Inside this issue:
Midwest Province Ordains Rev. Derek Swanson
Perboyre Mission House Opens Its Doors in Chicago
The Partnership Against Poverty
Gateway Vincentian Volunteers 2003-2004
Also visit:
The Partnership Against Poverty
Article contributed by Rev. William Hartenbach, CM
What began as "The Vincentian Corridor" almost two years ago was renamed the "Partners Against Poverty" and has been slowly developing into an organization that currently facilitates cooperation among the Catholic Churches and agencies that work in the 63104 and 63118 St. Louis zip codes.
Over the past ten to twelve months, the principal challenge to the Partnership has been focusing on areas where cooperation is both feasible and helpful. To help themselves meet this challenge, the partners contracted with St. Louis University’s School of Public Policy to do a study of the populations of the two zip codes. The study clarified things that both the churches and agencies assumed, and revealed some things that weren’t expected–at least not to the extent to which they exist. (For example, the number of people who have not completed a high school education is much higher than had been anticipated; the number of people who are totally dependent on public transportation and who are without telephones was also higher than expected.)
In an effort to avoid coming to people in need with already packaged solutions, the partners agreed that input from these people is essential to success. Again with the assistance of St. Louis University, focus groups are being held so the partners can hear what is needed as well as what people are experiencing from those already giving them assistance. Ann George, formerly the Provincials’ secretary, is transcribing the tapes of the group meetings.
All of the studies, as well as informal conversations with the people of the area served by the Partnership, indicate that education, and a regard for it, is a fundamental need. To begin to address that need, the Partnership is funding a Learning Club (i.e. a center for school-aged children in the 63118 zip code.) The center is located in the Five Church Older Adults’ Center, a new member of the Partnership, and is directed by Christine Shine, an alumna of the Gateway Vincentian Volunteers. (She is supervised by Rich LaPlume, an employee of Guardian Angel Settlement–another of the partners.) St. Vincent’s Parish has hosted a Learning Club for the past few years and the staff of that center are assisting with the development of the new center. The Learning Club is a national organization with a developed educational philosophy, curriculum, and necessary support system. It is directed primarily, but not solely, to inner-city children. Participation in the national organization requires an initial entrance fee and an ongoing annual fee. Those monies, as well as the funding for staff, are coming from a grant from the Incarnate Word Foundation and from money raised through a fund raiser held by the Partnership last year.
The membership of the Partnership Against Poverty includes St. Vincent’s
Parish, St. Catherine Labouré Parish, St. Francis de Sales Parish,
Guardian Angel Settlement, Hosea House, St. Francis Cabrini Academy, and
Gateway Vincentian Volunteers. Sisters of the Incarnate Word, Five Church
Older Adults’ Center, Fathers’ Support Center, and St. John’s
Mercy Neighborhood Ministry are currently informal members. One of the
goals of the Partnership has been the facilitation of collaboration; that
goal is being met in the cooperation happening with the Learning Club
and the development of additional programs.
Vincentian is published bimonthly by the Midwest and Southern Provinces of the Congregation of the Mission, the Vincentian Priests and Brothers, to promote the apostolic works of its members and those of the larger Vincentian Family.
Congregation of the Mission, Vincentian
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