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
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