This is day six of our month long End-of-Year Appeal for Catholic Social Service. Most often, our appeal takes the form of some kind of request for monetary donations such as money, donated items, or online shopping that benefits a good cause. Sometimes, however, the best kind of support has nothing to do with money. Take, for instance, our burgeoning social media communities!

For the past two years, Catholic Social Service has taken its first steps into the world of social media. It's a boon for us because it is a free way to connect with our supporters, and the people we serve. One of my favorite things about social media, however, is that it holds so much potential for building community throughout southwest Kansas in way that we haven't been able to do before!

Catholic Social Service WITHOUT Social Media

Usually, the sense of community is a strong defining characteristic of small rural towns. On the other hand, there is also a sense of isolation because of the extra distance and space between rural towns. According to the 2010 Kansas Kids Count data, all 28 southwest Kansas counties served by Catholic Social Service are in the “Rural Peer Group” consisting of “Densely-Settled Rural, Rural, and Frontier.  Of the 28 counties served by Catholic Social Service, 4 of the counties are  Densely-Settled Rural, 8 counties are Rural, and 16 counties are Frontier. Such isolation makes it difficult for many of our clients who are living in poverty to get to us; it's a contributing factor not only for poverty, but also for alcoholism and domestic abuse; and it leaves some of the people we serve to feel like they are all alone.

One of the ways we address the matter is by going to the people we serve, rather than expecting them to drive an hour or more to get to one of our offices. Amy and Hattie work out of our Dodge City Office but they travel throughout the 28 counties to meet with clients for pregnancy counseling and alcohol and addiction counseling, respectively. Angela and Pattie work out of the Great Bend office, but they travel extensively to meet with prospective parents and professionals about the option of adoption. Brooke and Rhonda work out of the Garden City office, but the geographical range where they go to teach classes on marriage, healthy relationships and parenting, continues to expand.

Catholic Social Service WITH Social Media

Last month was National Adoption Awareness Month and we pondered for days about how we could really celebrate and raise awareness about Adoption. Since we function as one office, we wanted to kick off the celebration at all three offices. But how could we do it? How were we going to bring enough people together since we were so spread out?

We decided to host a virtual event to blow both real and "virtual" bubbles for babies. It was a great hit! In addition to inviting people to our offices one day for an Adoption Awareness Open House, we invited people to join in on Facebook and Twitter, and to share their own stories and experiences about adoption. Even though we celebrated at all three of our respective offices, the social media event tied us together as one community with a shared interest and passion for adoption that we were then able to share with others. Everyone's participation, both online and at our offices, was a non-monetary form of support that really mattered!

Where in the [Online] World is Catholic Social Service?

So where can you find us and how can you support us in the online world? Just click on any of the icons above and you'll be taken directly to our Catholic Social Service Page on that particular social media platform. It doesn't matter whether you "like," "follow," "circle," "read," "watch," or "check-in," we really do value and welcome your support online! Ask questions, join in the conversation, share your favorite stories, experiences, or quotes, and together, we can accomplish the important work of helping those in need throughout southwest Kansas! As Margaret Meade once said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Want to own a home, start a business, make home repairs, or get additional funds for continuing your education?

Join us at 1:30 PM or 5:30 PM on Tuesday December 13th at the Catholic Social Services office, 2201 16th Street for an informational meeting on how the CREATING ASSETS, $AVINGS AND HOPE (CA$H) Program can help you with the CASH you need to build a better future.

Income qualifying households receive $2 for every $1 they save toward the purchase of a first home, repairs on an existing home, college or vocational school tuition, or for the capitalization of a small business.

The CASH program is an Interfaith Housing Services program. Interfaith Housing offers valuable information on how to save money and reach your goals. Please join us Tuesday or call and learn how you can gain financial security through asset building 1-877-447-5927.

By now, our End-of-Year Appeal, and our story about Haley has started to reach mailboxes. And in just five days, our iGive.com campaign has reached $195; I hope we can break $1000 before the end of the campaign on January 9th.

In our Appeal, we ask you for a generous donation to support our programs year around. In our iGive Campaign, we ask for just a few minutes of your time to help us secure $10 at no cost to you. Today, I want to let you know about how a couple of our programs benefit our Christmas Wish List . . . like the Teen Moms program that helped Haley and her mom. While the need is not optional, our wish list is another option for you.

Wishing for Teen Moms

First, our Teen Moms program in Dodge City helps young mothers between the ages of 13 and 23 who have chosen to raise their own child. Our goal in this program is to help young mothers to beat the odds by giving them the support and incentives they need to become self-sufficient and nurturing parents. Working with the program director and volunteer mentors, participants agree to attend school or work full time, maintain at least a "C" in all classes, delay subsequent pregnancies, attend weekly Discovery Workshops, and meet one-on-one to set and evaluate goals each semester.

As participants  do these things, they have opportunities each week to earn "Teen Mom Bucks" that they can spend in the Teen Mom Store to purchase diapers, clothes, wipes, bathing items, books, movies and more. Participants can also earn $25, $50, $75 or $100 depending on the percentage of their goals that they accomplished during the season. These are just a couple of the ways that we encourage and support young mothers to become strong, self-sufficient and nurturing parents for their children.

