A Message from Lauren Solidum, President & CEO
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (CCNEK) is excited to share plans for a new chapter in how we serve vulnerable individuals and families in the Topeka community. On June 1, 2026, CCNEK acquired the assets of Let’s Help, Inc. (LHI) as part of our long-term vision to create a more accessible, mission-centered experience that better meets the evolving needs of our community while preserving the compassion, dignity, and care that have long defined both organizations.
In the coming months, CCNEK’s Topeka Family Support Center will relocate from 234 S. Kansas Avenue to the facility formerly operated by LHI at 245 SW MacVicar Avenue. As part of this transition, several operational enhancements and facility modifications will be implemented to better align programs, facilities, and services with community needs.
To facilitate these enhancements, operations at CCNEK’s current location will permanently close on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. In addition, LHI, now a ministry of CCNEK, will temporarily pause services beginning Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Services will resume as part of CCNEK’s Topeka Family Support Center on Wednesday, July 15, at 245 SW MacVicar Avenue. While this brief interruption may create short-term challenges, it represents an important investment in building a stronger, more efficient, and more accessible service model for the Topeka community.
At the new location, CCNEK will continue providing a broad range of programs designed to support the whole person and strengthen family stability, including food assistance, daily meal service, monthly client-choice pantry access, clothing assistance, hygiene and diaper support, direct financial assistance for rent, utilities, and housing needs, workforce and asset development programming, and pregnancy support services.
Existing LHI ministries, including the clothing closet and hot meal program, will continue alongside CCNEK’s long-standing Corita’s Corner sandwich ministry, creating an even more comprehensive and coordinated network of support for individuals and families in need.
Our hope is to retain all volunteers and supporters who wish to remain involved in this important work. We also ask our community partners, local food pantries, and fellow social service agencies to help support those in need during this temporary service pause. Together, we can ensure our neighbors continue receiving assistance while we prepare to reopen with expanded capacity and an even stronger commitment to serving the Topeka community.
We recognize that transitions can bring questions and uncertainty, and we are committed to communicating openly throughout this process. Most importantly, our commitment to serving the Topeka community remains unchanged. We are deeply grateful for the staff, volunteers, donors, partners, and clients who make this mission possible, and we believe these changes will strengthen our ability to serve our neighbors with dignity, compassion, and hope for years to come. Additional details and operational updates will be shared as the transition progresses.
