(Right) Associate Lauren Brownlee marching with the August 2018 farm worker March for Dignity with the National Farm Worker Ministry and others in Washington state along the Canadian border.

As members of the Society of the Sacred Heart, an international congregation, we are committed to addressing the needs of those who suffer from injustice.The Society of the Sacred Heart Constitutions state: “Wherever we are sent, whatever our work may be, our lives will be inspired by the love of the Heart of Jesus…expressed in a thirst for working towards justice and peace in the world in response to the cry of the poor.” (Society of the Sacred Heart Constitutions, §13)

RSCJ, Associates of the Sacred Heart and partners in the Society's mission serve under-resourced and marginalized communities in a variety of settings. In order to extend this service, the Duchesne Fund for Ministry was established to support organizations with whom we collaborate on projects that reflect Gospel values. Duchesne Fund for Ministry grants are awarded to projects serving under-resourced and marginalized communities within the United States. (The Society’s International Solidarity Fund, Canadian Donation Fund, and some Network schools fund projects outside the United States. 

Rationale

Following the calls of the General Chapters of 2008 and 2016, the province collaborates with others to assist those who search for justice, those who seek meaning in their lives, and those who have been hurt, displaced, or excluded for reasons of poverty, violence, and destruction of the environment. 
Duchesne Fund for Ministry grants are awarded to projects that benefit:

  • women
  • children
  • young adults
  • migrants and refugees
  • undocumented persons

who suffer the effects of:

  • poverty
  • marginalization
  • human trafficking
  • homelessness
  • environmental hazards

 

 

Volunteers at the Thensted Center in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, prepare sack lunches for children in the area during the COVIS-19 pandemic

Projects the Society of the Sacred Heart, United States – Canada, supported 2018-2020

Archbishop Carroll High School
Washington, D.C
Project: Improving Internet Connectivity

ARISE (A Resource in Serving Equality) Adelante and MACC (Mexican American Catholic College)
Alamo, Texas and San Antonio, Texas
Projects: PuenTec: Building an Educational Bridge and people bridge between MACC and ARISE via educational technology, focused meetings and visits
Mensajes: Renovando Nuestra Historia

Assisi House
St. Louis, Missouri
Projects: Expanding housing capacity and services provided to residents, operations

Bethany House of Hospitality
Chicago, Illinois
Project: Offering housing and support services to young immigrant women as they journey to independence

Casa Esperana Project
Chicago, Illinois
Project: Economic Independence University

Centro de Recursos Educativos para Adultos, Inc, (Center for Adult Education) CREA
New York, New York
Project: Adult Education

Catholic Academy of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Project: Integrating emotional learning into our Schools to Help Students Succeed

Children's Hospital in New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
Project: Providing care for the whole child: Body, Mind & Creative Spirit

Cornelia Connelly Center
New York, New York
Project: Sprout Creek Capstone Field Trip

Duchesne House and Community Book Center
New Orleans, Louisiana
Project: Remembering and Celebrating: Intergenerational Tools and Practice for Documenting Family and Community History

Have Truth Ministry
Project: Indian Reservation Public Awareness & Education on Poverty Issues

Friends of Old St. Ferdinand Inc.
Florissant, Missouri
Project: Old St. Ferdinand's Education Program

Ignatian Spirituality Project – Boston
Boston, Massachussettes
Project: Spiritual retreats for men and women living on the margins

Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart
Chicago, Illinois
Project: Student Support Initiatives

Joseph's House and Shelter
Troy, New York
Project: Prison Re-Entry

La Posada Providencia
San Benito, Texas
Project: Client Self-Sufficiency Program

Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service, Inc. (LSA)
New York, New York
Projects: Food Pantry and Advocacy
Emergency Shelter Needs

Living Wages Adult Education Program
Washington, DC
Project: Keys to Success

LSA Family Health Services
New York, New York
Project: Advocacy and Food Pantry

Marian Middle School
St. Louis, Missouri
Project: Enrichment Program

National Farm Worker Ministry
Raleigh, North Carolina
Project: Harvest of Justice

RDC Center for Counseling and Human Development
White Plains, New York
Project: Bilingual Mother Daughter Group

Southwest Chicago Homeless Services
Chicago, Illinois
Projects: Serving the needs of homeless/housing insecure women and their children
Homeless Prevention and Housing Placement

St. Cecilia School and Academy
St. Louis, Missouri
Project: Maker Space Co-laboratory

St. Bernard Project, In. d/b/a/ SBP, Inc.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Project: Ms. Johnigan's Home

St. Elizabeth Elementary School
Oakland, California
Project: Garden of Learning – Program Restoration

St. Madeleine Sophie's Training Center (SMSC)
El Cajon, California
Projecst: An exercise Rehabilitation Scholarship Program for low-income individuals with physical and developmental disabilities
Mobility Training for Adults with Disabilities

St. Louis Area Women Religious Collaborative Ministries
St. Louis, Missouri
Project: English Tutoring Project

St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America (IFCLA)
St. Louis, Missouri
Projects: Migration Justice: Sanctuary, Solidarity and Support
Asylum Accompaniment: A Project of Hope and Justice

Students without Limits
San Diego, California
Project: Supporting Immigrant Youth in Crisis

Thensted Center
Grand Coteau, Louisiana
Projects: Empowering Seniors Program – Senior Volunteers
Children's Learning Program
Summer Renaissance Learning Program for Underserved Youth

The Little Bit Foundation
St. Louis, Missouri
Project: Little Bit Literacy Programs

Washington Interfaith Network
Washington, D.C.
Fighting Displacement and Deportation in the District