Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina Awards $89,050 to Sister-led Ministries
September 19, 2012
COLUMBIA, SC – September 19, 2012 – The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina awarded seven Collaboration for Ministry Initiative (CMI) Strengthening Ministry grants, totaling $89,050, to programs associated with women religious (Catholic nuns) across South Carolina.
Since its inception, the Foundation has supported women religious in their efforts with the poor and underserved, and recognizes the needs and challenges facing congregations of women religious in South Carolina. The CMI Strengthening Ministry grants are designed to support women religious and strengthen their outreach ministries, which have a range of needs.
The following organizations received 2012 Collaboration for Ministry Initiative grants:
Felician Sisters of St. Ann Catholic Outreach Center in Kingstree received $15,000 to set up a technology lab and subscribe to a reading and phonics program for underserved children in the after school program. ($15,000, Williamsburg County)
Franciscan Center in St. Helena Island was awarded $25,000 for the Center of Hope project. This project helps economically disadvantaged families improve their living conditions, by providing necessary materials for roofs, ramps, flooring, kitchens and bathrooms, while the family procures labor. It also improves the temporary living conditions of 1,200 migrant agricultural workers and their families by providing food, linens, toiletries and clothing. ($25,000, Beaufort County)
Our Lady of Mercy Neighborhood House in Johns Island received $10,000 to support nutritional and educational services that meet the needs of the poorest of the poor in urban Charleston. ($10,000, Charleston County)
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Center in Gloverville was awarded $5,000 to help establish a job preparedness center for low-income residents of Horse Creek Valley. ($5,000, Aiken and Edgefield counties)
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in Greenville received $14,050 for a comprehensive Student Support Team (SST) to provide assessment, individual education planning and behavioral counseling to students. ($14,050, Greenville County)
St. Cyprian Outreach Center in Georgetown was awarded $10,000 to provide low-income families with emergency utility and rent assistance. ($10,000, Georgetown County)
St. Martin de Porres Catholic School in Columbia received $10,000 to support the Reading Through the Arts and Technology III program. The program actively engages students in a global awareness curriculum which includes reading, art, music, technology and social studies. ($10,000, Richland County)
Visit the Foundation’s website at sistersofcharitysc.com or call 803.254.0230 ext. 17 for more information on the Foundation’s Collaboration for Ministry Initiative.
About the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative
Historically, Sister-affiliated ministries have a strong and successful record in reducing poverty in South Carolina. Sisters have established schools, hospitals and social service ministries that have served hundreds of thousands of people in the state over the past 200 years. Today, due to aging of Sisters and the decline in new recruits, there is an accelerating loss of Sisters’ ministries in South Carolina. Additionally, the few active Sisters remaining are scattered throughout the state and they, along with their ministries, are frequently alone in their efforts to address poverty.
In light of their circumstances, nine years ago, the Foundation began an initiative which seeks to understand and assist these ministries in South Carolina. Working to strengthen and sustain these ministries, the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative conducts a variety of activities including convening meetings, providing technical assistance, facilitating transitions of leadership of Sister-affiliated ministries, providing grants and evaluating these efforts.
About the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, established in 1996, is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. The Foundation is committed to addressing the needs of the poor and underserved in all 46 South Carolina counties, and strategically uses resources to reduce poverty through action, advocacy and leadership.
