Programs & Locations

The Community Services programs of Catholic Charities take place in 3 neighborhood areas of Omaha -- St. Martin de Porres Center and Christ Child North in north Omaha; Juan Diego Center, Immigration Legal Services, Microbusiness and Latina Resource Center in south Omaha; and Christ Child Main and Creative Learning Center in southeast Omaha. Juan Diego and Latina Resource Centers have bi-lingual staff available to help Spanish speakers find the resources they need. The services at all Community Services sites are designed to bring out the best in people -- the best in those who need help and the best in those who can provide help. Always, the focus is on giving the kind of assistance which empowers people to be able to help themselves.

• Food Assistance:
  The Catholic Charities neighborhood centers in north Omaha and south Omaha each have an emergency food pantry which provides families and individuals with food, including meat, canned and packaged food, and when available, fresh produce. Perishable food is available on a regular basis at Juan Diego Center. The pantries are supported through parish and group collections and individual donations.
  
  Call for pantry hours and criteria:
  St. Martin de Porres Center (402) 341-4004
  Juan Diego Center (402) 731-5413.
  
  
• SHARE Food Buying:
  SHARE is a low-cost food program which allows those who participate to buy food monthly at significantly lower cost while becoming active community volunteers. Sign-up sites are available the first week of each month at St. Martin de Porres Center and Juan Diego Center. There are no income guidelines for participating in this program.
  
  
• Family Enrichment/Christmas Assistance:
  Parents are helped to build their own personal plan for how they want to develop their family's growth; and then assisted to bring that plan to reality by the activities they undertake (commit to) over the course of several months. With successful action on their plan, they become eligible for entry into the Christmas Assistance program, which matches them with a sponsor who helps them make Christmas more special for their children by providing gifts and clothing. Call for more information -- St. Martin de Porres Center at (402) 341-4004 or Juan Diego Center at (402) 731-5413.
  
  
• Microbusiness Training and Development:
  This program is designed to assist persons who want to start their own small business. The Microbusiness Training and Development Project offers training in business skills, micro-loans and ongoing technical assistance. Classes are available in Spanish, and referrals are made for English training. Call for information -- Juan Diego Center at (402) 731-5413.
  
  
• Immigration Legal Assistance:
  Consultation, referral and translation assistance is provided for family immigration. Accredited immigration specialist staff help individuals process applications for legalization and provide referrals for appeals. Educational sessions in Spanish and English for immigrants or others wanting to know more about immigration issues are available by request. Call Juan Diego Center for information at (402) 731-5413.
  
  
• Community Forums:
  Each neighborhood center hosts a regular schedule of forums on issues of interest to community members. These forums link community residents with policy makers, public officials and others who affect their lives. The forums are open to the public and free of charge. For more information, call St. Martins de Porres Center at (402) 341-4004 or Juan Diego Center at (402) 731-5413.
  
  
• (Spanish or English) individual and family counseling:
  Bi-lingual counseling is available at Juan Diego Center. Call (402) 731-5413 for more information.
  
  
• Latina Resource Center:
  Latina Resource Center provides a culturally welcoming place where Latinas gather to develop personal and family skills, find resources they need and build a supportive community with other Latinas. Services include English language classes, health and family life education, domestic violence and sexual assault intervention and counseling, job preparation and support groups which develop leadership and community among members. The Center is a collaborative project of Catholic Charities and three other community agencies. Call (402) 898-6760 for more information.
  
  
• Christ Child Main:
  Christ Child Main, located at 1248 South 10th Street, provides both pre-school programming for 3-5 year olds and after school/summer day camps for children who are in grades Kindergarten through 6th grade. The building also has a swimming pool and gymnasium where people of all ages come to exercise. For more information, call (402) 342-4566.
  
  
• The Creative Learning Center:
  The Creative Learning Center, at 11th and Dorcas, is home to the day care program for children. The daycare has the capability to handle 29 children at a time between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. For more information, call (402) 341-1880.
  
  
• North Center:
  North Center, located at 21st and Emmet, also provides after school and summer camps for children K through 6th grade. The center also has a gymnasium where neighborhood children and the community can spend time doing recreational and fitness activities. For more information, call (402) 453-6363.