War Relief Services-National Catholic Welfare Conference Records (CMS 026)
July 11, 2016
This collection contains the records of the War Relief Services, an agency of the National Catholic Welfare Conference, spanning the years 1944-1971. During World War II and its immediate aftermath, the War Relief Services and cooperating indigenous agencies brought relief and welfare services to war torn countries in Europe and Asia. In 1945, the War Relief Services joined with other Catholic social service agencies and ethnic organization to form the National Catholic Resettlement Council (NCRC). Its task was to augment the national plan for the resettlement of displaced persons in the United States which would be implemented by Diocesan Immigration Councils. In 1955, the War Relief Services changed its name to the Catholic Relief Services.
This material focuses on refugee assistance in the form of relief and resettlement in war-torn areas. Many materials, especially pamphlets and reports, originated from other organizations but were collected over the course of the organization’s activities. The pamphlets Guide to War Relief Services-National Catholic Welfare Conference Records, published by a number of institutions, includes topics ranging from immigration legislation, refugees, resettlement of displaced persons, and Americanization.