SAN ANTONIO — Catholic Charities first Leadership in Faith and Service Award dinner is going to prove a tough act to follow. The event, held March 25 at the Plaza San Antonio Hotel, drew a crowd of 400-plus to honor Father David Garcia, rector of San Fernando Cathedral.
Steve Saldaña, president/CEO of Catholic Charities, told attendees that the organization has grown from offering six programs to 17 in just five years. Services are also provided in a dozen counties, stretching from the outskirts of Houston to Austin.
    While acknowledging that it has been a tough time for nonprofits recently, Saldaña said Catholic Charities in San Antonio continues to grow, as evidenced by the recent addition of two new programs.
    The organization has partnered with the United Way to provide the “Insure a Kid Program” in conjunction with the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Additional grants are providing outreach efforts through school districts.
    “Good health is the way children do better in school,” added Saldaña.

    In further detailing Catholic Charities’ “cradle to grave” continuum of care, Saldaña discussed his organization’s new Guardianship Services and Money Management Program, developed in conjunction with Bexar County government officials.
    “These programs ensure that seniors are able to take care of themselves,” said the president/CEO.
    Following a short video presentation and his introduction by Sally Gómez-Kelley, a member of the pastoral staff at San Fernando Cathedral, Father Garcia said it was a privilege to be honored by Catholic Charities, and that he had long admired the work of the organization in providing vital services.
    He talked about how Catholic Charities will be partnering with the cathedral to provide
educational and medical services after construction is completed at its new community center,
named the SBC Centre at San Fernando.
    “Today, the scandal of San Antonio is the large number of people who still live in poverty,” said Father Garcia. “Catholic Charities works with communities and individuals to meet their needs. Catholic Charities will be bringing its track record downtown, where it began. We will say to downtown that all are important. We will be working to make our city known as a model of care and compassion.”
    The cathedral rector concluded by saying that each city has a special place at its core and in San Antonio that place is San Fernando. “We will work to carry on the dream of justice and peace,” he said.
In closing, event co-chairperson F. Peter Herff thanked all in attendance for their support.