College basketball’s annual March tournament has begun, and hopefully you’re brackets haven’t broken your heart yet. That said, we also hope you’ll take a day off and divert your attention – for just a little while – on Thursday to a different sort of Madness – Match Madness.
At Saint Francis Ministries, we have lots of respect for social workers. Because they form the front line in our service to children and families, we see first-hand the challenges and sacrifices they face every day in their efforts to support the communities in which they serve and the lives they hope to change.
As a former child in foster care, Kansas law provided for a college tuition waiver, and she took advantage of the opportunity if offered. She earned her bachelor’s degree in human development and family sciences, with a minor in conflict analysis and trauma studies from Kansas State University. Then she went to Oklahoma State University, where she earned a master’s degree in human development with an emphasis in child and family services. She wrote her thesis on single support for youth who grow up in foster care and served an internship with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute in Washington, D.C. She also interned with the House Ways and Means Committee under chair Kevin Brady (R-TX). In short, she began to make a splash.
Every Tuesday, Alexandria Ware meets with a group of young people of color transitioning out of the foster care system. Together, they participate in group activities geared towards healing, advocacy, peer support, fun, and recreation, but mostly they talk. Alexandria’s primary purpose is to get to know them - and to help them know themselves, to discover their real selves. The group enables them to feel safe, supported, loved, and that they belong.
Every March, we get a bit excited here at Saint Francis Ministries. And while, many of us are indeed basketball fans, our anticipation has to do with a different sort of madness.
Created in 2016, the Saint Francis Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of Saint Francis Ministries, which means the fine folks working at the Foundation specialize in something called “development.”
For most of us, Valentine’s Day inspires thoughts of romantic love. Unfortunately, it can also provide powerful triggers for persons dealing with trauma. Our guest blogger this week, Director of Clinical Services Pamela Cornwell, offers suggestions to help navigate the holiday.
Here at Saint Francis, we’re not afraid to talk about love – especially the unconditional kind. It is, after all, fundamental to the principles that have inspired our organization from the earliest days.
A lot can happen in a year. Births, graduations, weddings, and deaths. At any point during the 365 days of a year, we might start a new job, meet a new friend, or start a business. Each year offers opportunities to grow, to learn, and to contribute towards the well-being of others.
“We belong to each other” is a phrase we say a lot around Saint Francis Ministries. We know that no single organization can support vulnerable and at-risk children in the community by itself. That’s why our community partners are so essential to the work we do. St. James Episcopal is just one of those partners.