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A Minute With Sister Mary: A Day in the Life at St. Ann's Center
June 3, 2022
June 2022: A Day in the Life at St. Ann's Center
This blog is part of a monthly reflection series from St. Ann's Center CEO, Sister Mary Bader. Find more of these reflections by visiting the archive here: A Minute With Sister Mary.
Greetings from St. Ann’s Center! As summer begins, I am reflecting with gratitude on the blessings we have received this year. Your generous support has allowed us to keep serving the women and children most in need in our region. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.
Friends sometimes ask if summers are quiet at St. Ann’s. My experience has been just the opposite! Allow me to paint a picture of what our families, staff, and supporters have been up to:
Young mothers in our transitional housing programs continue to find stability and achieve self-determined goals for their families. With Residential Staff support, mothers navigate busy daily schedules including jobs (sometimes in-person, sometimes remote), spending quality time with their children, and in many cases, evening classwork as part of certificate or degree programs.
Residents also coordinate with our Clinical and Social Work Services team for the challenging work of healing from past traumas, while also planning for healthy and stable futures. Mothers work one-on-one with case workers, as well as in group activities such as our facilitated journaling session for May: Mental Health Awareness Month.
St. Ann’s friends and supporters have helped create some amazing weekend social events for our families, including an Easter Party with Disney princesses and a Spring Carnival, complete with a bounce castle and face painting. We have also enjoyed meeting new friends who have visited St. Ann’s to contribute needed items, meet our staff, and tour our campus.
Finally, our Child Care Center – which serves children-in-residence as well as children from the local community - has been busy celebrating Spirit Week, preparing for our Kindergarten Graduation, and planning for a fun Summer Recreation Program ahead.
As you can see, life at St. Ann’s is far from quiet! Truthfully, we wouldn’t want it any other way.
- Sister Mary Bader, CEO
P.S. Thank you for being a part of our families’ stories – which have been deservingly highlighted in recent media coverage within Global Sisters Report, National Catholic Register, NBC4 Washington, and the Washington Post. If you haven't already, I invite you to read and watch these moms tell their powerful stories, in their own words.
Hope Blossoms: A Special Thank You
In our forthcoming Summer newsletter, you will see a full recap of Hope Blossoms - our annual reception and awards ceremony - which was held in-person for the first time since 2019 at Columbia Country Club
In the meantime, I wish to briefly thank our event Co-Hosts, Pam and Dennis Lucey, for helping to create a night we will never forget!
If you weren't able to attend the event, you can view our event photo gallery HERE or watch the livestream of our program by clicking HERE (recording begins at the 01:06:00 timestamp).
About St. Ann's Center
Mission Statement: St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth and Families strengthens and supports families on their journey toward stability. Inspired by Catholic social teaching and Gospel values, St. Ann's Center provides a nurturing community where families heal from the past, overcome barriers, and take hold of their future.
St. Ann's Center is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit committed to lifting vulnerable children, mothers and families out of poverty and homelessness. Our innovative housing and support programs build upon a family's inherent strengths by providing the tools for life-long independence and self-sufficiency. St. Ann's serves families of all backgrounds and faith identities.
Want to Support St. Ann's Center's Work?
Thank you for considering a gift to help St. Ann’s Center’s work of supporting young, vulnerable women and children on their journey toward stability. Your donation will enable St. Ann's Center to meet the immediate needs of our families and will support the long-term sustainability of our life-changing programs.
Donate here: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/stannscenter
