Collaboration for Ministry InitiativeISSUE TWELVE • MARCH 2015

In response to

God’s call and in

the spirit of the

Sisters of Charity

of St. Augustine,

we strategically

use resources to

reduce poverty

through action,

advocacy and

leadership.

CMI 10th Annual Statewide Conference

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina hosted their Collaboration for Ministry Initiative 10th Annual Conference for Women Religious on November 21 through 23 of last year in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

More than 80 individuals attended including 62 nuns from seven states and three countries. With approximately 115 Women Religious serving in Ministry in South Carolina, most come from other states and many work in rural areas of the state. The theme for this year’s event was “Patience

and Prophecy: Bringing Kindness to a Weary World.” Featured speakers were Sister Sandra Makowski, SSMN, Chancellor of the Diocese of Charleston, Sister Margaret Carney, OSF, President of Saint Bonaventure University, Dr. Mark Small, Professor at Clemson University, and The Most Reverend Robert E. Guglielmone, Bishop of the Diocese of Charleston. Also presenting were representatives from Foundation grantee Our Lady of Mercy Outreach, Neighborhood House of Charleston. Prayers and rituals were led by CMI Advisory Council members with additional prayers being offered by Foundation Board members, Dee Dee Chewning and Sister Miriam Erb, CSA., and by Sister Judith Ann Karam, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine.

Over the past 11 years, the Sisters of Charity Foundation has hosted an annual Conference with nearly 1,000 attendees over all. The Foundation has provided more than $2.7 million in funding to support the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative.

SAVE THE DATE11th Annual Statewide Conference

“Wake Up South Carolina!”November 20-22, 2015

Marriott Resort at Grande DunesMyrtle Beach, South Carolina

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From the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative Women Religious Advisory Council

On March 2, members of the CMI Advisory Council gathered together for our first meeting of 2015 at the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina in Columbia. We reflected upon last year’s successful statewide conference, entitled “Patience and Prophecy: Bringing Kindness to a Weary World”, and began to make plans for this year’s conference.

Based on Pope Francis’ declaration that a Year of Consecrated Life be celebrated throughout the world from November 30, 2014 up until February 2, 2016, our statewide CMI conference this year will seek to

“Wake Up South Carolina!” We believe this will be a natural complement to the Pope’s theme of “Wake up the World!” Speakers are being invited and prayers and rituals will be rooted in how consecrated life will be expressed in the future.

We are very excited to begin the planning process of what will be a deeply moving and inspirational conference filled with thought-provoking and interactive sessions that will fill you with spiritual nourishment to carry back to your communities and ministries. Of course, there will also be ample time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

Mark your calendars now for November 20 – 22, 2015. More information regarding registration will be coming soon. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please call Donna Waites at the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina at 803-254-0230, extension 12.

Women Religious Advisory Council (l-r)

Sister Catherine Noecker, OSF – GreenvilleSister Patricia Rogan, OSF – Charleston Sister Eileen Quinn, SSMN – ColumbiaSister Bernadette Marie Cappola, OSC – Travelers Rest

Women Religious Advisory Council Members are selected based on their leadership and desire to support the vision of CMI. Sisters serving in an advisory capacity are representative of the diversity present among women religious serving in South Carolina (e.g. different congregations, types of ministries, and ministry locations). They also bring expertise in one or more of the following areas: leadership, collaboration, ministry development, capacity building, and/or effective ministry strategies to reduce poverty through education, health, and social services.

Nikki Grimball, Neighborhood House Director, presented at the 2014 Collaboration for Ministry Initiative Annual Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on the work Neighborhood House has been doing in its community for 99 years. Neighborhood House’s primary function is to provide services to keep people safe, fed, and clothed. The organization also emphasizes the importance of education and self-reliance.

“We hope that our basic giving programs lead participants into bigger things,” Grimball said. For example, one of Neighborhood House’s programs is a front porch library. People are welcome to sit on the front porch and read a book in peace without worry of being fined for loitering. This front porch is connected to the building where Neighborhood House has their GED programs.

