CARA is a national, non-profit, Georgetown University affiliated research center that conducts social scientific studies about the Catholic Church. Founded in 1964, CARA has three major dimensions to its mission:

• to increase the Church’s self-understanding
• to serve the applied research needs of Church decision-makers
• to advance scholarly research on religion, particularly Catholicism.

CARA has more than 60 years of experience in quality social science research on the Catholic Church (for more about our history see our 60th anniversary blog). We offer a range of research and consulting services for dioceses, parishes, religious communities and institutes, and other Catholic organizations. CARA’s longstanding policy is to let research findings stand on their own and never take an advocacy position or go into areas outside its social science competence. All CARA researchers have advanced degrees in relevant academic disciplines as well as pastoral experience. CARA researchers are active in the academic community publishing and presenting research about the Catholic Church.

The Avila Institute of Gerontology, established in 1988 as the educational arm of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, provides faith-based education for long-term care professionals and caregivers.

Dedicated to compassionate elder care, the institute offers training on a range of aging-related topics, including dementia and behaviors, spirituality, and palliative care.

Their programs serve those working in long-term care facilities, religious communities, and other elder care settings.