About Us
Our Mission
For more than 100 years, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Des Moines has been committed to transforming lives through service, guided by the core principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Our mission—Family-centered services that Empower Individuals and Strengthen Families—reflects our deep belief in the inherent dignity of every person and the importance of fostering strong, resilient communities.
Empowering and Strengthening Communities
Our vision—to connect people with exceptional life-changing experiences that inspire full human potential and growth—drives our commitment to both immediate care and long-term transformation. Through our services, we provide vital resources to those in need, whether it’s through protecting women and children from domestic abuse, resettling refugees, offering counseling, sheltering homeless families, or providing food assistance. Yet our mission goes beyond meeting basic needs. We aim to empower individuals, helping them regain a sense of dignity and hope, and equipping them to achieve self-sufficiency.
Solidarity
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
Life and Dignity of the Human Person
Call to Family, Community, and Participation
Rights and Responsibilities
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Care for God’s Creation
Serving with Dignity and Respect
Catholic Charities exists to respond to the needs of those in our midst, offering compassion and support to individuals and families who are facing various forms of adversity. We believe in the interconnectedness of all people as children of God, and that when one member of our community thrives, we all thrive. With a foundation rooted in solidarity and justice, we work to build a society where everyone has the opportunity to flourish.
Serving Southwest Iowa Since 1924
1924
Social Justice
Bishop Thomas W. Drumm united the efforts of the parishes to serve those in need, founding Catholic Charities of Des Moines and establishing the Christ Child Home to house infants and place them for adoption.
1925
Impact
In May, the Christ Child Home officially opened to house infants and place them for adoption.
1930
Impact
Our partnership with the Des Moines Public Welfare Bureau, later called the Des Moines Community Chest, and now known as United Way, began.
1945
Social Justice
Catholic Charities of Council Bluffs was organized to serve the western part of the Diocese of Des Moines.
1945
Refugee Services
Following WWII, the U.S. Catholic Conference took action to assist homeless and displaced Polish people, giving birth to the relocation program and effort to bring refugees to our diocese, resulting in our Refugee Services program.
1960
Counseling
The standard was set that all professional therapists on staff for the Counseling program at Catholic Charities of Des Moines have a master’s degree in social work before being assigned for clinical services.
1961
Impact
Catholic Charities’ offices were located in the Old Tromar Building, also home to Best Bowling Alley, until a disastrous fire destroyed the facility, forcing a move to the Old Royal Union Building for a year from 1963-64.
1964
Impact
Catholic Charities’ offices moved to 1402 Woodland Street, where we operated for ten years.
1970
Social Justice
Charles Roth became the first lay director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Des Moines.
1975
Refugee Services
Under the direction of Bishop Dingman, Larry Breheny initiated diocesan efforts to resettle refugees arriving in the United States from Southeast Asia.
1978
Impact
Bishop Dingman’s Charity Golf Classic was held for the first time at Willow Creek Golf Course.
1980
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
The Domestic Violence Shelter was established in Council Bluffs to protect abused women and children. The program later added Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking services, ans was expanded to include male victims of domestic violence.
1988
Food Pantry
Catholic Charities opened an Outreach Service Center on the premises of Visitation Parish. The center was later renamed St. Mary’s Family Resource Center and is now known as Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry.
1990
Emergency Family Shelter
Catholic Charities acquired the Rufus Jones Shelter from the Kindred Community Trust to provide safe, clean and secure housing for families experiencing homelessness. Originally called the St. Joseph’s Shelter, we now serve this vulnerable community under the roof of the Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter.
1991
Food Pantry
The Outreach Service Center was renamed the St. Mary’s Family Resource Center and moved next door to 1240 E. 12th Street.
1992
Social Justice
The Board of Directors approved a change in our organization’s name from “Catholic Council for Social Concern” to “Catholic Charities” and with it, we adopted this logo, symbolizing fields and furrowed soil which was originally created for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Iowa on October 4, 1979 and used primarily by the diocese for more than 13 years.
1993
Social Justice
In response to the disastrous floods that impacted our service area, Catholic Charities USA allocated about $1.5 million to Catholic Charities of Des Moines to assist in aiding flood victims throughout the Diocese. The incredible partnership CCUSA provides to its member agencies is put into action through funding and in-kind gift allocations, advocacy efforts, research and information dissemination, personal and professional development opportunities, and more.
