Ministry News Archives • Saint Francis Ministries

Ministry News

Finding Shelter: Taking care of human trafficking survivors

October 2020 · Ministry News

Anti-human trafficking agencies throughout the country graciously shared their resources and time in a survey conducted by Saint Francis Ministries to produce a listing of the number of beds available to survivors of Commercial Sex Exploitation and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, or CSE/C. This listing is designed to be a resource to communities, nonprofits, and government leaders who are working to develop stronger networks of support for survivors and to connect them with these services.

BCBS of Kansas Foundation grants $25,000 to support telehealth

September 2020 · Ministry News

A $25,000 grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation will support access to critical behavioral health services for Kansas residents through the expansion of telehealth services. The Saint Francis Ministries’ Outpatient Behavioral Health department will use the funding to support its telehealth services, which have been important in reaching clients during the pandemic when social distancing measures were needed. Telehealth means therapy sessions and other behavioral health services are offered virtually.

Saint Francis Mississippi adds new services

September 2020 · Ministry News

A collaboration between Saint Francis Ministries and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will offer Picayune area adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities for fun and educational activities. Saint Francis Day Services – Adult opened its doors Aug. 3, 2020, at 1421 Goodyear Blvd., in a building at St. Paul’s campus that formerly housed the parish’s education center.

HEAR OUR STORY: Fr. Bobby shares the history of Saint Francis

· Ministry News

Fr. Robert N. Smith, dean, president and CEO of Saint Francis Ministries, shares the history of the organization in an audio format.

Policy & Advocacy Team Moves Quickly to Support Saint Francis Children, Families

August 2020 · Advocacy, Coronavirus, Hi-Lites, Ministry News

As world leaders officially declared a coronavirus pandemic in March, Saint Francis Ministries’ policy and advocacy team began the important work of determining how children and families would be impacted. The work continues today as the United States and those we serve continue to be affected by COVID-19.

More Than Ever, Children Need A Vigilant Community

August 2020 · Child Abuse Prevention, Coronavirus, Hi-Lites, Ministry News

Staying home during the COVID-19 crisis is supposed to be a safety measure that protects our community, ourselves, and our children from further spread of the coronavirus. Unfortunately, for many children, home is anything but a haven – especially when so many families already at risk must live in isolation together for extended periods of time.

The Generosity of Many Supports Saint Francis’ Work

August 2020 · Donor Stories, Hi-Lites, Kansas, Ministry News

It’s difficult to enumerate all of the gifts that have impacted Saint Francis during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful and honored by community support that makes it possible for us to continue to provide the best, most supportive care for children and families. For instance, McCormick Distillery, like many distilleries, switched their production, and then donated 15 gallons of hand sanitizer. Great Plains Manufacturing in Salina also donated hand sanitizer.

Care Portal Meets Urgent Needs During Crisis

July 2020 · Foster Care / Adoption, Hi-Lites, Ministry News

Headed for an appointment across town with two little children in the back seat, the last thing Carolyn needed was car trouble. Yet, that’s what she got. Ever since she volunteered to provide kinship care to her 3- and 4-year-old relatives, she’d relied on that car to transport them to doctor appointments, visitations, and case management meetings. Now she had no vehicle. And though she works full-time, the repair costs were way beyond her means. She relayed her predicament to her Saint Francis case worker, who submitted a needs request to CarePortal, and within hours a local church stepped up to pay for Carolyn’s car repairs.

85-year-old woman sews 1,400 masks, supports Saint Francis

July 2020 · Donor Stories, Hi-Lites, Ministry News, Nebraska

Darlene Miller will be 85 years old in August. She has spent much of the last few months of her 84th year tucked in behind her sewing machine, making more than 1,300 masks for the Grand Island, Nebraska, community where she lives. In fact, her masks have been shipped throughout the state, and some landed at Saint Francis offices where they were gratefully received for children, families, and employees.

Support for Urgent Services Needed

July 2020 · Coronavirus, Foster Care / Adoption, Hi-Lites, Ministry News

The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented shift in how Saint Francis Ministries approaches the services we provide for children and families. Impacts from the pandemic unfolded over several months in the communities where Saint Francis works, and the organization expects to see long-term challenges. With an initial focus on supporting staff and clients in staying safe and healthy, Saint Francis has begun to develop new ways of serving children and families.

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