Local, national voices praise new CCS facility
SALT LAKE CITY — The new 22,000 square foot Catholic Community Services facility sits on the north side of 300 South between 700 and 800 East in Salt Lake City in a setting of trees. With buildings donated by Intermountain Health Care and renovated through generous donations from individuals, corporations, and churches, the facility has drawn all CCS ministries in Salt Lake City into one facility for the first time in decades.
Dedicated and blessed July 11 by Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, the facility houses both mens’ and women’s treatment services for alcohol and drug abuse, a residential setting for families who have been victims of domestic violence, administrative offices, a refugee resettlement program, immigration services, offices for counseling, services for the poor, and outreach for the elderly.
The dedication ceremony drew civic and religious leaders from throughout the community as well as Father Larry Snyder, executive director of Catholic Charities U.S.A.
"This is a beautiful facility that will serve the vulnerable populations of Salt Lake City for years to come, said Larry Page, president of the CCS board of trustees in his welcoming remarks. "A lot of people made this happen; it takes generous donors to make a dream like this a reality."
Page said the CCS staff is thrilled to be in their new home, "with everything under one roof."
The building, which at one time housed the Bryner Medical Clinic and then an IHC clinic, has an interesting and dynamic 50-year history, Page said. "We hope to see 50 more years from this facility, and would like, to be able to do without it someday."
Page praised CCS Executive Director Maggie St. Claire and her staff for overseeing and carrying on the mission of CCS, which serves everyone in need regardless of race, religion, class, or status. "All are equally loved by God."
St. Claire, whose excitement at the completion of more than a year of planning, a $3.3 million building renovation, and moving was evident in her smile, said the facility was designed to focus on the residential needs of people. "We have residents on the lower level; that is their living space."
The upper level of the residential building, where the dedication festivities were held, is the women’s residential setting.
"Every brick in this building tells a story," St. Claire said, "from the years it was a medical clinic, through its restoration. We are grateful for all the stories, and we’ll carry on, caring for people in need and adding more stories."
St. Claire thanks the CCS board of trustees, whose work and planning made the new facility possible, donors for their individual gifts, and the architect, David Richardson, and contractors from Culp Construction who brought the building up to date. "Every person who had anything to do with this project is a brick, a story."
Recognizing that function does not preclude form, St. Claire said CCS staff members have been encouraged to personalize their individual offices.
"We have some clients who were reluctant to move from the old St. Mary’s Home to the new facility," she said. "It was gratifying to learn that other residents who knew where our reluctant clients had gone out and left notes for them telling them the new facility is alright, and inviting them to come home."
Kem Gardner of Intermountain Health Care said CCS has made a wonderful transformation of the old clinic building. "Together, our partnership has created a sacred place where needy people can come to heal. The original builders would be happy with what we have done here."
A long-time partner with St. Claire in the United Way, Gardner said when IHC considered what to do with the clinic building, "board members said ‘share it with the community,’ and we’re glad we did."
Gardner recognized St. Claire for her compassion and her willingness to serve together with people from the Salt Lake Children’s Center, the YWCA, and other "such good people who want to help in the noble mission of health care and the miracle of healing."
St. Claire thanked IHC for their generous donation of the building, and for recognizing the mission of CCS in the community. She also thanked Diocesan Vicar General Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald for his judicious leadership and his encouragement through this project.
"People have given so much," she said, "and in most cases we have received. I guarantee that every donated dollar has helped."
Pamela Atkinson and Dr. Dominic Albo, who lead the Capital Campaign Committee for the project spoke of going out into the community to solicit funds, and making hundreds of telephone calls to potential donors. They recognized the generosity of the Eccles Foundation, Bob Steiner, Fidelity Medical, Inc., Ivory Homes, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Zion’s Bank for in-kind donations, the McCarthey family, and "many others who need no recognition but took advantage of the wonderful opportunity to donate, so while other agencies were facing cutting programs, we were enlarging a beautiful new facility."
Msgr. Fitzgerald reminded those present that CCS was founded in the Diocese in 1910 under the name of Catholic Charities. In 1945, under then-Bishop Duane G. Hunt it became known as Catholic Relief Services. In 1981 its name was changed to Catholic Community Services, but still retains a national relationship with Catholic Relief Services, through which CCS resettles dozens of refugee families each year.
Msgr. Fitzgerald introduced Father Larry Snyder, executive director of Catholic Charities U.S.A.
On his first trip to Utah, Fr. Snyder said CCS of Utah has set the bar high for giving people hope. "You have proven that miracles can happen at the ground level."
Recognizing that CCS Utah serves more than 400,000 clients each year, welcomes newcomers, meets the needs of vulnerable children and women and those in recovery and transition, Fr. Snyder said, "You challenge all of us to make a difference. You have planted a foundation of faith based on the belief that all humans are made in the image and likeness of God and worthy of respect."
Fr. Snyder said at the end of our lives, we would be measured by how we have treated the most vulnerable among us. "What was our response to those who are in need? We have no choice but to step up and reach out to them."
Quoting the late James Cardinal Hickey of Washington, Fr. Snyder said if we don’t reach out to others, we couldn’t call ourselves followers of Christ. "Catholic Charities is based on three precepts: that everyone deserves dignity and respect; that people of all races, creeds, and needs will be served; and that collaboration with other agencies and individuals of faith and good will is essential.
"We send a clear message to those we serve," Fr. Snyder said. "You are of value, you are welcome, and we will provide the help you need and hope for. It is our testament that people of good will are working together to make things happen."
Fr. Snyder said CCS’ clients are models of how communities should work together; it is a measure of a community how they tread those people in the dawn of their lives, in the twilight of their lives, and those in the shadows of life.
"Congratulations to the CCS Utah board and staff," Fr. Snyder said. "May God bring all of your efforts to fruition."
Bishop Wester, before blessing the building, said aid organizations, churches, and advocates for those in need are often branded as "bleeding hearts. But we should remember that whenever God touches a heart, it bleeds. We do what we do because we are responding to God’s touch, his call to be his hands in service to others."
Bishop Wester then walked through the two-building facility blessing offices, living spaces, and recreational areas with holy water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
After the dedication and blessing, tours were offered of the new facilities, and staff members were able to personally thank many of the donors who made the new facility a reality.
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