By Katie Patrick
Two weeks ago, I shared the story of a young woman who was living in an unsafe situation. Her mom reached out to me on Christmas Eve begging for local resources that could help her daughter. The parents lived in another state, and with a little more information, I gathered that the daughter was a drug user and the parents forbade drug use in the home.
While there may have been other reasons that the daughter chose to live in a city a thousand miles away, the reality of her being so far from her family—her natural safety net—caused deep physical and emotional distress. In other words, due to distance and previously severed relationships, the crisis displaced the family as the primary responder. When this happens, neighbors and the local community become the next line of support—followed by organizations.
UPDATE: St. Francis Gift & Thrift (Auburn) will have adjusted hours for Thursday, April 9th OPEN 8:30-12:30 (CLOSED 2:00-6:00).
This Easter season, the Lincoln Catholic community is focusing on something simple, but powerful. The community is leaning into the message of hope.
Members of the CSS team and other nonprofit agencies share insights regarding shifts in Nebraska's refugee resettlement landscape.
By Katie Patrick
Neighbors helping neighbors.
Over the past few weeks, this phrase has been heard frequently alongside victims and state leaders alike, as they talked about the largest wildfire in our state’s history. More than 800,000 acres burned in the Nebraska wildfires, affecting fields and displacing cattle at all stages of operations— disrupting herd management, altering breeding and nutritional patterns, rotational grazing and much more.
Yet, it seems that at every stage, help came from neighbors—whether those in close proximity to the fires, whose land was spared, or those in neighboring states who stepped up to help. This is what Nebraska is all about—resilience and compassion.
Catholic Social Services and
Southern Nebraska Register
Around 400 supporters gathered March 14 at the Embassy Suites Lincoln for the annual Celebration of Hope Gala & Silent Auction hosted by Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS), an evening centered on the message that no one is beyond God’s mercy and no one walks alone.
The event, themed “You Are Not Alone,” highlighted stories of faith, redemption, and the Church’s call to accompany those on the margins.
Featured speaker Johnny Ray shared a powerful testimony of hope that began in the darkest moment of his life.
By Katie Patrick
My daughters and I were four dozen deep in our cookie-making tradition when my work phone rang on Christmas Eve. I often don’t answer outside of working hours, but something told me that I needed to answer that call.
When I did, a woman was on the other line crying. I asked her what happened and if there was anything I could do to help. She explained to me that she was calling on behalf of her daughter, who was living with an ex-boyfriend and his family. The environment was toxic, abusive, and escalating—and she had nowhere to go.
HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - Catholic Social Services has relocated to a new building in Hastings, aiming to create a more welcoming environment for residents seeking family support services.
In the latest 180 with Katie—a quick, three-minute update—CSS Executive Director Katie Patrick and Development Officer John Soukup share how your support is making a real difference in both immediate needs and lasting transformation. From a powerful story of faith and generosity at “Mercy Station” in Lincoln to record numbers of families served with basic necessities—and lives being changed through the prison and reentry apostolate—February was filled with impact made possible by you. You’ll also hear how growing donor support and expanding sustainability efforts are helping strengthen our mission of providing more Hope in the Good Life for the future.
Read the latest uplifting HOPE IN THE GOOD LIFE updates!
