Photo by Allison Shirreffs

ATLANTA—Enveloped in Atlanta history, supporters of Catholic Charities Atlanta gathered at its seventh annual gala to celebrate the many lives the organization has changed.

The event, held at the historic 200 Peachtree building—the former home of a premier Atlanta department store Davison’s—featured a live and silent auction, as well as dinner and dancing. More than 500 people attended the April 26 gala, where clergy mingled with lay people dressed in formal attire. Pictures of clients who have received assistance from Catholic Charities Atlanta, along with their stories of success, were displayed throughout the event space.

Held April 26 the Catholic Charities Atlanta Gala raised over $300,000 to help support the outreach of the nonprofit in a range of service areas, including immigration legal services, which includes assisting women and girls brought to Georgia as victims of human trafficking to find help and begin new lives. Photo By Allison Shirreffs

Scott Garrett, chair of the Catholic Charities Atlanta board of directors, welcomed those in attendance and encouraged them to bid on auction items.

“Your presence and support tonight of this event is critical to the sustainability of CCA and is necessary to help us continue to serve the nearly 20,000 individuals in need that the agency serves each year,” he said.

Stepping in for Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, who was not feeling well, Bishop David P. Talley gave the gala’s opening remarks. He spoke about the importance of the canonizations of popes St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII that were happening the next day.

“We are part of that same body of Christ that formed those saints of God,” he said. “And just as we are part of that body, Catholic Charities is part of that instrumentality that provides the mercy of God and the justice of God and acts as the person of Jesus when it’s most needed.”

In 2010, then-Msgr. Talley was one of three priests to receive Catholic Charities Atlanta’s annual Archbishop Donoghue Award. Named for the late archbishop, the award is presented to “exceptional people who demonstrate qualities of selfless service and devotion to helping others in need.”

This year the award went to the Georgia Knights of Columbus. Made up of more than 16,000 members in 106 councils throughout the state, the Knights offer several programs to serve the community. This is the first time an organization has won the award.

Mark McMullen, a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Smyrna, and the state secretary of the Georgia Knights of Columbus, said they were honored by the recognition.

“This is a big deal for us. It’s the first time an organization has won the award and it’s named for Archbishop Donoghue, who was very special to so many of us,” he said. “It gives the honor even more significance.”

State Deputy Sanford B. Hillsman accepted the award presented by Miguel R. San Juan, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities Atlanta.

“On behalf of the 16,000 Knights throughout Georgia, it is our pleasure and honor to accept this award named for Archbishop John F. Donoghue. He was a beloved member of the Knights of Columbus, and a fantastic individual we cared a lot for and always keep in our memories,” Hillsman said.

Taking part in the seventh annual fundraiser for Catholic Charities Atlanta are, left to right, Mary Ellen Garrett, Scott Garrett, chair of the CCA board of directors, Anna Garrett, and Bishop Luis R. Zarama, Atlanta auxiliary bishop. Photo By Allison Shirreffs

Russ Spencer, news anchor on FOX 5 Atlanta, served as the master of ceremonies, while Rupert’s Orchestra provided music during dinner and for dancing afterward.

While attendees enjoyed their meal, Jennifer Bensman, program director for Catholic Charities Atlanta’s Immigration Legal Services, shared stories of the work she and her team do to help those trying to obtain legal citizenship. Many who seek Catholic Charities’ help are victims of domestic violence or human trafficking—a growing problem in the U.S. Atlanta has the highest number of trafficked Hispanic females in the nation.

These victims face language barriers, lack of transportation to attend appointments, limited employment opportunities, minimal access to educational or job training opportunities and unfamiliarity with the U.S. justice system.

One of the main ways Catholic Charities Atlanta offers assistance is under the provisions of the Violence against Women Act (VAWA).

“Under VAWA, we serve the most vulnerable and under-served segment of the immigrant population,” Bensman said, adding that in 2013, the staff received 1,320 VAWA case phone calls.

“In Georgia, Catholic Charities maintains the highest rate of success—at 100 percent—in obtaining successful relief for these battered women and children.”

After sharing stories of client successes, Bensman reminded attendees that not every story has a happy ending.

“For every client who succeeds and gets to Catholic Charities, there are five or six more who don’t make it,” she said. “With your support, we can help a few more.”

The gala raised more than $300,000 to support the programs and services of Catholic Charities Atlanta. In its seven-year history, the event has raised a total of $1.5 million.

San Juan, who has headed the organization since March 2013, said the gala is an “extremely important event.”

“There is no way we could help the 20,000 people we serve every year if we did not have the financial support from the community,” he said. “This is a party, it’s a celebration. But at the same time it’s important, because we are raising funds to support the services and programs we need to serve the poor.”