Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas turns 70 in October, and Olathe played a key role in shaping the nonprofit's housing work.

In 1988, the city of Olathe provided Catholic Charities with its first transitional housing duplex for families at risk of homelessness, according to the agency's anniversary account. That early investment seeded a local presence that persists through three programs serving some of the area's most vulnerable residents.

Founded Oct. 23, 1956, as Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the organization started with a focus on adoption. It has since grown to serve 21 counties through more than 25 programs. The agency reported serving 72,261 individuals and nearly 26,000 households, according to figures on its Snow Ball gala page, which is described as figures from the past year, without identifying a calendar or fiscal year.

The Olathe connection runs deep.

Olathe Haven provides transitional housing for families facing homelessness in Johnson County. Families receive a private unit, weekly case management and home visits during a 90-day stay. The program also offers budget coaching, job training enrollment and connections to medical and mental health care. The goal: at least one adult secures employment or enrolls in education before the family leaves.

Our Lady's Sanctuary of Grace, based in Olathe, serves single pregnant women 18 and older who are experiencing homelessness. Residents receive housing, pregnancy and parenting support, workforce training and aftercare once they move out.

The Shalom House Men's Transitional Living Program rounds out the agency’s housing programs. Program Director Tenesha Williams said in a 2023 agency profile that the program provides daily on-site support including guidance counseling, mentorship and employment assistance. Four residents had already achieved stable housing and financial stability at the time of that profile.

Across the broader organization, Lauren Solidum, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, highlighted food distribution as a critical focus. "Since the opening of our food warehouse in 2014, Hope Distribution Center, we have strengthened our capacity to accept and store large-scale donations," Solidum said in the anniversary account.

The agency reported distributing nearly $16 million worth of food through its assistance programs. It also provided nearly $1 million in direct financial assistance to help families facing homelessness cover unpaid rent and utilities. Neither figure included a specific reporting year.

The St. Rita job skills training program, which began in 2015 as a pilot with five participants, serves hundreds, the agency said in its anniversary account. TurnStyles Thrift, a social enterprise launched in 2004, has grown to four stores and generated more than $23 million for Catholic Charities.

The agency's signature fundraiser, the Snow Ball gala, has raised nearly $70 million since it started as a potluck among friends in 1974. Brian and Lynn Dunn and David and Christy Staker are serving as gala presidents for the next event.

Upcoming: The 53rd annual Snow Ball gala is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027, at the Overland Park Convention Center. The black-tie event features a cocktail reception, sit-down dinner and live music. Call 913-433-2084 for details.