Society of St. Vincent DePaul Beatrice Conference

OUR MISSION STATEMENT ---- A network of Friends, inspired by gospels values, growing in holiness and building a more  just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.

My name is Brian Koch, and I am a Vincentian with the St. Vincent de Paul Beatrice Conference in Beatrice, Nebraska.

Since 2014, the St. Vincent de Paul Beatrice Conference has walked alongside individuals and families throughout Gage County during some of life's most difficult moments. Whether assisting with rent, utility bills, transportation, vehicle repairs, or other unexpected hardships, our mission has always been rooted in one simple belief: every person deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and hope.

This year, we are asking for your support as we launch a new Special Works dedicated to serving one of our community's most overlooked populations, our neighbors returning home after incarceration.

Far too often, people return to Gage County determined to rebuild their lives but face overwhelming barriers to employment, housing, transportation, healthcare, mental health services, and meaningful relationships. Too many are expected to succeed without anyone walking beside them.

We believe we are called to change that.

Our vision begins before someone ever leaves prison. We hope to build relationships while individuals are still incarcerated by offering restorative justice programming, mentorship, and meaningful employment opportunities that provide a true prevailing wage. By helping individuals earn income and save for their release, they can return home with greater stability, dignity, and a realistic plan for success.

When they return to our community, our commitment is just beginning.

We will help connect our neighbors with employment, housing, transportation, medical care, mental health resources, and spiritual support, but this ministry goes beyond providing services.

We believe lasting transformation happens through authentic relationships.

We'll share meals together. Attend community events together. Participate in  retreats together. Celebrate milestones together. Walk through setbacks together. We want every person we serve to know:

"You are not alone. We will walk with you."

This ministry is intentionally relational rather than transactional. We are not focused on serving the greatest number of people, we are focused on serving people well. By investing deeply in each individual, we believe we can help create lasting change that strengthens families, restores dignity, and makes our entire community healthier.

Your gift will help provide employment assistance, transportation, mentoring, restorative justice programming, emergency support, and spiritual accompaniment for our returning neighbors.

As St. Vincent de Paul reminds us, "No work of charity is foreign to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul."

Together, we can transform lives by replacing isolation with belonging, barriers with opportunity, and despair with hope. Thank you for partnering with us as we welcome our neighbors home and walk alongside them on the journey toward restoration.

Brian Koch

Vice President Saint Vincent DePaul Beatrice Conference