Howard Garval, president and CEO of Child &Family Service, is retiring later this year after more than a decade leading one of Hawaii’s largest nonprofit organizations.

The 69-year-old Garval joined the social services agency, which offers programs for abuse victims, caregivers and families in crisis, in 2006. He will leave the organization on Sept. 30.

“I love Hawaii and feel blessed that I had the opportunity to come here, live and work here, and experience the beauty of the islands and its people,” Garval said in a news release. “I believe in the spirit of aloha and have witnessed it innumerable times in the years I have been here. In spite of all of the challenges that exist here and that those of us in the nonprofit sector face each day, I can honestly say it has all been worthwhile.”

The nonprofit group’s board of directors is searching for a new CEO.

Under Garval’s leadership, the group expanded CFS Family Centers statewide, connecting more families with community resources.

The group recently launched an anti-poverty program at its Family Centers on Maui, Molokai and Kauai, and worked with Goodwill Industries to offer job training. The CEO also helped reduce its dependence on government funding by raising money from private and nongovernmental organizations, according to CFS.