September 2002 (Newstream) -- One of the oldest and largest U.S. social service networks is celebrating a milestone this year as it continues its work helping the victims of September 11.

Catholic Charities USA, which has raised more than $31 million for September 11 disaster assistance, is celebrating its 275th year of service. The giving spirit of the charity began in 1727 when 12 Ursuline Sisters started the first U.S Catholic health and human services in New Orleans. The spirit continues to this day, as the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C. approaches.

Catholic Charities has distributed more than $23 million to thousands of families affected by the tragedies. Among the services the organization offers include: emergency help for housing and utility bills; counseling for post?traumatic stress disorder; job placement for those who lost their jobs of have been laid off as a result of the terrorist attacks; legal aid; and outreach to immigrant populations.

And funds continue to be distributed as victims' needs grow, especially requests for mental health counseling and services. The agency, which serves any person affected by the tragedies regardless of creed, sees recovery as an ongoing process and will provide assistance as long as the need remains. Catholic Charities USA is also working on plans to better respond to a similar disaster in the future.

For more information, go to the website at catholiccharitiesusa.org.