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Our History

1926-2026

Catholic Charities Founded

1926

Catholic Charities Founded

In early 1926, under the direction of Rev. James Borer, Diocesan Catholic Charities is formed in Omaha to serve as a contact point between Catholic and other relief agencies. This organization was the forerunner to what we today call simply: Catholic Charities.

1926

St. James Orphanage

1931

St. James Orphanage

Bishop Joseph Rummel launches a major fundraising effort and breaks ground on St. Joseph’s Hall, a new boys’ dormitory at St. James Orphanage—replacing facilities long operated by the Sisters of Mercy since the orphanage’s founding.

1931

National Conference Hosted

1932

National Conference Hosted

Omaha hosts the National Conference of Catholic Charities (currently known as Catholic Charities USA), welcoming 1,500 delegates from 85 agencies. That same year, more than 5,000 people attend the dedication of a major addition to St. James Orphanage.

1932

Scholarship Fund Established

1937

Scholarship Fund Established

Under Rev. James J. Morrin, Catholic Charities establishes a scholarship fund to support students pursuing graduate degrees in social work.

1937

Longest Serving Leader

1942

Longest Serving Leader

Rev. Floyd Fischer becomes executive director, beginning more than two decades of leadership—the longest tenure in agency history.

1942

Post-War Demand Surge

1946

Post-War Demand Surge

As World War II ends, Catholic Charities marks its 20th anniversary and responds to a 25% increase in need, serving hundreds of families and thousands of individuals.

1946

Million-Dollar Milestone

1950

Million-Dollar Milestone

The agency surpasses $1 million in total funds distributed since its founding.

1950

Leadership Goes National

1955

Leadership Goes National

Monsignor Floyd Fischer, still serving as executive director of Catholic Charities, is elected president of the National Conference of Catholic Charities (currently known as Catholic Charities USA). Fischer would serve two terms in that capacity through 1957.

1955

Meeting Increasing Needs

1960

Meeting Increasing Needs

Catholic Charities grows to serve an average of 500 families each month, reflecting expanding community needs.

1960

New Headquarters Built

1964

New Headquarters Built

A new headquarters is constructed at 42nd and Marinda Streets in Omaha, ensuring continued service amid downtown redevelopment.

1964

First Branch Opens

1968

First Branch Opens

The agency opens its first branch office in North Omaha, expanding its reach into the community in the remodeled St. Benedict’s School.

1968

Name Change Announced

1969

Name Change Announced

The organization is renamed United Catholic Social Services (UCSS) under new leadership of Rev. Vincent Mainelli.

1969

Behavioral Health Expansion

1972

Behavioral Health Expansion

Rev. Jim Schwertley, having spent nearly a decade closely studying addiction and alcohol treatment programs, convinces Father Mainelli and Archbishop Daniel Sheehan to incorporate an alcohol counseling program, marking a significant expansion into behavioral health services curriculum.

1972

Leader in Alcoholism Services

1975

Leader in Alcoholism Services

Under Rev. William Kelligar, the agency undergoes rapid growth and becomes a leading provider of alcoholism services in Nebraska.

1975

St. Raphael’s Opens

1978

St. Raphael’s Opens

United Catholic Social Services (UCSS) opens the St. Raphael’s Transitional Living Facility for adult and young men recovering from chemical dependency.

1978

End of an Era

1980

End of an Era

St. James Home and Day Care Center—the former St. James Orphanage—closes permanently in August after years of financial difficulties, marking the end of an era. One teacher describes St. James as “one in a million.”

1980

Campus Reimagined

1986

Campus Reimagined

A major capital campaign restores and reimagines the St. James Campus.

1986

Sheehan Center Dedicated

1989

Sheehan Center Dedicated

St. James Campus is rededicated as the Daniel E. Sheehan Archdiocesan Center, in honor of Archbishop Daniel E. Sheehan.

1989

Juan Diego Center Opens

1991

Juan Diego Center Opens

United Catholic Social Services (UCSS) opens the Juan Diego Center in South Omaha to assist with immigration counseling, bilingual counseling, housing assistance, and food pantry services for the community’s growing Hispanic population. The Juan Diego Center begins as a collaborative effort with Catholic Hispanic Ministries, which helped to staff the center.

1991

First Irish Fest Held

1992

First Irish Fest Held

The first annual Irish Fest benefit—featuring a traditional Irish dinner of corned beef and cabbage and soda bread—is held at the Scoular Building in Omaha. A crowd of 325 people attended that first year, netting about $20,000 for United Catholic Social Services (UCSS), establishing a tradition of community support.

1992

First Lay Director Named

1994

First Lay Director Named

In January, Scot Adams succeeds Rev. William Kelligar as executive director of UCSS, becoming the first lay person to lead the agency in its 68-year history. At the time, United Catholic Social Services (UCSS) employed 125 people and served 45,000 people throughout the 23 counties of the Omaha Archdiocese.

1994

Return to Catholic Charities

1995

Return to Catholic Charities

Following a survey of its key donors, United Catholic Social Services (UCSS) changes its name back to Catholic Charities. The organization returns to its original name: Catholic Charities.

1995

Campus for Hope Opens

1998

Campus for Hope Opens

The Omaha Campus for Hope, a 36,000-square-foot detoxification and inpatient treatment center, opens on North 16th Street.

1998

75 Years of Service

2001

75 Years of Service

Catholic Charities celebrates its 75th anniversary. With a staff of 175, the agency serves 65,000 people annually.

