In January 2025, the U.S. government terminated contracts and federal grants with resettlement agencies. Subsequently, in April 2025, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) chose not to renew its federal resettlement contract. As an affiliate of the USCCB, Catholic Social Services (CSS) received formal notification to wind down our program operations.
Despite these federal changes, CSS remains committed to our mission. Over the past five years, we have proudly welcomed and served over 900 individuals, including refugees, humanitarian parolees, and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders from around the world. While we have completed all required services under the previous federal program, we recognize that our clients and the community still require significant support—especially as recent legislative changes have restricted SNAP eligibility for many new arrivals.
We are pleased to announce that CSS will not be closing its refugee program. Thanks to the generosity of our private donors, we have established an emergency fund to assist the clients we have resettled. These funds will provide critical support, such as rental assistance and gift cards, to help families fill financial gaps as they work to build their lives in our community. This emergency fund is vital to many families, and its direct and lasting impact is shown in this beautiful thank you note we recently received:
I’ve been trying to find the right words, but honestly, I don’t think words are enough for what I feel in my heart. Thank you so much to you and to the Catholic organization for everything you’ve done for me and my daughters. You came into my life during one of the hardest and darkest times I’ve ever lived through. I was broken, scared, and truly afraid that me and my girls would end up homeless. And then you all came like angels and changed our lives. You gave me hope when I felt hopeless, safety when I felt lost, and kindness when I needed it the most. I will never forget what you did for us for the rest of my life. No matter how much I thank you, it will always feel too little compared to what you gave me. You didn’t just help us with housing — you helped save me emotionally and gave my daughters stability and peace. I also want you to know that I love you so much, Katie [Batenhorst], and I love the Catholic organization so much too. You will always have a special place in my heart because of the kindness and love you showed us when we needed it the most. May God bless you, Katie, and bless everyone in the organization. I pray that God gives you happiness, health, and makes every beautiful thing you wish for come true, because people like you are truly rare in this world.
This testimonial of thanks is from one of our refugee clients who came to Lincoln in 2023. After arriving in Lincoln, she and her husband separated due to an unhealthy relationship. The wife is staying with three children. She received a notice from her landlord requiring her to move out. She and her family lost the SNAP benefits due to an eligibility change regarding her refugee status. At the time of this change, she did not have a job. However, she is very willing to work and is actively looking for a job. When we learned of her situation, we provided assistance using emergency funding to help her secure a new apartment.
Although federal funding has ended, our commitment has not; so when members of our community have a need, we should work to meet it. Together with our donors, volunteers, and community partners, we can continue providing hope to those who need it most. We can do so little alone, but together we can do so much more.
