to share kindness, extend compassion, and work together to build stronger communities.

From all of us at Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, we wish you and your loved ones a safe, joyful, and memorable Fourth of July!

❤️🤍💙 Happy Independence Day!

06/29/2026

CCDSD hosted its first collaborative legal services workshop in the Imperial Valley. We extend our sincere appreciation to our partners, AOL and SCIP, as well as the Mexican Consulate, for their support in providing free legal consultations to the Imperial Valley community. Through this collective effort, we were able to serve 50 individuals. We look forward to continuing and expanding these legal workshops in the future.

06/23/2026

We are incredibly proud to recognize the Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego (CCDSD) Human Resources team as a finalist for the ONCON ICON Top 100 HR Team Award.

Please join us in celebrating their impact by voting for CCDSD’s HR team for the ONCON ICON Top 100 HR Team Award!

https://www.onconferences.com/hr-team-vote

This team has gone beyond traditional HR—serving as true strategic partners in strengthening our culture, supporting our people, and advancing our mission.

Here’s how they’ve demonstrated excellence:

🔹 Organizational Impact

Advanced the employee experience through the introduction of our CHARITY Core Values and the implementation of systems that elevate engagement, accountability, and consistency. Key initiatives include a redesigned recruiting and onboarding program, the launch of a comprehensive Employee Resources Page, and enhancements to HR processes that support a more seamless and connected employee journey.

🔹 Thought Leadership

Elevated leadership capability through DISC and Clifton Strengths-based trainings, fostering collaborative, solutions-oriented conversations that address complex organizational challenges. Championed the development and organization-wide adoption of the CHARITY Core Values, facilitating meaningful dialogue around culture, employee wellness, and accountability.

🔹 Innovation

Accelerated modernization by leveraging AI to automate systems and training, transitioning to a paperless environment. Introduced the department’s first in-depth Employee Satisfaction Survey (54.7% participation) to amplify our employees’ voices. Expanded access to learning and development opportunities through the implementation of a scalable Learning Management System.

🔹 Exceptional Leadership

Led with clarity, compassion, and resilience through significant organizational change—while strengthening culture, supporting staff through transitions, and reinforcing a people-centered approach at every level.

What stands out most is their unwavering commitment to building a culture of care, learning, and shared responsibility for impact. Their work is creating a stronger, more connected, and more resilient organization—one that better serves both our employees and our community.

06/18/2026

Today, we proudly celebrate the 60th Anniversary of our Foster Grandparent Program and the incredible senior volunteers who make it so special.

Through their dedication, compassion, and wisdom, our Foster Grandparents provide tutoring, mentorship, and encouragement to students throughout our community. They serve as trusted role models, offering guidance, support, and a caring presence that helps young people thrive both in and out of the classroom.

For many children who may not have grandparents in their lives, these volunteers become a source of love, stability, and inspiration. The relationships they build leave a lasting impact on generations of youth.

Thank you to all of our amazing Foster Grandparents for six decades of service, kindness, and commitment. Your gift of time, wisdom, and heart continues to change lives every day.

Happy 60th Anniversary to the Foster Grandparent Program!

06/16/2026

CCDSD is offering free legal consultations in Imperial County. Multiple legal providers will be working together to assist as many people as possible, in this one time pop-up workshop.

Pre-registration is required to attend this event. To register please stop by our Orange Ave location between 8am-5pm Monday - Friday.

We are here to support our community and connect families with trusted resources.