by Katie Patrick
Last week, John McDonald, our regional director in Hastings, and I attended a Catholic conference in Washington, D.C., that focused on domestic and international issues of poverty and human development. We also had the opportunity to visit our elected officials and advocate on several important issues affecting the families and communities we serve. It’s my honor to share with you those testimonies, and I hope that you will be as inspired as I am by their tenacity.
Siena represents many of the mothers we serve in our St. Gianna Program. Siena is a single mom of four children, ages 17, 15, 13, and 12. Her annual income is roughly $35,000. Siena was the recipient of the expanded 2021 Child Tax Credit last year. She received roughly $10,000, which you will notice is about one-third of her family’s income.
In May 2020, the father of her three youngest children died, leaving her solely responsible to raise the children. He had, however, been sick for several years prior and was unable to contribute financially to the family. Although he and Siena separated years ago, they maintained a good, coparenting relationship. It was unfortunately due to Siena’s recent marriage to a man in 2019 that she found herself in an abusive relationship. This is how Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska came to know Siena and her children.
Siena made the most of her stay at St. Gianna Women’s Homes in Lincoln. During her stay, she worked hard to maintain a steady job, looked for permanent housing, and participated in several classes and programs that we offered, including “Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World.” This curriculum invites participants to look critically at their life situations and identify areas where they can start making changes. It helps them recognize negative influences and gives them the courage to look for small ways they can start to improve their life situations:
“This class gave me the tools and resources I needed to get my priorities in order,” she said. “The class taught me how to budget in a way that I made sure to always have the essentials for my family, including a car, gas, insurance, food and rent.”
This April, Siena and her family will celebrate her daughter’s quinceañera. It is an incredibly special occasion for the family because her late father was Mexican. Siena knows how important it is to her daughter for her to celebrate her quinceañera. A portion of the Child Tax Credit will make this possible. Siena was also able to afford for her basic needs and save money that she could use in case of an emergency. Because she earns slightly more than what would otherwise qualify for housing and SNAP assistance, Siena and her children literally live paycheck to paycheck:
“The Child Tax Credit really helped my family and my situation. Being a single mom and trying to work and go to school full time is difficult. Having this Child Tax Credit assistance made a big difference in what I have been able to accomplish. In May, I will graduate with my associates in human services.”
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska recognizes the positive impact that an expanded Child Tax Credit can have on those we serve. Through our work, and what we were able to accomplish with the support of donors, like you, and the local community, supplemented by government assistance, Siena changed her family’s future forever. We are so proud of all that she has accomplished. Pray for Siena, pray for her children, and pray for others like her that they continue to persevere and never give up. Thank you and May God bless you!
