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."