By Fr. Justin Fulton
Politics is downstream from the culture.
Politics is downstream from the culture.
Think about it. Our politics are nothing more than a reflection of our moral compass as a country. One can spend their entire political career trying to get a law passed. Then a few years later that law can get undone when another official is elected.
If we really want to change this world permanently for the better... we must allow ourselves to be changed by the author of all that is Good, Beautiful, True, and Unitive: God. Our culture must be formed by an authentic, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
So, here is how Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska has let our relationship with Jesus lift up lives and improve our culture over the last year:
o $1.8 million in overall cash and in-kind assistance yearly. This can go from help in paying rent, providing shelter, providing money for food, electricity, water, a bus ticket, car repairs, medical bills, and anything else that life throws one’s way
o 327 tons of food given to the hungry of southern Nebraska
o 51,397 sack lunches provided to the hungry of Hastings (42,814) and Lincoln (8,583) areas. 920 breakfasts (and counting) given to the hungry of Lincoln during the pandemic. 500 (and counting) Sunday night pasta dinners given to the hungry of Lincoln during the pandemic.
o 981 meals for families for weekend sustenance through our Food Market Program
o 120 families given a full Thanksgiving dinner and 105 families given a full Christmas dinner through our holiday food basket programs
o 31 automobiles given statewide to people with no form of transportation at a value of $64,627
o $32,411 in counseling service charity grants given by our Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center
o 17,280 nights of lodging and safety provided for abused women & their children through St. Gianna Women’s Homes. 59 families served through this program
o 7 babies were born into St. Gianna Women’s Homes this past year and provided shelter and protection
o 345 families, 1195 kids given toys through our Christmas outreach services
o 20 families adopted and provided a Christmas through our Lincoln Adopt-a-Family program
o 48 individuals who successfully passed their U.S. Citizenship Interviews represented by our Director of Immigration
o 66 individuals who found permanent full and part-time work through our CSS Employment Specialist. $88,000 of taxes added to the State of Nebraska’s coffers because of this
o 469 volunteers from all walks of life providing 20,290 volunteer hours across southern Nebraska that translates to $280,000 in service
o 142 new individuals helped during the pandemic in our Immigration Services Department
o 62 refugees fleeing from war-torn parts of the world resettled and given a new start on life through our refugee placement services
o 5,268 sessions and 501 unique individuals served through the Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center
o Thousands of customers served by our marked-down Thrift Stores throughout the state
o 75,000 diapers collected for babies throughout southern Nebraska
o 441,000 pounds of recycled clothing at a value of $57,988 that goes directly to help the poor
o 10s of thousands of smiles shared by employees and volunteers to clients who often feel a smile of encounter
o $5.1 Million operating budget this past year—$14,000/day in services and salary to provide our outreach to all southern Nebraska
o Three persons in One God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who we do this for....
Thank you for joining us to bring Hope in the Good Life! God bless and keep you always.
