 The roots of Catholic Charities New York can be traced to the Catholic Benevolent League, the first major Catholic charitable endeavor in New York, which cared for children abandoned by the War of 1812 and the Civil War.Their orphanage on Prince Street, the predecessor of the New York Foundling Hospital, began operating in 1869, the oldest agency of the Catholic Charities New York federation.During this time, the organization became a provider of emergency meals, financial assistance and expanded programs for the elderly.