Catholic Charities of Chicago celebrates 100 years

CHICAGO (AP) - Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago has turned 100.

The largest Catholic Charities outpost in the country celebrated a century of service Monday. The organization says it helps nearly one million people in Cook and Lake Counties each year.

The agency began April 10, 1917 . Cardinal Mundelein (MUHN'-dih-lyne) called together a group of prominent businessmen to raise money for the church.

It was just days after America's entry into World War I. Women were left caring for families. And a burgeoning flu pandemic would orphan thousands.

The organization has expanded to 150 locations across the archdiocese.

Monsignor Michael Boland is president of Catholic Charities. He says someone turns to the group for help every 30 seconds.

Boland says Catholic Charities relies on 15,000 volunteers and 400 community partners today.

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This story has been corrected to show that the agency began April 10, 1917, not April 10, 2017.