“For it is in giving that we receive.” -St. Francis of Assisi
As followers of St. Francis, St. Clare, and our Foundress Mother Clara Pfaender, we center our lives on the Franciscan tradition of reaching out to those on the margins of society. We continue this tradition meeting the needs of our time in collaboration with other organizations.
Through prayer, relationship-building and sharing of resources, we collaborate with organizations whose mission, values and priorities are similar to ours. We focus primarily on the following areas: care of creation; health and dental in underserved areas; refugees and immigrants; women, and children in vulnerable situations. We are currently related to over 120 organizations.
Featured Organizations
Care of Creation
Water Engineers for the Americas (WEFTA)
Unsanitary disposal of human waste and lack of potable water are major problems to the health of the developing communities across the world. Founded in 2002, WEFTA seeks to improve the quality of life and health of people living in developing countries such as Bolivia, Tanzania and other places, by promoting community-based, self-help projects. WEFTA’s primary mission is to share the technical expertise of its volunteers to help communities build their own clean water and sanitation infrastructure.
Refugee & Immigrant
World Relief DuPage/Aurora IL
World Relief DuPage/Aurora partners with hundreds of churches and volunteers to serve refugees, asylees, undocumented victims of violent crimes, and immigrants of all kinds. World Relief DuPage/Aurora provides a broad variety of services for immigrants and refugees, including furnishing apartments, case management, counselling, ESL, childhood education, parish placement, employment, etc.
Health & Dental
Almost Home Kids, Naperville IL
Almost Home Kids was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1992 as a transitional care home for children with medical complexities between the ages of newborn to age 21. Their programs improve the quality of life for children and families by preparing tomorrow’s parents and medical community with knowledge that will allow them to competently serve children with medical complexities.
Women & Children
New Mom’s Inc, Oak Park, IL
New Mom’s Inc., founded in 1983, provides housing services for moms under 25 years-old and their kids. The agency offers 40 apartments of transitional housing in their Transformation Center headquarters in Chicago, and 18 apartments of permanent supportive housing in their Clare Place residence in Oak Park. Additionally, the organization provides young moms with various educational and job-training programs, and employment in a candle making business.
Other Purposes
ASN Upendo Village, Naivasha, Kenya
Upendo Village is a ministry that was started jointly by the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi and the Wheaton Franciscans. The ministry provides support and services for very poor men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS in and around Naivasha, Kenya. As people regain their health, Upendo Village helps them move toward self-sufficiency.
