Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Columbus

10/02/2026

Having enough nourishing food gives families more than a meal. It supports daily routines, creates opportunities to gather around the table, and gives people more room to focus on the other parts of life that matter. Catholic teaching calls us to respond to physical hunger while also recognizing the human need for hope, dignity, and connection.
For families who need help putting food on the table, CSS family services include food support and other resources for greater stability.

Learn more at colscss.org.

09/30/2026

What a month. From celebrating 80 years of history to honoring Breakfast with the Bishop to hearing from the volunteers and neighbors who make this work possible, September reminded us why we do what we do. Thank you for walking with us.

See you in October. We've got more stories to share.

09/30/2026

If you know new parents who could use some help, please share this.

Parenting is a journey and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Through Little Blessings/Pequeñas Bendiciones, Catholic Social Services is offering free parenting classes for parents and caregivers of young children at our Newark, Oh location.

These welcoming classes provide practical tools, helpful resources, and encouragement to help families strengthen relationships, support healthy child development, and feel more confident through every stage of early childhood.

📅Wednesdays from September 16 - October 28 from 10:00a-11:30a
📍 1031 Brice Street, Newark, OH 43055
✅ Classes are free
To register or learn more: https://forms.gle/BBMZmmAW3cg5f2Jk7

Come learn, connect, and grow alongside other parents and caregivers. Every family deserves support and every little blessing deserves a strong start.

The following organizations will also be participating:
Pantry Network of Licking County
-Ohio Food Collective
County Health Department
County Job and Family Services
County Library
Du Mansion

09/29/2026

Congratulations to our Mercadito Raíces graduates!

We celebrated 28 Latino small business owners who completed our six-month entrepreneur program.

Throughout the program, participants attended workshops on budgeting and managing expenses, pricing products to attract customers and turn a profit, building a team, and preparing for events. We also brought in experts to teach key topics, including branding and marketing, insurance, food safety, bookkeeping, and building an online presence. Each business also received help getting a business license and meeting Ohio's registration requirements.

Latino-owned businesses are among the fastest-growing groups of businesses in the United States, and they are becoming an increasingly important part of Ohio's economy.

Why this matters for Ohio:

1. Latino entrepreneurs create jobs: Nearly 30,000 Ohioans already work for Latino-owned businesses that employ staff. When a small entrepreneur grows from working alone to hiring one, two, or five employees, the economic impact reaches well beyond a single household.

2. Small business growth keeps money in our communities: Locally owned businesses buy goods and services, rent commercial space, hire residents, and help keep neighborhood business districts active. That makes supporting entrepreneurs both a workforce development strategy and a community development
strategy.

3. Entrepreneurship opens a path to economic mobility: For families who face barriers to traditional jobs or advancement, owning a business offers another way to grow their income, build assets, and reach financial stability. That is why entrepreneurship matters so much to organizations working to reduce poverty and strengthen families.

Latino entrepreneurship is an economic opportunity for all of central Ohio. Nationally, the number of Latino-owned businesses grew 44% between 2018 and 2023. Here in Ohio, more than 30,000 Latino-owned businesses already contribute to our economy. That includes about 3,000 businesses with employees, which together provide nearly 30,000 jobs and $1.1 billion in annual payroll.

By giving aspiring entrepreneurs the knowledge, coaching, and connections they need to launch and grow, Mercadito Raíces does more than help individuals start businesses. It helps families build economic stability, creates jobs, and strengthens our community's economy.

¡Felicidades, graduados!

09/26/2026

The other night was about more than a Blue Jackets win! Cheering on Columbus together was an opportunity to strengthen friendships, build community, and enjoy the connections that make serving alongside one another so meaningful. Thank you to Bishop Earl K. Fernandes of the Diocese of Columbus, the Columbus Blue Jackets, Juliana Schacht Naporano and Kelley for a great evening together.

09/25/2026

Three ways to show up for your neighbors this month.

Swipe through: give your time, share your talent, or offer your support. However you choose to get involved, there is a place for you at Catholic Social Services.

09/22/2026

Looking back on a meaningful morning together!

On September 11, friends, partners, sponsors, and supporters came together for our annual Breakfast with the Bishop, marking its 35th year and celebrating 80 years of Catholic Social Services and the neighbors we have the privilege of serving.

In remarks from President and CEO Kelley Henderson, we reflected on what it means to respond to the needs of our time with faith, courage, and action. Catholic Social Services expects to serve around 16,000 people this year across 23 counties, helping seniors age in place with dignity, families navigate their futures together, and individuals with disabilities find new freedom in living. Through it all, one belief continues to guide our ministry: people are not problems to be solved. They are our neighbors first.

The morning also included the announcement of three major initiatives planned for 2027 to address hunger and loneliness across Ohio: the Caritas Center of Our Lady of Loreto in Whitehall, the Our Lady of Hope Center in Licking County, and St. Francis on Wheels serving communities throughout southern Ohio. Together, these efforts represent the next chapter in meeting our neighbors where they are and responding to the needs of communities throughout our region.

As Kelley shared that morning, “We never do this work alone.” For eighty years, neighbors serving neighbors has remained at the heart of Catholic Social Services.

Thank you to Bishop Fernandes, our sponsors, partners, friends, and everyone who joined us. Your generosity and commitment make this work possible, and we are grateful to continue this mission together.

Swipe through for a few of our favorite moments from the morning.

09/18/2026

09/18/2026

There is a quiet kind of faithfulness in showing up, year after year, for the people who need you most. That has been the story of Catholic Social Services since 1945. We are not the loudest voice in the room, but we are one of the most consistent.

Today, we are grateful for every neighbor, volunteer, and parish that has walked this road with us. Thank you for eight decades of trust.