“We pray that we can get them to come off that porch and into the door to get into a GED, art, crocheting, or computer literacy program. Whatever their interest is in on that porch,” Grimball said. “These people still have hopes and dreams like we do, but life happened.”

Neighborhood House’s successful giving programs are in constant need. Through the commitment of the Charleston community they are able to feed and clothe more people. They have the support of over 30 local restaurant and churches as well as families in the community. “A Daniel Island restaurant ran our Thanksgiving meal. Servers, chefs, and managers all came to serve a full-course meal,” Grimball said. “People sat at tables and were served as if they were at a restaurant.”

Neighborhood House expects for participants to remain transparent and honest while at their facilities.

“We will never ask someone to justify why they are in need. When a man walks up to your door in nothing but a trash bag that is not a time to ask why he is in the state he’s in,” Grimball said. “But there is an honesty that comes with these programs. We let people know that we cannot simply be their provider and that we are an emergency resource. That is why we help teach ways to sustain themselves.”

Self-sustainment and self-worth are two pillars of Neighborhood House’s mission.

“Everything we do is to build self-worth in these people,” Grimball said. “What we do is all about the dignity of a man. Once we can get people to realize they’re worth the investment, they’ll invest in themselves.”

Grimball believes that he owes Neighborhood House’s success to the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy (OLM) and the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.

“Every bit of our existence is because of the OLM sisters. They created us by having the vision and fortitude to put into place something that has lasted for 99 years and is still seen as a trusted support system to the community,” Grimball said.

As the sisters are growing older, they decided to turn over the Neighborhood House organization to Grimball.

“I have big shoes to fill, but these sisters are still involved,” Grimball said. “They may smile and pat you on the back, but they are strong and do not quiver when it comes to their mission. They give their time and commitment to help us do it better every day.”

Through grantmaking, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina has also played a role in the success of Neighborhood House.

“From the first time I met with someone from the Foundation there was an immediate sense of support,” Grimball said. “They wanted to know what we needed and how they could help.”

Grimball is thankful for guidance that community organizations and members have offered Neighborhood House.

“We wouldn’t have a solid organization if it weren’t for the investment that the Sisters and the Foundation is making in us,” Grimball said. “Both investments are unwavering and as long as we are true to the mission I know that they’re there.”

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Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach, Neighborhood House of Charleston

Mark Your Calendar

Carolina Academy for Nonprofits 2015 Workshops:

• How Can Our Nonprofit Develop a Culture of Excellence? March 31 • Why Communications Matters. April 22 • Why Integrate Your Public Relations and Marketing Strategy? May 20 • Who is Your Neighbor? Finding the Answer and Making a Difference July 22 • Are you Fiscally Fit? August 19 • How Do I Draw Lines That Establish Respect? September 16 • You’ve Got the Mission. What About the Money? October 7 • How Can You Win the Game if You Don’t Know the Rules? October 14 Workshops are limited in size and participants must complete an application. The workshops are free of charge. Visit the Foundation’s website for more information and to apply.

2015 Grant Opportunities:

Collaboration for Ministry Initiative GrantsThe Foundation has designated specific grant funds to support Women Religious and their ministries, serving the needs of the poor and underserved throughout South Carolina. Please visit our Website for updated application information. Requests submitted for consideration will be viewed in proportion to funds available. CMI Strengthening Ministry grant applications are due by June 5, 2015.

Learn more about grant opportunities and application deadlines at sistersofcharitysc.com.

2711 Middleburg Drive • Suite 115 • Columbia • SC • 29204 • 803.254.0230 • sistersofcharitysc.com

Foundation Welcomes Donna Waites to Staff

The Sisters of Charity Foundation is pleased to announce that Donna Waites has joined the staff as Program Director. She oversees the Foundation’s Strategic Grants and Community Enrichment Grant programs as well as the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative. She will also help with the Foundation’s Caritas Grants process.

“We are excited to have Donna join the Foundation staff,” Tom Keith, President, said. “She is a talented person and brings tremendous skills to the positon.”

Most recently, Donna served as Director of Philanthropy for the Providence Hospital Development Foundation. Earlier in her career, she led the fund development program for Healthy Learners. She has over 14 years of experience in the nonprofit sector.