Founder’s Day
Honoring Fr. Bob’s Legacy
In 1945, Father Robert Mize Jr. founded Saint Francis Boys’ Home in Ellsworth, Kansas, with one principle in mind: no young person should ever be defined by their past. Every child deserves love, dignity, and the chance to heal. Known affectionately as “Father Bob,” he championed compassion and hope as the foundation for transformation.
From our humble beginnings with just 12 boys, Saint Francis Ministries has grown significantly over the last 80 years, and today, we serve thousands of children, youth, and families in six states through a broad range of programs and services.
This Founder’s Day, help celebrate his vision and continue the mission he began by giving at a symbolic level of your choice:
- $19.45: A symbolic gift in honor of the year of our founding.
- $80: Give $1 for each year Saint Francis Ministries has been providing healing and hope.
- $160: Double your commitment in support of our vision to transform lives and systems.
- $400: Give $50 for each decade SFM has expanded services: foster care, adoption, behavioral health, residential
programs, Family Centered Treatment®, independent living, and in-home prevention. - $1,945: Honor the legacy of Father Bob Mize by supporting the work he began in 1945, ensuring every child and
youth finds a path to a hopeful future. - GEM Level: $19.45/month ($233.40 annually): Become a recurring GEM donor. Your monthly gift sustains foster care, adoption, behavioral health, residential, and family preservation services
Every gift – large or small – carries forward Father Bob’s dream of transforming heartbreak into hope. Together, we continue his mission to bring healing and wholeness to those who need it most.
Success Stories
Matt’s Story
Matt’s journey is a powerful story of redemption, resilience, and the impact of compassionate support. After struggling with a 15-year addiction and multiple CPS cases, Matt hit rock bottom when
Brett’s Story
In this testimonial, we hear from Brett, a resident at Bridgeway, a Saint Francis Ministries program in Picayune, Mississippi that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Brett shares
David’s Story
David, a former teacher and school administrator, is now a foster parent with Saint Francis Ministries and a behavior intervention specialist. Inspired by his grandmother and a deep desire to