Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada Celebrates 85 Years of Service

Nonprofit now serves 4,500 individuals daily, reflecting region's growing needs

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:04am

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph depicting blurred scenes of people receiving meals, accessing computers, and finding shelter, all in a warm, dreamlike palette of muted colors, conceptually representing the vital services provided by Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada.Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada's 85-year history reflects the organization's enduring commitment to supporting vulnerable communities through food, housing, and family services.Las Vegas Today

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is marking its 85th anniversary, having expanded from Northern Nevada to serve the Las Vegas area since the construction of the Hoover Dam. The organization now operates 16 programs and provides food, housing, and family support to around 4,500 people daily, addressing the region's ongoing challenges with homelessness and housing instability.

Why it matters

As Las Vegas has grown over the decades, Catholic Charities has evolved to meet the community's increasing needs for food security, housing assistance, and family support services. The organization's milestone anniversary highlights its resilience and commitment to serving vulnerable populations in Southern Nevada.

The details

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada traces its roots to Northern Nevada and later expanded into the Las Vegas area to help people after the building of the Hoover Dam. Today, the nonprofit operates 16 programs and serves about 4,500 individuals every day, driven by three core values: families, food, and housing. This includes running a 400-bed men's shelter, the St. Vincent Apartments, and providing Meals on Wheels for seniors.

  • Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is marking its 85th anniversary on April 16, 2026.
  • The organization's early roots date back to Northern Nevada, with an expansion into Southern Nevada following the construction of the Hoover Dam.

The players

Sara Ramirez

President and CEO of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada.

Nicole Anderson

Vice President of Social Services at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada.

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What they’re saying

“No one promised us an easy life. If you have a solid family base around or support system around you, you're more likely to overcome the crisis and not only overcome but overcome it quickly back to a state of normalcy.”

— Sara Ramirez, President and CEO

“To go out in the community at 4, 5 in the morning, and intentionally look for people and see the areas they're sleeping in; to see a young woman, under a blanket in a corner because that's the only place she can stay warm, it's heartbreaking.”

— Nicole Anderson, Vice President of Social Services

“He had shared, Sara, my life is hard but for one hour every day, I can come to the dining hall, find a meal and find peace.”

— Sara Ramirez, President and CEO

What’s next

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada plans to continue expanding its programs and services to meet the growing needs of the Las Vegas community, particularly in the areas of homelessness, food insecurity, and family support.

The takeaway

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada's 85-year milestone demonstrates the organization's resilience and commitment to serving vulnerable populations in the region. As Las Vegas has grown, the nonprofit has evolved to provide essential food, housing, and family support services to thousands of individuals daily, highlighting the vital role it plays in the community.