Wishing for our Non-Food Pantry

Another program that benefits from our Christmas Wish List is our non-food pantry. AmeriCorps members started the non-food pantry in Great Bend last year to provide some of the essential items that individuals and families need (not want), but that cannot necessarily be secured at the local food pantry. For example, when a family is behind on rent and utilities--sometimes by two or three months--we look for ways to direct as much of their income towards those major expenses as possible. For food, we can direct them to the local food pantry, and other low-cost food options. Meanwhile, we count on donations of deodorant, laundry soap, toilet paper and other essential items for maintaining a home and job, while we help them recover from unanticipated emergencies, and/or learn better financial practices.

Our Year-'Round Christmas Wish List

In order to support our Non-Food Pantry and the Teen Moms Store, we have a year-'round Christmas Wish List for items like diapers, wipes, toilet paper, laundry detergent, dish soap, trash bags, tooth brushes and tooth paste, shampoo, etc. Basically, we need items that are essential for raising an infant, or for maintaining a home and/or employment. When in doubt, the word "essential" is a good guideline.

To make it easy, we have set up our on-going Christmas Wish List with Amazon so that all you have to do is select and pay for items you wish to donate, and they will be automatically delivered to our office. You don't have to do anything else. We will send you an acknowledgement by mail. Of course, you can also purchase things directly at your local grocery store and bring them to any of the three offices listed at the bottom of this page.

As always, If you have any questions about iGive, our Wish List, or our End-of-Year Appeal, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by phone at 620-792-1393. In addition to our year-'round Christmas Wish List, all of us at Catholic Social Service wish you and your entire family  the peace of Christ during this Advent and Christmas season, and year-'round!

Yesterday, I posted the first article of the month to kick off our End-of-Year Appeal. It is an important month for us: even though we rejoice in the grants we have recently received, others have been significantly reduced or discontinued. We have less to work with, and more people coming through our doors in need of help.

Throughout the month, I'll be posting articles and stories about the needs of individuals, couples, and families we serve, and invitations for you to join our efforts to provide help and hope for those in need.

The first invitation I want to extend is exciting to me because, for just a few minutes of your time, it's really easy for you to give us $10!

It's called iGive, and here's how it works:

(Editor's note: Catholic Social Service staff members, Brooke Hamlin-Lopez and Rhonda Goodloe, have been working with the Seeds of Hope SCRIMP program to provide relationship skills classes and Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) for residents and former-residents of Finney County Jail. The following article from SCRIMP Program Manager, Becky Upshaw, appears in the Fall 2011 Seeds of Hope Newsletter. Please take a minute to read the newsletter which provides some wonderful success stories, and some additional information about the SCRIMP program).

I sincerely hope that being part of the planning and implementation of the SCRIMP Program has been as positive an experience for Mentor Coordinator Brooke Hamlin-Lopez and MRT Facilitator Rhonda Goodloe as it has been for me. However, I’m concerned about how recent changes at the U.S. Department of Justice may negatively impact the success of the program.

In late October I received notification that we would no longer be allowed to use grant funds to provide meals or refreshments at SCRIMP functions. My first thought was that some of our clients wouldn’t show up without the incentive of a free meal. This has proven to be true. In the two weeks since this change went into effect, attendance at MRT class has decreased from an average of nine participants weekly during the fourth quarter to an average of just three participants weekly in November. I know that some of our clients are truly hungry when they arrive for MRT class. I’m also concerned that the atmosphere in our groups has changed from that of a friendly opportunity to learn from SCRIMIP staff and mentors to a more formal classroom experience.

Likewise, only six members attended our November Advisory Board meeting compared to 25 attendees at the April meeting where lunch was provided. This may be as damaging to the success of our program as the decrease in client participation, since community communication and collaboration are crucial to provide for the needs of those reintegrating into our community from jail or prison.

My previous experience working as a prevention consultant to community coalitions throughout southwest Kansas taught me that food is a crucial factor in getting folks to show up for meetings. I’m concerned and saddened that this change may negatively impact our clients and the success we enjoyed during our first year.

Becky Upshaw, SCRIMP Program Manager

Susan Craig from the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services came to the Great Bend office recently to visit with us about the Kansas Food Assistance Program, and a few of the recent changes in the application and approval process. She also shared the most recent statistics (below) about the number and percentage of people who are receiving food assistance in southwest Kansas in SFY2011.

A couple of observations: first, in times of trouble, those who receive food assistance help to bring federal dollars back into southwestern Kansas, and that is a good thing for all of us! Second, it is estimated that many people who are eligible for food assistance are not receiving it. If you know someone who is experiencing economic stress, call us, or direct them to call us at one of the numbers below.

Join the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty in Wichita on Saturday, November 5th for a rally, featured speakers and training workshops so that you can be prepared to help make the Kansas death penalty history in 2012!

