Catholic Charities-Diocese of Laredo (CCDOL) is a non-profit organization under the auspices of the Diocese of Laredo. As a multi-program human services agency, CCDOL is a community-based organization that has been serving the people of the Diocese of Laredo, located on the Mexican-American border, serving the areas Dimmit, Jim Hogg, La Salle, Maverick, Webb, Zapata, and Zavala counties since the 1970s.
CCDOL was initially established as Laredo Family Counseling Services to provide counseling for emotional and psychological problems affecting Laredo families. Since then, CCDOL has become a leader in providing various direct services to individuals and families who live in economically distressed areas.
The mission statement: Catholic Charities-Diocese of Laredo is committed to serving the emergency needs of the indigent and believes that all people have the right to live in an environment that is free of abuse, violence, fear, and oppression.
Vision Statement: Serving the needy to change the course of poverty.
Catholic Charities-Diocese of Laredo strives to strengthen and empower families through its diverse programs and social services. Services reflect the needs of the area’s population and the demographic makeup of the South Texas border. Its wide range of programs and resources enables CCDOL to meet the community’s and its people’s unique needs.
All program services are provided without regard to religion, race, income, disability, or sexual orientation.
This program has assisted community members since 1984 with the responsibilities of becoming an immigrant or U S citizen. Our immigration department is a long-standing and credible program that strives to unite families by providing low-cost immigration preparation & processing services.
We educate the community and create awareness with weekly public information given live on the local news. In addition, radio announcements and “know your rights workshops” are provided throughout the year. The information provided to the community includes the available services and ways to identify scammers, detect fraudulent services, respond to immigration authorities, and protect civil rights in the U.S.
Immigration Services & Outreach Activities provided are:
Consultations are available Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only. The consultation fee is $50.00.
Working to reduce poverty by assisting families with utility & rental assistance, ensuring they do not lose their homes due to hardships, such as losing a job, spouse, or reduced work hours. Hardships often prevent them from paying their rent or living with basic utility needs such as electricity, water & gas. Through this program, we ensure homelessness prevention by helping families remain in their homes. We have served hundreds of families but received thousands of inquiries for assistance.
More specifically, CCDOL provides support to individuals and families through the following programs and events:
For assistance, you must call 956-722-2443 on MONDAYS at 8:00 am until the list is filled. Note the list is usually filled in 20 minutes.
In 2009, the Medical Missionaries of Divine Mercy (MMDM), at the request of Bishop James A. Tamayo, DD, partnered with the Diocese of Laredo and launched the medical mission to serve the indigent healthcare needs in our community. The MMDM is a group of medical doctors, dentists, optometrists, nurses, priests, deacons, and volunteers from St. Laurence Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Every year, over 1,200 poor and disadvantaged people receive free medical, dental exams/ extractions, vision and hearing screening, chiropractic and physical therapy, and medical supplies such as wheelchairs. In addition, spiritual nourishment in the form of Healing Services is provided in several parishes for those who wish. The Annual Medical Mission is held the first week of November at San Luis Rey Parish, 3502 Sanders Ave. It is an excellent opportunity for those needing attention to be served by professionals in the health field.
It is estimated that approximately 1,200 people are served every year. The services provided are:
For more information on the Medical Mission, please visit the following two links:
The 2023 MEDICAL MISSION WAS A SUCCESS! THANK YOU!
We also collaborate with St. Ann’s Catholic Parish of Coppell, TX – Diocese of Dallas and host a Youth Mission to repair homes during the summer to promote a better quality of life for our community members. Thousands of families have been able to enjoy a meal, celebrate the holidays, and stay warm and/or cool during the winter and summer days…due to our community’s generosity.
Disasters strike unexpectedly and affect hundreds in our community, who are often left without basic needs, such as electricity, water, food, shelter, and clothing. Catholic Charities is present to assess and evaluate the disaster’s nature and provide the necessary aid, whether it be temporary or permanent shelter, food, clothing, and supplies.
We assist immigrant families & individuals released from immigration detention centers or who find themselves in our community and need assistance. Services offered: transportation, clothes distribution & travel care packages, which include water, snacks, a throw blanket, and a personal hygiene package. Approximately 80,000 families and individuals have received services through our Humanitarian efforts. To assist at La Frontera, the humanitarian respite center, please email LaFronteraCCDOL@gmail.com.For donations, contact rsolloa@ccdol.org
CCDOL serves as a site for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program every year. VITA is a free income tax service implemented in 2014 to help those living at or below the poverty level receive the maximum tax refund allowable. Annually, CCDOL completes over 350 tax returns, which have resulted in over $750,000.00 in taxes refunded to its clients yearly.
Throughout the year, especially during the Holidays, Catholic Charities distributes hundreds of food baskets, turkey dinners, Christmas gifts, blankets, fans, and/or heaters to the needy in our community. CCDOL provides food bags and turkeys in observance of Thanksgiving Day to over 275 families yearly. Participants at the CCDOL Senior Center also receive over 50 Thanksgiving food bags every year.
CCDOL celebrates Christmas in El Cenizo, TX (a rural community along the banks of the Rio Grande) for families of that community. Approximately 100 families receive food baskets, turkeys & blankets, and around 400 children receive toys, goodies, and a hygiene packet. In addition, over 50 elderly individuals receive blankets, food baskets and turkeys as well. Children have an opportunity to participate in an array of activities, such as decorating Christmas crafts and coloring.
During December of every year, CCDOL celebrates a Christmas giveaway event for families in the Diocesan community. Approximately 175 families receive food bags, 20 pounds of frozen chicken, and two gallons of Hominy. Around 350 children also receive toys during this Christmas event.
The Church outline signifies:
The Cross signifies the presence of our LORD in everything we do, for we serve our LORD by serving others.
Lift us up in strength, hope, and compassion
as we serve our suffering brothers and sisters
who have material and spiritual needs.
Give us an undivided heart (Ez. 11:19).
Give them a protected environment that is
free of abuse, violence, fear, and oppression.
Catholic Charities – Diocese of Laredo
serves everyone regardless of religion or faith.