Easter Joy at St. Ann's Center

This blog is part of a monthly reflection series from Sister Nancy Downing - CEO, St. Ann's Center. 
Find more of these reflections by visiting the archive: Sister Nancy's Note.

When I think about the past month at St. Ann’s Center, one word comes to mind – brightness!

Bright spaces. Bright faces. Bright spirits. All made possible by donors and volunteers like you.

During a recent gathering of St. Ann’s supporters, I shared how one group literally brightened our residents’ lives by refreshing and re-painting the common areas at our Faith House transitional housing program*. Our moms were awed by this generosity – that someone cared enough to do this for them!

Easter décor (and parties for our families!) have also helped brighten this special season. Most amazing, though, has been the connections blossoming between our moms and children in recent days – connections made possible through the caring, nurturing, and stable environment you help provide.

During our Easter egg hunt, I watched as one older child (8 years old) assisted his much-younger peers, helping them return with full baskets to their proud moms. Our whole community has watched this young fellow grow daily into the caregiver, helper, and nurturer he is today.

Then there was the one-year-old child, who you might mistake for being twice her age, confidently toddling over to every other family and child in sight – curious, engaging, and exploring. “That’s Lily,” said another mom to a new resident. “Lily’s the rock star here!”

It brightens my heart: That our moms at St. Ann’s lift each other’s children up; these same children then watch out for their friends as if they were siblings; and people like you care enough to sustain this special mission, where the Gospel joy of Easter is felt all year long, not just one day.

Thank you. Happy Easter season to you and your loved ones!

Sincerely,

Sister Nancy Downing, CND
CEO, St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth and Families

*Thank you Chesapeake Finishing, Inc. for your generosity in refreshing the common areas at Faith House!

 
Two Easter Egg Hunt participants share their haul with volunteer Cassie Baloue.
(Photo: Cassie Baloue, Miss District of Columbia USA)

Join Us for Hope Blossoms!

Join Pam and Dennis Lucey, Co-Chairs of Hope Blossoms 2024, and Sister Nancy Downing, CEO, as we honor Sister Mary Bader for her exemplary service to St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth and Families. 

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024
6:00-8:00 pm
 Columbia Country Club
7900 Connecticut Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Learn more about this event and sponsorship opportunities at stanns.org.

About St. Ann's Center

St. Ann’s Center helps mothers and children overcome crisis and achieve lasting independence and stability by providing a safe and supportive home, child care, education and employment assistance, and clinical social work services within a Catholic community that welcomes all.