Mission & History

Mission

The mission of CFS is to provide the highest quality counseling and child welfare services and other related services to people of all faiths in the North Central Alabama area.

History

Catholic Family Services can trace its roots back to 1903, to a Catholic Orphanage, St. Thomas, located in the Eastlake section of Birmingham. The first child entered that orphanage in July of 1903. Catholic Family Services were expanded in 1928 when nuns from the Archdiocese of Mobile began providing social services to newly arrived European immigrant who were employed in the coal and steel industries. CFS became a member of the United Way of Central Alabama in 1939.

Over time, the agency expanded its services to include child welfare services, services to women in crisis pregnancies, adoption services and infant foster care.

In the 1960's, as demand for services increased, the Huntsville office was opened and counseling and family services were added. Both offices were staffed by the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity and a staff of lay professionals. In 1969, the Diocese of Birmingham was established.

Again as the demand for services increased, the Tuscaloosa office opened in 1989 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and later expanded and relocated to a house across the street from the parish. In October 1998 the Florence office was opened at St. Joseph’s parish, and in 2001 the Gadsden office was opened.

Today the agency offers services for crisis pregnancies, infant care homes, adoption, marriage family and individual counseling as well as post-abortion counseling.