Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County changes lives for good. We help people of all cultures and beliefs rise up out of poverty and overcome the barriers to self-sufficiency. Because most lives are a complex pattern of choices and circumstances, we take a holistic approach to helping people change their lives, taking into account the whole person as well as their family and life situations. We do this through a broad range of services, including job skills training and placement, older adult services, mental health and substance abuse counseling, housing assistance, financial education, immigration support, and refugee resettlement. We also provide educational programs that help young people develop into self-sufficient adults. Each year, we serve more than 40,000 people in need. Our compassion and commitment go beyond direct service and compel us to address the root causes of poverty. We launched Step Up Silicon Valley, a Movement to Cut Poverty, part of a nationwide effort started by Catholic Charities USA. We are working with a coalition of community-based organizations, interfaith allies, government representatives, and business leaders who are working to cut poverty in Santa Clara County. Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County has been serving individuals and families for 60+ years. While we are affiliated with the Diocese of San Jose, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County is a separately incorporated nonprofit agency. We are self-funded and operate independently with a CEO, Board of Directors, and separate financial structure. We are part of the nation's largest social services network through our affiliation with Catholic Charities USA, which serves more than 9 million people each year.