ABOUT US
Values & Uniqueness
Action Statement
Catholic Charities provides compassionate social services that respond to the suffering of the vulnerable and those in crisis in our local communities.
Mission Statement
The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide services that impact family, neighborhood, and society so that lives are filled with hope.
Purpose Statement
We fight poverty and its consequences through crisis intervention services and by strengthening families resulting in new opportunities and changed futures.
WHO WE ARE
Catholic Charities San Bernardino & Riverside Counties, established as a nonprofit organization in California in 1980, is deeply committed to its mission of alleviating suffering and supporting the underprivileged in our local communities. Operating under 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation status, our Articles of Incorporation distinctly outline our role in social welfare activities within San Bernardino and Riverside counties, welcoming individuals regardless of their religious affiliations.
As the Official Social Outreach Ministry of the Diocese of San Bernardino, Catholic Charities maintains a strong connection to the Catholic faith while operating as a distinct entity. We proudly carry the name and values of the Catholic faith, actively engaging with the community on behalf of the Bishop and the Diocese of San Bernardino.
Our dedication extends to all individuals in need, without discrimination based on religious beliefs. In collaboration with individuals, families, and communities, we advocate for their needs and champion their right to self-determination.
Our motto, ‘Providing Help, Creating Hope,’ underpins our comprehensive approach to crisis intervention services, which positively impacts thousands of adults, children, and seniors each year. Our overarching objective is to assist individuals and families in distress by timely intervention, addressing their urgent financial, social, emotional, and physical needs. This support enables them to regain stability in the aftermath of a crisis, empowering them to move forward in their lives.
Catholic Charities is locally renowned for its unwavering commitment to this critical mission. We are deeply dedicated to struggling families and uphold the highest standards of accountability, trustworthiness, and resourcefulness.
At Catholic Charities, we unite individuals of goodwill to combat poverty and fortify families. We firmly believe that strong, stable, and healthy families are the bedrock of resilient communities. Our role in the safety net is integral, preventing people from falling into utter destitution and providing a helping hand when life has dealt them a blow. We embrace our social responsibility to care for the marginalized, fostering an environment where they feel valued and respected. Our compassionate service to the poor and vulnerable epitomizes the essence of who we are in our Inland Counties.”
Geography
A significant factor that shapes our uniqueness is that San Bernardino and Riverside Counties are two of the largest counties by area in the United States, encompassing over 27,000 square miles with more than 4 million residents. Our geographic region includes urban cities, extensive suburban developments, rural agricultural pockets, and tiny communities scattered throughout a very large unincorporated and isolated desert. Catholic Charities addresses this geographic challenge with a well-coordinated and complicated web of staff, services, and locations.
Array Of Services
Catholic Charities is quite unique in the broad range of services provided by one organization. Most frequently, families come to us due to an unexpected personal or financial crisis and without the resources they need to resolve the crisis on their own. Varying problems require varying solutions, and therefore require a broad range of interventions and services. Catholic Charities assists families to regain their stability by providing the vitally necessary social services and by increasing access to other services that may available in the community, so families may move beyond the crisis and forward with their lives.
Staff
Catholic Charities staff is as diverse as the community it serves in every way. Our staff is exceptional and bonded by an eagerness to share with others whatever each has to bring to the table based on their education, personal experience, and specific training. Those employed at Catholic Charities readily accept that our work is not just a job – it is a mission. Our culture of kindness and service is the backbone of who we are and what we are able to accomplish in the community.
Leadership
TIM NEY
Chief Executive Officer, USMC Veteran, Executive MBA
Tim Ney, a San Diego native and Marine Corps veteran, serves as CEO of Catholic Charities San Bernardino & Riverside Counties, where he combines extensive experience in operations, financial management, and strategic leadership with a deep commitment to service. Holding a Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from UC San Diego, and an Executive MBA from San Diego State University, Tim has driven significant growth in previous roles. At the Armed Services YMCA San Diego, he expanded programs by 47% and increased reserves from $500,000 to an estimated $6.8 million. As COO at Feeding America San Diego, he led a turnaround that improved inventory accuracy, expanded food distribution, and reduced costs. His dedication to community extends beyond his professional roles, with prior active involvement in organizations like Rotary, the San Diego Food Bank Advisory Board, and the UCSD Extension Continuous Improvement Advisory Board. Tim’s global perspective, shaped by travels to 28 countries, enhances his understanding of diverse cultures, further guiding his mission to provide compassionate care through Catholic Charities. His leadership is deeply rooted in faith and a family tradition of military service, with his father’s 33-year Marine Corps career and his son’s current Navy service exemplifying the sense of duty that drives his commitment to making a lasting impact on the community.
JESSE GONZALEZ
Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Jesse Gonzalez joined Catholic Charities San Bernardino & Riverside Counties in 2011 and brings many years of experience in the areas of business, accounting, management, and administration. Jesse currently serves as Chief Operating Officer, and having also previously served as Director of Accounting, continues to manage the day-to-day accounting activity. In addition to Accounting, Mr. Gonzalez also manages the areas of Administration, Risk Management, I.T., and Facilities Management. Jesse also provides direct support to the Catholic Charities Board of Directors and its committees and also serves as a member of the Diocese of San Bernardino Lay Employees’ Pension Plan Board as well as the San Bernardino County Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) Board. Mr. Gonzalez holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix. Jesse has also completed the Catholic Charities USA Nonprofit Executive Management Certificate Program at the University of San Diego as well as the Catholic Charities USA O’Grady Leadership Institute. Jesse has a genuine understanding and sensitivity to the needs of the vulnerable communities Catholic Charities serves and takes tremendous pride in the ability to utilize his faith, knowledge, skills, and experience to such an impactful organization as Catholic Charities allowing Jesse to truly put his faith into action.
AGUSTIN AVANTES
Directors of Services
Mr. Agustin Avantes is the Director of Services at Catholic Charities and holds a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) from California Baptist University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology Law and Society from UC Riverside. Agustin is bilingual/bicultural in Spanish and holds numerous certifications in the field of human services. He has over 15 years of experience working in the nonprofit and public sectors. His work in the community is broad with his experience engaging with diverse populations including children, adolescents, adults, those with disabilities, advanced age, the homeless, and those with mental health issues. Mr. Avantes has received recognition from Congressman Mark Takano and former Congresswoman Gloria Negrete McLeod for his perseverance and dedication to being a good steward of the community. Mr. Avantes shows true compassion and empathy for the most vulnerable populations in our region and carries himself with professionalism and eagerness to provide the most impactful human services for those in need in our two-county region.