Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines is excited to celebrate a century of providing care and compassion to the people in central and southwest Iowa. Catholic Charities was founded in 1924 with the establishment of the Christ Child Home to care for and house infants and children and place them for adoption. Since then, new programs have been established to help meet the growing and changing needs of our community. With a mission to Empower Individuals and Strengthen Families, today we serve the community through five vital program areas including counseling services, domestic violence and sexual assault programming, an emergency family shelter, a food pantry and refugee services. 

Throughout the last century, Catholic Charities has been led by many notable leaders who have shaped the organization into what it is today, including retiring Catholic Charities Executive Director, Barbara Q. Decker, who has led the organization diligently since 2018. Her faithful leadership and dedication to the mission and ministry of Catholic Charities have allowed for needed growth and expansion of services. 

We thank all our past leaders:

• The Rt. Rev. Msgr. M. B. Schiltz
• Rev. Peter J. O’Leary
• Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis P. Larkin
• Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis T. Zuch
• Fr. Paul Hans
• Rt. Rev. Msgr. Paul J. Connelly
• Charles Roth
• Lawrence Breheny
• Nancy Seymour
• Nancy Galeazzi
• Shelly Starbuck (interim)
• Barbara Q. Decker

Dear Friends:

This month, we officially celebrate our 100-year anniversary of Catholic Charities. We are grateful for the ongoing support from our donors, board members, staff, volunteers and the community who help to fuel our mission to Empower Individuals and Strengthen Families. Your support of our ministry has sustained us throughout the years in celebration of this month’s centennial. 

As our neighbors' needs are constantly changing, we are ready to meet them where they are and serve them with care and compassion.   I am continuously in awe of the dedication and passion of our staff to serve all who come to us in need of assistance. As we look forward to the next 100 years, I am confident Catholic Charities will continue to fulfill Christ’s Promise of Help and Hope for our neighbors in need.

We cannot do it alone. Please know we still need your helping hearts and hands in support of Catholic Charities and all we serve in God’s name. It has been a great pleasure and privilege to lead this wonderful organization. Catholic Charities will forever hold a special place in my heart. q

With Blessings, 

Barbara Q. Decker

Catholic Charities Executive Director

1924

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

In May, the Christ Child Home officially opened to house infants and place them for adoption.

1945

Catholic Charities of Council Bluffs was organized to serve the western part of the Diocese of Des Moines.

1945

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

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.

1970

Charles Roth became the first lay director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Des Moines.

1975

Under the direction of Bishop Dingman, Larry Breheny initiated diocesan efforts to resettle refugees arriving in the United States from Southeast Asia.

1980

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, and was expanded to include male victims of domestic violence.

1988

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

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.

1993

Catholic Charities' headquarter offices were moved to 601 Grand Ave, formerly Home Federal Savings & Loan, which Edward and Elanor Ochylski generously donated.

1995

Catholic Charities' Volunteer Ministries Program, under the direction of volunteer coordinator Mary Rose Stone, is launched "to invest the giftedness of individuals and groups into purposeful service which enhances and/or expands existing service functions of Catholic Charities."

2001

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.

2009

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

Catholic Charities becomes the only agency in Iowa to resettle refugees after our board votes to start independently resettling refugees after 15 years of partnership with Lutheran Services in Iowa.

2011

The expansion of the Emergency Family Shelter doubled the number of bedrooms and improved the quality of services Catholic Charities offers 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

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

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

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

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

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.

Donor and community support enable us to provide a high-quality level of care and service to all in need. By donating to support Catholic Charities' programs and services, you can help the organization grow and expand into the future. Your gift has a real impact on those we serve.

Keep up-to-date on what is going on at Catholic Charities by following us on social media at @CCDesMoines.