Catholic Charities - Serving Central Washington

06/10/2026

We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan; it is a requirement of our faith.

This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops calls us to a shared responsibility:

"We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God's creation."

What does this look like at Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington?
It means recognizing that protecting the environment is directly tied to protecting the people who live here. From conserving resources within our facilities to supporting the families who work the land in our valleys, stewardship means preserving a healthy, safe, and beautiful community for generations to come.

When we care for the earth, we care for each other. 🌎🌱

Thank you for joining us over the last several weeks as we explored the seven pillars of Catholic Social Teaching! To learn more about how these traditions guide our daily mission, visit catholiccharitiescw.org/about.

06/04/2026

We are one human family, no matter our national, racial, ethnic, economic, or ideological differences. We are called to be our brothers' and sisters' keepers, right here in our own neighborhoods.

At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops highlights this call to peacemaking:

"Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict."

What does this look like at Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington?
It means practicing radical hospitality and standing shoulder to shoulder with our neighbors. Solidarity is found in our daily work by welcoming individuals from all backgrounds, listening to their unique stories, and working together to build a community where everyone feels valued, safe, and supported.

When we recognize that we belong to one another, true peace and justice can flourish. 🤝✨

Stay tuned next week as we wrap up our series with the final pillar: Care for God's Creation.

05/29/2026

🌱 Want to make a massive impact in our community? Our Volunteer Services team makes it easy!

We recently hosted 20 incredible volunteers from Keller Williams Yakima Valley for their 18th annual global RED Day. Our team coordinated a rewarding day of service, where these volunteers provided essential yard care and support to aging and disabled adults in the Yakima Valley.

At Catholic Charities, our Volunteer Services team specializes in hosting group projects throughout the year that bring hope to life. We handle the logistics so your business, church, or civic group can focus on what matters most: giving back.

A huge thank you to Keller Williams for their inspiring enthusiasm and consistent care!

🤝 Ready to get your team involved? Let our Volunteer Services team build a meaningful project for your agency. To partner with us, contact Becki Rollman, Volunteer Recruitment Specialist, at 509-965-7100 Ext. 1196 or email [email protected].

05/28/2026

Work is more than just a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God's creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops outlines these fundamental rights:

"The right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative."

What does this look like at Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington?
It means recognizing the value and voice of every worker. We see this in our agricultural communities, where we support farmworkers and their families, and within our own organization, where we strive to provide a supportive, just environment for the staff who carry out our mission every day.

When we honor the dignity of labor, we build a community where everyone can thrive through their efforts. 💼🌱

Stay tuned next week as we explore Pillar 6: Solidarity.

05/21/2026

In a world that often tells us to look out only for ourselves, our faith instructs us to change our perspective and put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops points us directly to scripture:

"In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first."

What does this look like at Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington?
It means they are at the absolute center of our mission. It means making sure that the homeless individual seeking shelter, the low-income family needing food assistance, and the vulnerable child in our programs are prioritized.

When we prioritize those who are struggling, we lift up our entire Central Washington community. 🏡✨

Stay tuned next week as we move to Pillar 5: The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers.

05/15/2026

We believe that a healthy community can only be achieved if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.

This is the third pillar of Catholic Social Teaching. It teaches us that every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to the things required for human decency, like food, shelter, and healthcare. 🍎🏠

But these rights come with a call to action. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops explains:

"Every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities—to one another, to our families, and to the larger society."

Putting it into practice in Central WA:
Our work isn't just about "charity"; it’s about fulfilling our responsibility to one another. When we provide housing assistance or mental health services, we are helping our neighbors claim their basic human rights, while honoring our shared duty to look out for the common good.

We all have a part to play in making our community a place where everyone can thrive. 💙

Stay tuned next week for Pillar 4: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable.

05/13/2026

One of the most advanced inclusive early-learning playgrounds in Washington is now open at our main campus!

Dedicated in honor of long-time educator Kathy Helseth, this state-of-the-art facility features adaptive seesaws, musical instruments, and sensory-rich equipment like the Unity Rocker. These features allow children of all abilities to engage together in a shared environment.

This project was made possible through Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families funding and the generosity of private donors. While the space is reserved for families enrolled in Early Learning Services - Catholic Charities programs, it represents a major investment in the developmental health of the community. Kathy’s legacy continues by ensuring every child has a place to thrive.

Read more at the link below:

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington opens a new inclusive playground with adaptive equipment and sensory features to support children of all abilities.

05/07/2026

In our series on Catholic Social Teaching, we’ve explored the first pillar. Now we turn to the second: Call to Family, Community, and Participation 📖✨

This principle reminds us that we are not only sacred as individuals, but also social by nature. How we shape our communities through our laws, policies, and daily choices directly impacts human dignity and the ability for all people to thrive.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops explains it this way:

“The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society in economics and politics, in law and policy directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.”

At Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington, we see this call lived out every day, when families are supported, when neighbors come together, and when every voice is welcomed in building a stronger community.

05/05/2026

Big things are happening with our Wenatchee-based Youth Mobile Crisis Response Team 🎉

They are making meaningful connections in local high schools by building trust, showing up consistently, and creating spaces where students feel seen, heard, and supported.

Young people face many pressures, and the stresses of daily life can impact their mental health. Children and teens may feel like they have nowhere to turn or no hope for a better future. Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington has a fully staffed, credentialed team ready to respond to youth in crisis across Chelan and Douglas Counties.

No situation is too small to reach out. The team can meet youth where they are, whether at home, school, a hospital, or in the community, and provide support, coping tools, and connections to ongoing care.

Contact our North Central team at (509) 662-6761 to learn more.