By Poe Dee
Director of Refugee and Immigrant Services,
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
When the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) concluded its refugee partnership with the federal government in April 2025, affiliates across the nation—including Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS)—were left with significant uncertainty.
The USCCB had partnered with the federal government on resettlement for more than 45 years, building a dedicated team and robust infrastructure. The USCCB had played a key role in helping its affiliates nationwide succeed in resettlement. Losing that partnership created significant uncertainty about how we would continue refugee resettlement work in the future. We wondered who would be the key point of contact to network with the federal government on our resettlement work. We had many unanswered questions and concerns. However, guided by our tagline, “Hope in the Good Life,” we did just that, and remained hopeful.
In March 2026, CSS Executive Director Katie Patrick attended a disaster relief training hosted by Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA). There, she learned about the valuable professional resources and networking opportunities that CCUSA offers its member agencies. Shortly thereafter, CSS received board approval and once again became a member of CCUSA. At the time, we did not know that CCUSA would become the new Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR) for Catholic organizations nationwide.
In early September 2026, CCUSA invited us to partner with them for the FY 2027 PIR program. We submitted our proposal and were recently notified that we were selected to begin resettling new refugee arrivals starting in January 2027. We are thrilled to welcome new refugees to our community.
Refugees are the most vetted group of individuals before entering the United States. They undergo extensive background checks, medical screenings, and interviews with multiple federal agencies. In my experience working with refugee populations, these individuals are eager to work and start a new life. Within a few years of arrival, they successfully establish themselves by working, paying taxes, buying homes, starting businesses, and contributing meaningfully to their communities.
I want to share an inspiring story about one of the families we have had the privilege to support: Ku Htee Paw and her family.
Ku Htee Paw was born in Myanmar (Burma) and fled the oppressive military regime to a refugee camp in Thailand, where she lived for 18 years. While in the camp, formal work and higher education were not available, but she gained valuable basic cooking skills through NGO training programs. In 2015, CSS welcomed Ku Htee Paw and her child to Lincoln, Nebraska, reuniting her with her husband, who had been resettled earlier by another local agency. Arriving with nothing, the family had to build their lives completely from scratch.
A few months after arriving, Ku Htee Paw put her cooking skills to work at a local Thai restaurant. Over the years, both she and her husband worked tirelessly—she at various meat plants and Walmart, and her husband at manufacturing plants and meat packing facilities including TMCO, Tyson, JBS, and Smithfield.
Through hard work and perseverance, they achieved major milestones toward their American Dream. In 2022, they purchased their first home. Then, in 2026, they successfully opened their own restaurant, which they now run together while raising their three children.
Ku Htee Paw’s journey is a powerful reminder of resilience. While every refugee’s journey is unique, her story reflects the shared hope of so many who arrive here determined to rebuild their lives and succeed.
With this new resettlement project, I look forward to sharing many more success stories with you.
