The original homeless shelter at the Siena Francis House when it consolidated its campus at 17th and Nicolas streets in 1994. (Courtesy of Siena Francis House)
OMAHA — An Omaha homeless shelter has come a long way since its founding 50 years ago.
The Siena Francis House began in 1975 when a Catholic priest, the Rev. Jack McCaslin, cashed in his life insurance to purchase an old house near downtown Omaha that initially served five women and their children. Two years later, another home was purchased to serve homeless men…