Five years ago, people of faith convened around an issue facing families in the New Orleans community - homelessness.
The growing number of people experiencing homelessness increased to 70 percent after Hurricane Katrina. The number of places used to house families in crisis was few compared to the need. After hours of meeting with already existing providers, conducting research around the need and endless hours of consultation, this faith-based group formed the Hotel Hope nonprofit corporation.
Sister Mary Lou Specha, PBVM (Dubuque) is the Executive Director of Hotel
Hope. She works with an eight-member board of directors to carry out the mission of Hotel Hope. Over 15 partners in church ministries, business, religious communities and other nonprofits support these efforts. Hotel Hope is a nonprofit, interfaith hotel providing women and children in need of housing a safe and loving atmosphere and related supportive services.Hotel Hope is located in the heart of New Orleans, in the Broadmoor Neighborhood, a 157-block area where 100 percent of the properties were affected by six to 10 feet of floodwater following Hurricane Katrina.
Mary Lou Specha pbvm, Dubuque, IA USA
The well in the garden of Wellsprings for Women is a powerful image of the ancient place around which women gathered to share stories and encourage one another. It is a focal point for the many celebrations that bring the Wellsprings community together each year.
The Presentation story began in the city of Greater Dandenong situated 35 kilometers from Melbourne, in 1912. Sister Ann Halpin's ministry there over many years led her to respond to the enormous changes in the local demography - from a very Anglo/Irish community to the most culturally diverse city in Melbourne with more than 150 nationalities represented. Since its humble beginnings in 1994, Wellsprings for Women, located in our former convent, provides a wide range of services for hundreds of women from this exciting and challenging community. Read More
Women Empowering Women: Pakistan
As we experience our beloved country, Pakistan, in very sensitive situation, the sisters, teachers and students of St. Michael's Convent Peshawar arranged a day for women of different faiths such as Hindus, Muslims and Christians. The women came together and were welcomed by the children. The day entitled"Blessed are You Women Who are the Agent of Peace, Love, Forgiveness," helped us understand how blessed are these women who suffer due to poverty, violence, and cultural and religious pressures. Children showed the most important roles of women in the family and society. Please join us as we pray for peace for our country, Pakistan, and for the entire world.
Rozie Younas, pbvm, Pakistan
Life for the tribals is in the lap of creation. A tribal woman wakes up early; she cooks farms, rears animals, and births and nurtures children and the entire family. She is subordinate to her husband and elders in the joint family. She is lucky if her husband is kind to her, but if he is alcoholic, life is very difficult. Read More
Justice Matters