In the early 1970s when I believed that my vocation in life was taking a different direction than life as a vowed member of a religious congregation, I felt strongly that there should be a way to stay connected with the community that was the School Sisters of St. Francis.  I did not want to sever ties with a group of women who had been part of my life since I was five years old – women that I had grown to respect for their commitment to social justice, their love of art and music, and their Franciscan spirit of warmth and good humor.  That is why I joined with other women in asking the School Sisters of St. Francis to consider an option for connection which came to be called Associate Relationship and which would be open to many more than former vowed members.

Over these last 30 some years, I have been pleased to participate in activities in support of the SSSF mission, particularly in areas related to working with less advantaged people in our global community and to make available any gifts I might be called upon to share with the community.  Associate Relationship has allowed me to take an important part of my history into my present and future.

Currently I am employed at Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago as Senior Director of Programs.  In addition to justice for immigrants – both legal permanent residents as well as the undocumented –my work involves advocating for quality childcare for working parents, opportunities for immigrant youth to go to college, increased resources for English as a second language and career preparation.  I also support community access to computer technology and the information superhighway.

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