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San Francisco, CA – It was announced
today that Archbishop George H. Niederauer will present
the 2007 Loaves & Fishes Award for Outstanding Community Organization
to the Auxiliaries of Little Children’s Aid on Saturday,
April 21, 2007, at the 10th Annual Loaves & Fishes Dinner, benefiting
the 33 programs of Catholic Charities CYO.
Although the social landscape and needs of the Bay Area have changed since the volunteer group known as Auxiliaries of Little Children’s Aid (LCA) was founded 100 years ago, one aspect has remained constant: children need shelter and love. With this in mind, LCA has consistently and generously responded to Bay Area children when their needs have been threatened by natural disaster, illness, abuse or economic hardship. LCA was founded to protect and care for the orphans of the 1906 earthquake and became the founding organization of Catholic Charities CYO, the social services agency of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. LCA’s initial focus was on arranging foster care placement and medical care for children orphaned by the earthquake and devastating fire that followed. Today, the organization provides aid and support for children in CCCYO’s programs through financial assistance and a variety of service activities that include ongoing collections of vital supplies, tutoring assistance, and organizing holiday and birthday parties. Specific CCCYO programs supported by LCA include Rita da Cascia, Mission Day Care, St. Joseph’s Family Shelter, Richmond Hills Family Center, Children’s Village Child Development Center and Guerrero House.
In selecting Auxiliaries of Little Children’s Aid as a 2007 honoree, Archbishop Niederauer stated, “For 100 years LCA has made it their heartfelt mission to protect and better the lives of children in crisis. Their long-term devotion has changed the lives of thousands of Bay Area children in need.”
“The Auxiliaries of Little Children’s Aid have voluntarily donated their time, talents and resources for the children of San Francisco and their families. We are honored and delighted to be recognized by Catholic Charities CYO,” said Joan Higgins, President of Little Children’s Aid, and Anne Alvarez, President of Little Children’s Aid Junior Auxiliary.
Also being honored are B.J. and Bebe Cassin and The Cassin Educational Initiative Foundation for Outstanding Philanthropic Works, the Nibbi Family and Nibbi Brothers Construction for Outstanding Corporate Philanthropy, and the life and works of Leo T. McCarthy for Outstanding Service to the Community. This year’s honorees are especially focused on assisting families and children in need – from providing educational opportunities for inner-city youth, to building affordable housing for low income families, to advocating on behalf of poor families and foster children to providing direct aid to abused, troubled and homeless children.
The Loaves & Fishes Awards Dinner launches Catholic Charities CYO’s Centennial celebration, which honors 100 years of the agency’s work as a critical safety net for families, children and those in need. Created by Cardinal William Levada, Archbishop Emeritus of San Francisco, and Clint
Reilly, former President of the Catholic Charities CYO Board of Directors, the Loaves & Fishes Award honors extraordinary charitable works in our communities and raises vital funds for the 33 programs of Catholic Charities CYO. More than 6 million has been raised in support of Catholic Charities CYO through the Loaves & Fishes Awards and Dinner.
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Catholic Charities CYO is one of the largest non-profit providers of social services in the Bay Area.
Our mission is to serve and advocate for the poor, the sick, the distressed, children, youth, families,
immigrants and seniors, regardless of their faith. All money contributed to Catholic Charities CYO
directly supports our programs in San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo Counties.
Founded in 1907 to care for the orphans of the San Francisco earthquake, Catholic Charities is an
agency of the San Francisco Archdiocese, yet operates as an independent non-profit organization,
and does not in any way contribute to or receive funds from the church.
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