MEDIA RELEASE

For release September 29, 2021

For more information: Rita Hamele

402.680.1038; ritah@ccomaha.org

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF OMAHA EXPANDING TO NEW CAMPUS TO MEET GROWING NEED IN THE COMMUNITY

Omaha, NE – As Nebraskans face staggering hunger, domestic violence, mental health issues, poverty, and homelessness, Catholic Charities of Omaha – a nearly century-old agency – is answering the call by establishing a new campus located at 9223 Bedford Avenue, the “Bedford Building”.

On Wednesday, September 29th, the agency, serving 156,000 people annually, will host a Groundbreaking Ceremony officially marking the transformation of its 36,000-square-foot Bedford Building. Once complete, the space will help the agency expand programs and services and reach a growing number of Nebraskans in need – across urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout the agency’s 23-county Northeastern Nebraska service area. Catholic Charities will host a Groundbreaking Ceremony The media is invited to attend. Groundbreaking Ceremony Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 11:00 am 9223 Bedford Avenue, Omaha NE

“Our works of mercy are needed now more than ever. This is a critical moment, as we expand our ministry to meet the escalating needs of the most vulnerable in our community,” said Father Mike Eckley, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Omaha. “It’s not about a building; it’s about what happens inside that matters most. Our new campus gives us the space to grow and continue to be that unwavering beacon of hope, strength and resilience for our community. We don’t serve others because they’re Catholic, we serve because we are.”

As the community’s needs have grown, so has the organization, stretching its facilities beyond capacity. This past year alone, Catholic Charities served 156,000 people across all of its programs and services and distributed over 1.4 million pounds of food.

The Bedford Building will pave the way for the agency’s second century of service as an organizational campus and work as a third service site vital to operation of the agency’s six core programs: Behavioral Health Services, Domestic Violence Services, Emergency & Supportive Food Services, Family Strengthening Services, Immigration Legal Services and a Microbusiness & Asset Development Program. The Bedford Building will also serve as a base for further extension of services into rural communities across Northeast Nebraska. The organization will continue to serve people in North Omaha at the St. Martin de Porres Center and in South Omaha at the St. Juan Diego Center.

“Catholic Charities plays a critical role in this community, and its impact can be felt in so many ways,” said Archbishop George Lucas. “This new campus will help Catholic Charities broaden and deepen that impact significantly. As we have seen, the need will continue to grow. Now is a pivotal moment to support the mission of Catholic Charities.”

The Groundbreaking Ceremony will kick-off Project Mercy, a Capital Campaign for Catholic Charities. The organization is now entering the public phase of the campaign with a goal of raising $2.2 million.

About: Catholic Charities of Omaha ministers to the greatest and most fundamental needs of our community, serving over 155,000 people in need every year regardless of race, religion, creed, or socioeconomic status. Since 1926, Catholic Charities has had a rich tradition of serving and advocating for the voiceless, hungry, addicted, abused, and forgotten individuals and families throughout the Omaha Archdiocese’s 23 counties. With the help of our generous donors and supporters, we are touching lives, changing lives, and even saving lives, every day. THAT’S THE POWER OF COMMUNITY!

For more information about Catholic Charities, visit http://ccomaha.org.