Social Services for Struggling New Yorkers

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens: who are we?

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens (CCBQ) is a nonprofit, non-denominational
organization dedicated to helping our neighbors in need with mercy and compassion for over 125 years. As one of the country’s largest faith-based affordable housing providers, we offer more than 4,500 low-income housing units. We sponsor over 160 programs and services for individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, serving 500,000 people in Brooklyn and Queens as of 2025.

As a human services agency, we assist everyone by providing childcare, home-delivered meals, mental health clinics, affordable housing, and other life-changing services. Additionally, we operate over 60 food pantries and served more than 600,000 individuals with food bags last year. Although we identify as Catholic, our mission is to serve all individuals in need, ensuring that no one is left behind.

CCBQ is one of the most efficiently run nonprofit organizations, with 95 cents of every dollar raised directly to our programs. We offer various services to meet community needs, including support for children and youth, adults and seniors, individuals with mental health challenges, and those who feel isolated. Our commitment to justice and equality drives us to work diligently to empower families and individuals, helping them achieve greater self-sufficiency.

We understand that poverty is a complex issue, and we take a holistic approach to addressing it. Our programs and services provide essential resources and support while helping to build stronger, more connected communities. Everyone deserves access to basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare, and we strive to ensure that our neighbors in need can access these resources.

Countless members of our community in Brooklyn and Queens have turned to CCBQ for assistance over the years. We are proud to have positively impacted so many lives and remain committed to serving our neighbors with compassion, dignity, and respect.

Download our brochure to access a full list of our 160+ programs and services.
Our Mission

Our Mission

Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens translates the Gospel of Jesus Christ into action by affirming the dignity and value of every person, especially the most vulnerable members of our diverse society.

Catholic Charities develops effective responses to human need and joins with all people of good will in advocating for a social order which promotes justice and embraces human development.

Our team goes the extra mile

To keep things running smoothly in a large organization, it is crucial to have passionate and effective board members and employees. Meet the leaders who are helping us innovate and forge ahead in our work to change and improve the lives of our neighbors in need.

Our Boards
Our Staff

We have young leaders making a difference

For fresh ideas, you need fresh perspectives. If you’re a young professional with a commitment to your community and are interested in meeting like-minded individuals and giving back to your community, please consider joining our Junior Board or volunteering in some other way.

Volunteer Opportunities

Since 1899, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been providing quality social services to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens, and currently offers 160-plus programs and services for children, youth, adults, seniors and those struggling with mental illness. As one of the largest faith-based developers of affordable housing in the country, Catholic Charities provides 4,330 units of housing for low-income seniors, families, the formerly homeless, those with HIV and those struggling with mental illness.
Founded in 1945, Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services, Inc. ( CCNS-- formerly known as Builders For Family and Youth, Inc.) provides more than 160 programs and services for children and youth, adults and seniors, those who are struggling with mental illness and the isolated. Services under the auspices of CCNS are primarily contracted and funded through the City, State and Federal government.
Since 1975, Catholic Charities Progress of Peoples (CCPOP) Development Corporation, the affordable housing developer of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, has been transforming vacant land and buildings into affordable housing units and transforming the lives of individuals and families. In the past 37 years, CCPOP has completed more than 4,330 units of housing for low-income older adults, families, formerly homeless individuals, those with HIV and those struggling with mental illness. Family and senior housing buildings are a priority, which is why Catholic Charities remains committed to creating homes throughout Brooklyn and Queens.
Catholic Charities believes that a safe and affordable home is a necessity, and provides residences where adults are able to live independently and affordably. As the largest provider of affordable senior housing, Catholic Charities offers 23 senior housing buildings with 2,186 units, five family housing buildings with 1,068 units, four residences for formerly homeless adults offering 433 units and more than 60 units of housing for formerly homeless veterans. Residents take part in a wide range of activities and events which provide opportunities for education, socialization and recreation.
Saints Joachim & Anne Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Brooklyn’s only Catholic nursing facility, is a 200-bed, seven-story home overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Coney Island. Elderly residents receive 24-hour, high-quality nursing and medical care from board-certified physicians including post-acute and short-stay, long-term care, rehabilitation services, general medical care, medical subspecialties, bariatric care and holistic therapy, ventilator and tracheostomy care, specialized diet, recreation and pastoral care. The modern facility boasts an oceanside café and a large landscaped garden with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. *Operated as an independent legal entity.
Founded in 1971, Catholic Migration Services serves the needs of immigrants and refugees living in Brooklyn and Queens. Highly trained staff address the needs of immigrants by providing legal assistance on immigration, housing and workers’ rights. Immigrants from 167 countries are served regardless of religion, race, or immigration status. Catholic Migration works directly with the various Ethnic Ministries of the Diocese to empower these communities and ensure that pastoral needs of immigrants are being addressed.