“Three years ago I attended a program called “Getting Ahead,
Moving Out of Poverty”. It has changed
my life and my view of people who live in poverty,” stated Sister Rose. “I became a facilitator with Jack Braun,
Program Manager, who initiated the program through St. Vincent de Paul in Fond
du Lac. I have learned so much and have met some very courageous families who
want to make a better life for themselves and their children”.
The Fond du Lac program has graduated 14 families since it began. It is an eighteen-week course with childcare provided and a meal served. “When people are in poverty their network of relationships are often limited” continued Sister Rose. “The first thing that occurs in class is creating an atmosphere of trust where people can share their daily struggles and stress. It is beautiful to witness as the participants open up to one another. They gradually become more confident as they believe they can have a better future. They want to get off food stamps and government help and move beyond the barriers they are experiencing. People in poverty live day to day, they are afraid of tomorrow and what it will bring. We strive to give them options and more control over their futures, we walk with them and challenge them, and we see them grow in self-confidence. Most of our participants are single parent mom’s and some are finishing their GED, others are graduating from college. They have hopes and dreams and we witness the risks they are willing take to make them come true.”
The Fond du Lac program has graduated 14 families since it began. It is an eighteen-week course with childcare provided and a meal served. “When people are in poverty their network of relationships are often limited” continued Sister Rose. “The first thing that occurs in class is creating an atmosphere of trust where people can share their daily struggles and stress. It is beautiful to witness as the participants open up to one another. They gradually become more confident as they believe they can have a better future. They want to get off food stamps and government help and move beyond the barriers they are experiencing. People in poverty live day to day, they are afraid of tomorrow and what it will bring. We strive to give them options and more control over their futures, we walk with them and challenge them, and we see them grow in self-confidence. Most of our participants are single parent mom’s and some are finishing their GED, others are graduating from college. They have hopes and dreams and we witness the risks they are willing take to make them come true.”
Sister Rose has been a member of the Congregation of Sisters
of St. Agnes for 62 years. She sparkles
with energy and enthusiasm when sharing about her volunteer work. In addition to facilitating for Getting Ahead
she is a Hospice Hope volunteer and tutors students in literacy at the public
library. She is living a life of purpose
and faith.
We thank our friends in Nicaragua, Cameroon, Brazil, France, Indonesia, Qatar, Australia, Aruba, Switzerland and the United States for visiting us.
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