Vol. 4, No. 1 Spring 2002
The Incarnate Word Foundation awarded Annunciation Grants, applied for in October 2001, to 35 organizations on January 17, 2002. The grants, totaling $334,404 support efforts to promote all aspects of health that make communities and people strong. Annunciation Grants, for $10,000 or less, are listed below.
The foundation also made Extraordinary Grants to the Immigrant and Refugee Women's Program (see "Grantee Spotlight"), and the Saint Louis Association for Community Organizations (SLACO), a coalition of neighborhoods and churches that works to improve communities' quality of life through housing development and community organizing. Extraordinary Grants exceed $10,000 and support new programs and demonstration projects.
The St. Louis Partnership for Children and Youth, Southside Catholic Community Services, and Whole Kids Outreach, Ellington, MO, received Incarnate Word Partnership Grants. These awards support operations and encourage partnerships between the foundation and the grant recipient.
At-Risk Youth
American Friends Service Committee, St. Louis
Children/Families
East St. Louis (IL) Children's Foundation--Christian
Activity Center
Family Center, East St. Louis, IL
Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri
Penrose O'Fallon Family Learning Center, St. Louis
The Youth and Family Center, St. Louis
Community Health and Wellness
Carondelet Community Betterment Foundation, St. Louis
Catholic Diocese of Belleville (IL)--Catholic Urban Program
St. Louis Tax Assistance Program
The Kitchen, Springfield, MO
Developmentally Disabled
Family Support Services, St. Charles
Vogelweid Learning Center, Jefferson City, MO
Education
City House in Grand Center, St. Louis
Incarnate Word Academy, St. Louis
Perry County Community Task Force, Perryville, MO
Shiloh Adult & Children's Basic Educational Center, St. Louis
Springboard to Learning, St. Louis
Young Audiences of St. Louis
HIV/AIDS
Doorways, St. Louis
Housing
Franciscan Connection, St. Louis
Intercommunity Housing Association, St. Louis
Immigration
St. Elizabeth Academy, St. Louis
St. Pius V Church and School, St. Louis
Incarceration
Institute for Peace and Justice, St. Louis
Let's Start, Inc., St. Louis
Prison Arts Program, St. Louis
Maternal/Child Health
Birthright Counseling-St. Louis
JA's Youth and Fitness Club, St. Louis
Mental Health
Guardian Angel Settlement Association, St. Louis
Places for People, St. Louis
Older Adults
Autonomous Case Management, St. Louis
CSJ Ministries--CSJ Care, St. Louis
Spirituality
Tree House Healing Ministry, St. Louis
Violence
Child Advocacy Project/Soulard Family Center, St. Louis
OWL, the Voice of Midlife and Older Women, St. Louis
Grantee SpotlightImmigrant and Refugee Women's ProgramWomen who arrive in St. Louis as immigrants and refugees often face serious barriers to participating in the life of their new community. In addition to not speaking English, they are typically isolated and afraid to leave their homes. Sr. Elise Silvestri, SSND, responded to these women's predicament by starting the Immigrant and Refugee Women's Program, originally the Vietnamese Women's Project, in 1995. Volunteer teachers come to the homes of women in the program to teach them English and practical living skills. Today an average of 60 women each month are enrolled in the program. These students come from many countries, including Vietnam, Bosnia, Albania, Mexico, Kurdistan, Iraq, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Benin, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Afghanistan. Two full-time teachers, who receive a stipend, and more than 50 volunteer teachers meet with their students for one hour twice a week. Each teacher generally has only one student at a time. Teaching experience is not required for the volunteers, although it is helpful. More important is sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to adapt. Using materials provided by the program, the teachers primarily focus on teaching basic English, but they also provide cultural information. The students practice real-life situations such as making doctor appointments, using public transportation, and asking for help from store clerks. "Our desire is to help the women become self-confident so they can enter into their children's school life and, ultimately, contribute to the life of the community," says Sr. Elise. The program is funded by grants, donations, and fund-raising events. Students pay a nominal fee if they are able. A favorite quote of Sr. Elise's captures the spirit of the Immigrant and Refugee Women's Program: "Our first task in approaching another people, another culture, another religion is to take off our shoes; for the place we are approaching is holy." |
In summer 2002, the foundation will join other area foundations in cosponsoring an educational program on Missouri tax credit programs. Information on time and place will be available in late spring.
The Incarnate Word Academy, St. Louis, has established the annual Sr. Pat Kelley, CCVI, Memorial Award to recognize an academy student who best exemplifies Sr. Pat's commitment to serve those in need and promote human dignity. Sr. Pat, an academy alumna, died tragically in 1987 at the age of 50. She founded EnergyCare and initiated many other projects such as Dollar Help to assist those in need to have comfortable homes. She frequently appeared in the media as an outspoken advocate for the poor. "Through the new award, what she was about can continue to be remembered in a tangible way," said Sr. Cathy Vetter, CCVI, foundation board chairperson. "Sr. Pat's spirit will be a part of the lives of the young women at Incarnate Word Academy."
The foundation is embarking on a strategic planning process that will result in a long- term strategic plan. The planning process is focusing on four key questions:
The outcome of this process will provide direction to the foundation’s grant making, as well as the foundation’s other activities.
On March 19 the Incarnate Word Foundation cosponsored a workshop with the Catherine's Legacy Foundation of the Sisters of Mercy-St. Louis to help organizations address the vital issues of strategic fundraising and outcomes evaluation. Speakers included Sr. Mary Ann Nestel, CSJ, director of development, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet; Jim Radford and Steve Meier, Holmes, Radford & Avalon, Inc.; and Leslie Whitaker, Philliber & Associates.
Radford shared the following points to guide strategic fundraising:
Please note: Applications that are incomplete at the deadline will not be considered for funding.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sr. Cathy Vetter, CCVI, Chairperson
Linda M. Allin
Sr. Margaret Bonnot, CCVI
Patrick J. Cacchione
Fred Falker
Peter J. Genovese
Sharon M. Homan, PhD
Al Litteken
Sr. Mary Kay McKenzie, CCVI
Camilleann Nelson
Sr. Mary Pezold, CCVI
Sr. Yolanda Tarango, CCVI
Thomas A. Villa
STAFF
Bridget McDermott Flood
Executive Director
Leah Sweetman
Project Director
Jacqueline Metzler
Executive Assistant
5257 Shaw Avenue, Suite 309
St. Louis, MO 63110
314-773-5100
Fax: 314-773-5102
e-mail:
iwfdn@swbell.net
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