1993
Impact
Catholic Charities’ headquarter offices were moved to 601 Grand Ave, formerly Home Federal Savings & Loan, which Edward and Elanor Ochylski generously donated.
1995
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
A dedication and blessing ceremony was held for Council Bluffs’ new offices at 411 E. Broadway. The building was rented and housed the Council Bluffs’ offices of Catholic Charities and the diocesan family life and deaf ministry programs.
1995
Volunteerism
Catholic Charities’ Volunteer Ministries Program, under the direction of volunteer coordinator Mary Rose Stone, was launched “to invest the giftedness of individuals and groups into purposeful service which enhances and/or expands existing service functions of Catholic Charities.”
1999
Food Pantry
St. Mary’s Family Resource Center was relocated about a mile down the road to 1815 E. Hubbell Ave and is now called the Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry.
1999
Impact
A fund was established by the Catholic Charities’ Board of Directors to honor Larry Breheny and celebrate the extraordinary service of our dear friend while helping to ensure the future of the agency during the organization’s 75th anniversary year.
2001
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Bishop Charron led Catholic Charities through a period of great growth in many programs, including the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program in Council Bluffs, which broke ground on a new facility.
2005
Emergency Family Shelter
The inaugural “No Room at the Inn” annual fundraiser was held to raise awareness of homelessness.
2006
Emergency Family Shelter
The Emergency Family Shelter updated the kitchen and dining areas thanks to a generous donation from the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.
2006
Social Justice
Bishop Charron promoted the work of Catholic Charities at local events like an iCubs game.
2008
Volunteerism
More than 75 individuals and groups answered Bishop Pates’ call to help flood victims.
2009
Social Justice
In January of 2009, Catholic Charities, along with Bishop Richard Pates, announced a new effort to promote the social justice mission of the Catholic Church. The Social Justice Consortium, a gathering of individuals whose ministry involves social justice issues, began meeting quarterly with a goal to work toward a comprehensive and consistent ethic of life for the pursuit of the common good.
2010
Refugee Services
Catholic Charities becomes the only agency in Iowa to resettle refugees after our board voted to start independently resettling refugees after 15 years of partnership with Lutheran Services in Iowa.
2011
Emergency Family Shelter
The expansion of the Emergency Family Shelter doubled the number of bedrooms and improved the quality of services Catholic Charities offered to families who are working to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency. The addition included five new bedrooms, renovation of the kitchen, expansion of the dining room, a playroom addition and handicap accessibility.
2013
Emergency Family Shelter
The Emergency Family Shelter playground was upgraded and funded by a grant from the Variety Club of Iowa.
2013
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program added five more counties to its service area, extending beyond the previous four on the western edge of the state.
2019
Social Justice
William M. Joensen was ordained and installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines and president and chairman of the Catholic Charities Board of Directors.
2020
Impact
Amidst a multi-year pandemic, Catholic Charities remained available to our clients, residents, and guests to provide care and compassion. During our 100 year legacy, we celebrate all we have served in their pursuit to thrive and become self-sufficient.
2023
Social Justice
Bishop Joensen championed the revival of a shared social justice role in partnership with the Diocese of Des Moines to emphasize the importance of Catholic Social Teaching within the mission and ministry of Catholic Charities’ programs. The vision and foresight of this initiative was critical as Catholic Charities experienced record numbers of individuals and families seeking assistance through our programs.
2024
Social Justice
Through its 100 year history, we recognize all of the staff, volunteers, donors, funders, and community partners who have assisted and sustained our ministry and programs. We are grateful for the many ways you have supported Catholic Charities, allowing us to serve more than 35,000 of our neighbors in need.
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A Mission Rooted in Justice
Catholic Charities embraces the principle of justice, not simply as fairness, but as restoring right relationships—within families, communities, and society as a whole. Justice requires us to challenge the realities of inequality while fostering an environment where everyone’s God-given dignity is respected. Every action we take is guided by the principle of promoting the common good, ensuring that our services create pathways to long-term healing and growth.
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Partners & Sponsors
Learn more about the organizations who help us fulfill our mission.