Inspiring Hope with Catholic Charities of Omaha

As Volunteer Appreciation Month comes to a close, we take time to reflect on the meaningful impact of serving others and the role each of us can play in bringing hope to our community. In this episode, host Dave Vankat sits down with Fr. Ryan Lewis—pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish and Catholic Charities board member—to explore the deeper meaning of volunteerism. Fr. Ryan shares a personal st...

As Catholic Charities of Omaha celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, we sit down with someone who has witnessed nearly half of that history firsthand.   In this special episode of Inspiring Hope, host Dave Vankat talks with Terri Jewell, Director of Administrative Services, who is celebrating 47 years of service to Catholic Charities. T   erri shares powerful stories of adoption journeys, addi...

November is National Adoption Month,  a time to honor the incredible stories of love, connection, and hope that adoption makes possible. Did you know Catholic Charities of Omaha got its start more than 100 years ago by helping operate the St. James Orphanage alongside the Sisters of Mercy? Thousands of children found loving homes through their care. Today, that legacy continues through Catholic Ch...

In this powerful episode of The Inspiring Hope Podcast, we shine a light on an issue that impacts far too many families in Douglas County — domestic violence. Each day, an average of 51 domestic violence–related 911 calls are made in our community. Catholic Charities operates Douglas County's only emergency domestic violence shelter, providing 4,725 nights of safety in 2024 alone to survivors and...

Food is more than nourishment—it's a basic right, a cultural expression, and a spiritual connector. Yet here in Nebraska, more than 300,000 people, including 92,000 children, experience food insecurity each year. In this episode, we sit down with Catholic Charities Executive Director Denise Bartels and Tri-Faith Initiative Operations Manager Abdul Mackie to explore how their partnership with the T...

In this episode of Inspiring Hope, host Dave is joined by Craig Zimmer, Community Engagement Coordinator at Catholic Charities, and longtime volunteer Sue Carlson to explore how volunteering does more than meet a need—it builds connection, transforms lives, and multiplies hope. You'll hear stories of purpose and personal impact, learn about the many ways to get involved, and discover how acts of s...

In this episode of  Inspiring Hope , host Dave sits down with Christine Ochoa, Pantry Coordinator at Catholic Charities of Omaha, for an inspiring look inside  The Market Choice Pantry . Discover how Catholic Charities is redefining food assistance—not as a handout, but as a human connection rooted in dignity, cultural respect, and community. Christine shares powerful stories from the front lines:...

In the second episode of the Inspiring Hope Podcast, co-host Dave welcomes Jenna Whitaker, Director of the Catholic Charities School Mental Health Program, and Deb Kelly, a board member and mental health advocate. They delve into the crucial topic of mental health support, particularly for young people, and how Catholic Charities is addressing these growing needs.  The conversation begins with Deb...

  Welcome to 'Inspiring Hope,' the podcast of Catholic Charities of Omaha, where we share stories of grace, resilience, and the profound impact of our mission. This podcast is about telling the real stories of those we serve, our staff, volunteers and donors who make this work     possible. You'll hear from people whose lives have been transformed—not just by the services we provide, but by the me...