Southwest Kansas . . .

Catholic Social Service serves in a 28 county region in southwest Kansas (see the map below) with offices in three locations: Dodge City, Garden City and Great Bend.

It's an area where the very first seeds of Catholic service were sown in the 16th century by a missionary Franciscan friar, Father Juan De Padilla. Almost three hundred years later, strong and persevering immigrants began arriving in the area from the Santa Fe Trail---a major commercial route that ran through the area on its way from Independence, Missouri, to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Many of the immigrants found the climate and rich soil to be a perfect compliment for the wheat they had brought with them from their homeland.

Meanwhile, the Chisholm Cattle Trail also began running through the area from Texas up to Abilene, Kansas. From 1867 to 1872, thousands of cowboys drove more than three million head of cattle along the trail. Dodge City was the heart of this "Wild West."

Today, the heritage of southwest Kansas can still be seen in our mostly rural area from wheat fields to major meat packing industries, and from farm families to immigrant families. There is much hope, potential and vitality in the mix of old and new. In addition to extended families that can trace generations since their ancestors immigrated to southwest Kansas, more than half of the population in many parts of the area are Hispanic, Latino, African, and Asian, bringing a new mix of cultural and religious practices.

Throughout the United States for the past century, Catholic Charity Agencies have cared for the needs of the poor, regardless of faith or creed. Many of those who were served included immigrants, children, individuals who were disabled and/or sick, and aging men and women. Catholic Social Service is proud to continue this tradition of giving help and creating hope for stronger families and communities in the southwest Kansas area.

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