History

Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia (CCEVA) was founded in 1932 as the Norfolk Bureau of Catholic Charities to care for widows, orphaned and abandoned children. More than eighty years later, our mission has expanded to include services for all people in need in five main areas: Youth & Family Services, Financial and Housing Counseling (including financial assistance), Mental Health Counseling, Health and Community Services and Senior Services. We serve people of every race, creed, ethnicity and religion (80% of our clients are not Catholic). Field offices cover a region spanning the Eastern Shore of Virginia, South Hampton Roads, the Peninsula, Williamsburg, York County and the Northern Neck, with a total population of over 1.6 million.
CCEVA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit agency, fully licensed and accredited by the Council on Accreditation, and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. CCEVA is a member of our parent organization, Catholic Charities USA.
CCEVA has consistently maintained one of the lowest combined fundraising and administrative costs of all charities in the Commonwealth of Virginia — 9%. Strong stewardship is both our obligation and our promise to people who give so generously of themselves, their ideals, and their resources.

Mission

Guided by God’s love for all people, Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia provides comprehensive, compassionate services, collaborates with community partners and advocates for those in need in order to empower and enrich lives.

Vision

An empowered community touched by God’s Grace, where basic human needs are met and all life is held sacred. Catholic Charities fulfills the Church’s role in the mission of charity to anyone in need by providing compassionate, competent and professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities based on the value and dignity of human life.

Core Values

In order to remain faithful to our mission, Catholic Charities is guided by these core values: Service, Compassion, Empowerment, Dignity and Sanctity of Life and Stewardship.

Dignity and Sanctity of Life

Protecting the uniqueness of all human life because we are made in God’s image.
“God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27

Service

Service to others requires a giving of oneself.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” 1 Peter 4:10

Compassion

The desire to truly see and hear those we serve.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you made me welcome” Matthew 25:35

Empowerment

Education and encouraging our clients to reach their own goals.
“Reprove not an arrogant man, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Instruct a wise man, and he becomes still wiser; teach a just man, and he advances in learning.” Proverbs 9:8-9

Stewardship

Recognizing the resources entrusted to us and managing them with responsibility and integrity.
“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” Peter 4:10