A Brief History

Though SCCC is now a 501(c )(3) non-profit organization with no religious affiliation, our origins are based on the efforts of a determined Catholic nun named Sister Carmen Ptacnik. Sister Carmen came to Lafayette in 1970 when the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul assigned her to work with the Immaculate Conception parish. Her job was to assess the needs of people in the community.

She began by visiting people in the parish, and visiting many of the low-income households in the community. Sister Carmen soon became a familiar face, a person who would try to help in any way she could. Because Sister Carmen was fluent in Spanish, she was able to communicate easily with both English speakers and with those living in the area who spoke mainly Spanish.

As the years passed, local people who wanted to help the community would donate food, clothing, toys and household goods for Sister Carmen to distribute. Her work expanded and donations continued to increase. Though Sister Carmen returned to California in 1976, her work was continued by John Fiorini, Anita Fiorini, Karl Matz, Sister Mariana, and later by Sister Mary Loretta.

John Fiorini and his employer, IBM, provided funds to start the Sister Carmen Community Center. The Center officially opened its doors October 25, 1976 in a small section of the Scientific Cleaners Building on East Baseline Road in Lafayette, CO.

In 1977, Sister Mary Loretta met with John Fiorini and Karl Matz and proposed that the Center open a Thrift Store where clothing and household items would be offered for sale at minimal prices. In addition to providing a small income to help defray operating expenses, she reasoned that the Thrift Store would offer low-income individuals and families an opportunity to purchase the things they needed at affordable prices. Those who could not pay anything needed only to meet with Sister Mary Loretta to receive their requests at no charge. The deacons agreed, and the Thrift Store began operation. Our Thrift Store is still in operation today, providing a steady revenue stream for all of our services.

In 1978 the Sister Carmen Community Center (SCCC) was incorporated as a 501(c )(3) non-profit organization. Sister Carmen’s name was kept in her honor. SCCC hired its first paid staff in 1986.

After becoming a non-profit organization, SCCC continued to grow, and moved into and out of several locations in Lafayette. In April 2002 SCCC moved into its current home at 701 West Baseline Road, Lafayette, CO, a facility built by the City of Lafayette on land donated by the Lafayette Masons.

Currently, we are staffed by 16 dedicated full and part-time employees, and two interns. We have an extraordinary 300+ volunteer base, and a dedicated community of donors. Additionally, we collaborate or partner with local agencies in our community; please see our list of Community Partners.

SCCC continues to flourish, providing assistance to the community through the example set by Sister Carmen Ptaniak. We currently serve over 1,400 households annually through our Food Bank and other Community Assistance services.