Inspiring Hope with Catholic Charities of Omaha

The Heart of Service: A Conversation with Fr. Ryan Lewis

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 story of how Catholic Charities shaped his own family through adoption, along with insights from more than 27 years of priesthood and service. Together, they discuss the many ways people are called to give—through time, prayer, and generosity—and how these acts of compassion not only support those in need, but also transform the hearts of those who serve. For more information on how to get involved visit https://ccomaha.org/volunteer/

The Story of 100 Years of Service: A Conversation with Terri Jewell

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, addiction recovery, volunteer devotion, and the quiet impact of simply answering the phone with compassion. You'll hear: • How Catholic Charities has evolved over 100 years • Full-circle adoption stories that still unfold today • The volunteers and leaders who shaped the mission • What gives hope for the next century "We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love." – St. Teresa of Calcutta Learn more about Catholic Charities of Omaha: https://www.ccomaha.org [https://www.ccomaha.org/]

The Gift of Adoption: A Story of Faith, Family, and Connection

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 Charities' Post Adoption Services, which preserve adoption records dating back to 1873. In this episode, you'll hear from Wendy Spetman, who leads Post Adoption Services at Catholic Charities, and Mary Pruss, who was adopted through Catholic Charities along with her husband and daughter. Mary shares the moving story of how she was reunited with her birth siblings, a connection made possible through Wendy's dedicated work. Together, Mary and Wendy reflect on the beauty of adoption, the power of family, and the mission of Catholic Charities and the Sisters of Mercy to uphold the inherent dignity of every individual. To learn more about Post Adoption Services, call 402-829-9255. #InspiringHopePodcast #CatholicCharitiesOmaha #NationalAdoptionMonth #AdoptionStories #SistersofMercy #Family #Hope #FaithInAction

Lifting the Silence: From Domestic Violence Survivor to Advocate

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 their children. Host Dave Vankat is joined by Payton, Catholic Charities Director of Domestic Violence Services. Payton courageously shares her story of abuse in her family and how this journey inspired her to dedicate her life to supporting other survivors as they find safety, hope, and healing. Listen now to hear Payton's powerful testimony and learn how we, as a community, can stand with survivors and help end the cycle of violence. Learn more or support our mission: https://ccomaha.org/domestic-violence-services/ [https://ccomaha.org/domestic-violence-services/] Subscribe to the Inspiring Hope Podcast for more stories of grace, resilience, and hope.

From Bread to Bridges - Creating Connections Through Faith and Food

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 Team Up Project brought together diverse communities of faith to address hunger in meaningful, collaborative ways. Denise and Abdul recap the Bread to Bridges event and describe the long-term impact their partnership can have in addressing food insecurity in Omaha. This conversation is a reminder that solving hunger requires dignity, respect, and collaboration—and that lasting change happens when we come together. Learn more or get involved: ccomaha.org [http://ccomaha.org/]