2001

Responding to Hurricane Katrina

2005

Responding to Hurricane Katrina

Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Catholic Charities mobilizes to provide assistance to people displaced by the storm. In addition to providing food and mental health counseling, the agency sent four truckloads of supplies to the New Orleans area and places evacuees in housing at St. James Manor.

2005

National Gathering Returns

2015

National Gathering Returns

Catholic Charities of Omaha hosts “Harvesting Hope in the Heartland,” the annual gathering of Catholic Charities USA, which the agency last hosted in 1932.

2015

Leadership & New Campus

2020

Leadership & New Campus

At the onset of a global pandemic, Fr. Mike Eckley is appointed Executive Director. Catholic Charities purchases former West Telemarketing building at 9223 Bedford Avenue, envisioning a new hub for integrated services-the St. Teresa of Calcutta Campus.

2020

New Campus, New Leadership

2022

New Campus, New Leadership

St. Teresa of Calcutta campus opens. Denise Bartels becomes the organization’s first female executive director. Educated by the Sisters of Mercy, her leadership reflects a meaningful full-circle moment—from the Sisters of Mercy who shaped the agency’s earliest mission at the St. James Orphanage—to a new generation carrying that spirit forward.

2022

100 Years of Hope

2026

100 Years of Hope

Catholic Charities celebrates 100 years of service—honoring a legacy of hope for the lives we serve and a continued commitment to meeting the critical needs of our community with dignity.

2026

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Catholic Charities Today

Events

Stories That Shaped a Century

Finding Freedom – and Hope – at Catholic Charities of Omaha

One of our long-term clients, a survivor of domestic violence, has achieved a major milestone on her path to stability and independence. She first came to our office in 2022 and initially applied for Adjustment of Status (AOS) through her U.S. citizen spouse. While awaiting a decision, the client experienced severe physical and psychological abuse from her husband. Eventually, he withdrew his support for her petition and refused to attend their scheduled USCIS interview, which could lead to the denial of her case.

Recognizing the urgency and danger of her situation, our team filed a VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) petition on her behalf. Our supervising attorney successfully consolidated her immigration cases and provided full representation at her VAWA-based AOS interview.

The interview with USCIS went smoothly. The officer was sensitive and respectful, ensuring the client was not re-traumatized. Following submission of her required medical examination, the officer indicated the case would be approved.

Now, both the client and her son are on track to receive their green cards—free from the control of her abuser and with a new sense of safety and self-determination. This outcome reflects the strength of the client and the impact of trauma-informed, client-centered legal representation.

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Guilermina’s Journey to Safety, Stability, and a New Beginning

When Guillermina first came to Catholic Charities of Omaha’s Immigration Legal Services Program (CC-ILS), she carried the weight of a trauma no parent should ever face. In 2020, her daughter survived a sexual assault — Guillermina was devastated and found herself as an indirect victim eligible for a U-Visa.

By 2023, Guillermina reached a critical milestone. U‑Visa holders must apply for lawful permanent residency before their status expires, or they risk losing the protections they fought so hard to secure. Unsure of the next steps and determined to safeguard her family’s future, she turned to Catholic Charities for guidance.

As we’ve done for a century, Catholic Charities walked alongside Guillermina, empowering human dignity at every turn. Together, we prepared and filed her adjustment of status application at the end of 2023 – this was a pivotal step toward long‑term stability.

In 2025 – her long, arduous wait was over – Guillermina received the news that her Lawful Permanent Residency was approved. With her green card in hand, she now has permanent legal status in the United States and a clear pathway to citizenship within five years.

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Family Reunification: A Mission of Mercy

A few years ago, Guadalupe – a U.S. Citizen building a life in rural Nebraska – was glowing with joy. She was pregnant with her first child and happily preparing for the birth of her daughter. Though Guadalupe lived in Nebraska, her family remained in Mexico, prompting a trip to see them before the baby was born.

But while in Mexico she experienced medical complications that required emergency labor. She was blessed with Sofia and instantly fell in love. Guadalupe’s joy was quickly clouded with pain. Although the child was eligible for U.S. citizenship through her mother, the family initially received incorrect legal advice and began pursuing an unnecessary consular immigration process.

Guadalupe was faced with a heart-breaking choice. Her employment and financial stability – her only means to care for her new daughter – were in the U.S. And because of the incorrect legal advice, she falsely believed her daughter would need to stay in Mexico. Guadalupe reluctantly returned to Nebraska. The case stalled and the mother and daughter remained separated for nearly two years.

In November, Guadalupe came to El Puente. Our legal team conducted a thorough case review and quickly identified the correct pathway: the child qualified for citizenship through her U.S. citizen mother. We worked closely with the client to prepare and submit an application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), which formally recognizes the child as a U.S. Citizen born outside the United States.

Through our legal guidance and advocacy, the case was approved and a U.S. passport was issued at the precocious age of two! This final step will allow the child to enter the United States as a Citizen and reunite with her mother.

This case highlights the critical importance of access to accurate legal services. Without proper guidance, families can remain separated for years despite clear eligibility under U.S. law. Our intervention helped correct the legal pathway, restore the child’s citizenship rights, and bring this family closer to reunification.

For this mother, the outcome means more than legal recognition—it means finally bringing her daughter home after nearly two years of separation.

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Behind every program is a person. Behind every service is a story.

For 100 years, these moments of compassion, resilience, and love have shaped not only individual lives, but the very legacy of Catholic Charities. Each story reflects dignity restored, hope renewed, and communities strengthened—reminding us that our mission lives on through the people we serve and the generations who continue to carry it forward.

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Centennial Engagement

Make History for the Next 100 Years!

Take Your Part in the Centennial

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