With a mission rooted in Catholic social teaching, the work of Catholic Charities is a legacy of commitments and contributions by talented and dedicated individuals, assisted by devoted and motivated volunteers and donors.
Our story is shared through leading news from each decade. If you are searching for more detailed information about our history, please contact us for further assistance.
1910s
- In 1910, Catholic leaders founded the National Conference of Catholic Charities to allow for dioceses to centralize the administration of aid in each region.
- By 1915, the Chicago “charities” bureau is created, which would become the primary human services provider for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
- In 1917, the first meeting of the “Associated Catholic Charities of Chicago” is held with a Board of nearly 200 prominent civic and government leaders, and a small group of priests.
1920s
- Catholic Charities becomes a recognized leader in Chicago among human service organizations.
- Our Home Bureau is founded, launching the foster care and adoption programs.
- Catholic Charities begins distributing welfare funds on behalf of Cook County.
1930s
- During the Great Depression, our efforts were expanded to aid the hungry and families facing long-term unemployment.
- St. Vincent’s Orphanage, started in 1881, moves into a new, larger building at Catholic Charities, now able to accommodate 250 women and children, plus staff.
1940s
- By 1945, Catholic Charities has 14 childcare homes, 12 daytime nurseries, and 900 foster homes, in addition to the daily emergency services and programs it provides.
- A new office opens in Waukegan to serve Lake County communities.
- In 1947, the first Catholic Charities Toy Shower, now called the Celebration of Giving, is organized by adoptive parents from St. Vincent’s Orphanage to provide toys for unadopted children.
1950s
- Services expand to include alcohol rehabilitation, adult counseling, adult education, hearing, vision, community casework for families, international adoptions, and expanded immigration services.
- Catholic Charities develops additional services for the elderly, including a home-delivered meal program, which later becomes “Meals on Wheels.”
1960s
- Catholic Charities makes news helping twenty-five teens flee oppression in Cuba, later ensuring they are all placed in loving Chicago foster homes.
- Our Counseling Education Services program is founded.
- President Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty” elevates engagement for our Head Start, Neighborhood Youth Corps, and Senior Aide Employment programs.
1970s
- Senior Services expand with the opening of the first drop-in social center.
- St. Vincent’s Orphanage closes as the State of Illinois takes over foster care. Catholic Charities recognizes the Maternity/Adoption need still exists and opens a day school for pregnant and young mothers called “The Art of Living.”
- Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) is founded to support those grieving the loss of a loved one by suicide.
1980s
- The first Latino Services Directory is published as this service area expands.
- Sousa Shelter opens in the West Loop the first family shelter, a new concept in the Chicago area.
- The Roseland Adolescent Parenting Program and other teen-pregnancy programs are expanded.
1990s
- Our first senior housing facility, Roseland Manor, opens in conjunction with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- Catholic Charities becomes a recognized expert in developing and managing independent-living senior residences that allow low-income seniors to live in safe, pleasant residential communities.
- In 1992, the HIV/AIDS Case Management program begins.
- Head Start expands on the federal level, allowing Catholic Charities to open more child development and Head Start centers.
- In 1996, the federal government enlists Catholic Charities to open the nation’s first-ever Women, Infant and Children (WIC) food centers to eliminate food stamp fraud.
2000s
- The supper program at 721 N. LaSalle Street expands to feed up to 200 individuals each weeknight with help from neighborhood partners and restaurants. Regional offices begin offering supper programs, as well.
- Catholic Charities Legal Assistance is established to aid those we serve who cannot afford an attorney.
- Catholic Charities’ Junior Board is established to welcome young professionals who wish to support the mission of the agency.
- In partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Catholic Charities dedicates Cooke’s Manor veterans housing facility, along with the opening additional homes. Veterans Services expand to include job counseling and support services for veterans and their families.
2010s
- The House of the Good Shepherd, which in 1980 had become a Domestic Violence Transitional Housing facility, joins Catholic Charities.
- The Pope Francis Shower Program begins at 721 N. LaSalle Street, offering homeless individuals a private, dignified way to restore themselves, and learn about other Catholic Charities programs and services.
- Catholic Charities celebrates its 100th Anniversary, including an Anniversary Mass at Holy Name Cathedral attended by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Papal Nuncio to the United States of America.
- In 2018, the Fr. Augustus Tolton Peace Center opens in the Austin neighborhood as a community resource center that includes violence prevention programs.
More recent milestones
- The COVID-19 pandemic forces a lockdown across Illinois, profoundly impacting every aspect of agency operations. Catholic Charities pivots overnight to continue to respond to the needs or those we serve, including drive-thru and pop-up food pantries, virtual telehealth sessions, drive-by visits for seniors, and vaccination events.
- The Refugee Resettlement Program responds to an influx of refugees coming to Chicago from Afghanistan, Sudan and other countries.
- The John & Kathy Schreiber Center for Human Services is dedicated in Round Lake, offering Lake County residents a second Catholic Charities regional office in this large geographic area.