The Rally for Repeal is a great opportunity to talk with other advocates from across the state and get up to speed on the death penalty before the 2012 Kansas Legislative Session starts in January!

There is still time to RSVP!  Call or email KCADP at 785-235-2237 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . RSVPs are not required, but are helpful for preparation.  There is no cost to attend and friends and family are welcome to join us.

Parking is available at the Metroplex.  When you enter the parking lot from the 29th street entrance, the closest parking will be to the East of the building.  You should enter through Door D.  There will also be signs on the doors to help guide you.  If you need help with directions, please call the Metroplex at 316-978-3258.

Carpools from KC and Topeka are available.

To RSVP, or for more information, please contact KCADP at 785-235-2237 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Saturday, November 5th

1:00-4:00pm

Wichita State University Metroplex

5015 E. 29th Street North, Wichita

An invitation from Fr. Larry Snyder, President/CEO of Catholic Charities USA

I am taking the challenge: to live for one week [Oct 30 to Nov5] on the average food stamp allotment: $31.50 per week. I invite you . . . to join me along with members of Fighting Poverty with Faith, an interfaith coalition of which Catholic Charities USA is a part, in solidarity with our hungry brothers and sisters.

In the past year, the number of our fellow citizens living in poverty rose in almost every U.S. state. SNAP, a program that reduces food insecurity by providing low-income Americans assistance in purchasing food, prevented an estimated 3.9 million people from joining the ranks of the impoverished. As Congress makes plans to reduce the deficit, we have a moral responsibility to not only call for the protection of SNAP, but to develop a more permanent and financially sustainable solution to lift people out of poverty. In working towards this end, we must remember that statistics represent children, parents, and families; they represent people who deserve our most earnest efforts to eliminate hunger in America.

We hope that in taking this challenge we will gain a better understanding of the program, raise awareness about its value, and most importantly, be renewed in our commitment to advocate, on behalf of the least among us, to transform the social safety net into a ladder.

We hope that you will pass this on to your networks, and we appreciate your support in joining us in this important effort.  Contact the Fighting Poverty with Faith coalition to register.

Fr. Larry Snyder

Many people dread filing their taxes. But for many families, filing a tax return enables them to claim valuable tax credits. Unfortunately, if they don't have the information they need, millions of eligible families could miss out on potentially thousands of dollars.

Let's make this tax season different! We need your help to spread the word. The National Women’s Law Center is offering two free online trainings to give families the information and tools they need. Register today at http://action.nwlc.org/taxcreditstraining. Both webinars are free, but registration is required!

Part I – Tax Credits: What Working Families Need to Know
Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern (1 hour)

Get the facts about how federal and state tax credits can give working families a leg up, and get access to resources that will put that information in the hands of families in your community.

Part II – Tax Credits Outreach: Tips and Tools for Service Providers and Advocates
Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern (1 hour)

You can make a big difference for families by making sure families get the information they need.  Learn about simple outreach activities that can make a major impact for working families. This webinar will help you get free outreach materials, connect with local coalitions, find free tax preparation services in your community, and learn some successful techniques for spreading the word about tax credits.

For more information and to register for the trainings, go to: http://action.nwlc.org/taxcreditstraining.

How scary is that!...the myths of open adoption revealed

This post is to test your knowledge on adoption.  Feel free to print this and quiz your family, friends, and co-workers.  This is a fun way to see how much you and they know.  Can you find the myths?

True or False

1. Adoptive parents in open adoption often feel out of control and lack a sense of attachment and relationship with their child.
2. Adoptive parents and birth parents in open adoptions are constantly confused about their parental rights. It's difficult to tell where one parent stops and the other begins.
3. Children in open adoptions are completely confused about who their parents really are. They do not understand the roles of their birth and adoptive parents.
4. The adolescent's adoptive identity and degree of preoccupation with adoption are related to the level of openness in the adoption. The more open the adoption, the greater the lack of identity for the adopted teen.
5. Birth mothers in open adoptions struggle with grief resolution. Spending time with their placed child is painful and recalls the past grief. Open adoptions delay healing.

Answers:

1. False. Adoptive parents in open adoption often feel that they have control and a GREATER sense of permanence in their relationship with their child.
2. False. Adoptive parents and birth parents within open adoptions are usually fully aware of their responsibilities and rights. This is a relationship that is constantly evolving and needs lots of open communication to flourish.
3. False. Children in open adoptions understand the parental roles of their birth and adoptive families. This is easier for the children when the adults in their lives are open and honest with them.  It helps dispel the “what ifs.”
4. False. Research shows that an adopted teen's sense of identity and how preoccupied he is with adoption is not related to the level of openness in his adoption.
5. False. Birth mothers in open and ongoing mediated adoptions do NOT have more problems with grief resolution. In fact, research shows that they did better with grief resolution than those birth mothers in closed adoptions. However, research also shows that an abrupt stop in contact did cause birth mothers more difficulty in grief resolution.

These questions and answers were provided by: http://adoption.about.com/od/typesofadoption/a/mythsopenadopt.htm

Keep checking back because I will have more quizzes and information on this topic!