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| About Us Our Motherhouse |
St. Joseph Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The international Motherhouse of the School Sisters of St. Francis is located at 1501 S. Layton Boulevard in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is home to more than 50 sisters, the International Offices of the congregation and the offices of the United States Province. In addition, it is the site for many non-profit groups whose missions complement that of the School Sisters.
The first motherhouse, St. Joseph Convent, was built in Greenfield Park, then outside the city limits of Milwaukee. Dedicated in January, 1887, it also housed St. Joseph Academy for day students and boarding students. A devastating fire totally destroyed the building on March 31, 1890. Undaunted, Mothers Alexia and Alfons were determined to build anew. The rebuilt convent, dedicated on May 2, 1891, is the present Motherhouse.
In the following decades, additions to the new building included the magnificent St. Joseph Convent Chapel, and the west wing that housed the novitiate, music department and infirmary. Hundreds of future teachers, nurses, artists and musicians received their secondary and college training at the Motherhouse, prior to the building of the new Alverno College in the mid-1950s.
The Motherhouse began opening its doors to respond to the needs of retired and older adults through the LaFarge Life Learning Institute in 1969. By 1975, more than one thousand older adults were enrolled in the Institute.
In the early 1990s, a task force was established for long range planning and to review the use of space at St. Joseph Convent. A commitment was made to stay in the neighborhood, to remain as a home to sisters, to have the Chapel open to the public and to rent space to other groups. The name of the Motherhouse was changed at that time to St. Joseph Center. Presently there are 12 non-profit organizations sharing space at the Motherhouse and at Sacred Heart Center which is adjacent to the Motherhouse and is owned by the United States Province. St. Joseph Center and Sacred Heart Center are commonly referred to as the School Sisters of St. Francis Campus.
Organizations that are
tenants within the School Sisters of St. Francis Campus include:
Alfons Gallery and Gift Shop
Since 1992, Alfons Gallery has promoted the School Sisters
of St. Francis’ heritage and commitment to the
visual arts. The gallery provides a venue for SSSF and
other artists to display their art for the general public
to admire and purchase.
Alfons Gallery’s Gift Shop sells a variety of quality art objects, original cards, and paintings, as well as jewelry, at reasonable prices. The revenue from the gift shop supports the operations of the gallery. Gift shop hours are the same as the gallery’s. www.sssf.org/gallery
Archdiocese of Milwaukee
A listing of the archdiocesan offices located at St. Joseph Center is available on their website. www.archmil.org.
The Center to BE
The Center is an inclusive spirituality center that welcomes everyone who seeks a deeper relationship with God. The programs offered promote reflection, healing of body, mind and spirit, and community building. www.centertobe.org
Community Care
CC provides an alternative to nursing home care. Services include adult day care, home care, physical and occupational therapy, and medication management. Many retired School Sisters of St. Francis participate in CC. www.cco-cce.org
Ebenezer Child Care
This is a day care center for children ranging in age from four weeks to 12 years. Currently there are 60 children being served through Ebenezer Child Care. www.ebenezerchildcare.com
Layton Boulevard West Neighbors
LBWN is a neighborhood organization that builds partnerships with residents, businesses and institutions to achieve shared responsibility for the neighborhood; helps to ensure a safe and wholesome neighborhood; and strives to empower local leaders to be the voice of the neighborhood. LBWN is sponsored by the School Sisters of St. Francis. www.lbwn.org
Lutheran Social Services
The organization’s clinic on our Campus provides counseling services and educational programs for children and families. www.lsswis.org
National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA)
The mission of the NSCIA/SEW is to assist people who have some degree of paralysis through injury or disease with a goal of returning them to a life of dignity, self-confidence and independence in a community that is all inclusive. www.nsciasew.org
Near South Side Interfaith
The purpose of the organization is to link older adults with a Caring Community by helping the elderly maintain their independence and connecting them with community services, provide information to caregivers and recruit volunteers who provide the services of transportation, visits and assistance with minor tasks.
home.interfaithmilw.org
Patricia Hoben Carmen High School of Science and Technology
A small high school program whose purpose is to graduate all students as critical thinkers/self-directed learners who are prepared for success in college, meaningful careers, community involvement and family life.
St. Clare Management, Inc.
St. Clare Management was established by the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1989, and remains a School Sister-sponsored institution. The organization manages several apartment buildings in Milwaukee for low-income residents with physical disabilities. www.stclare-management.org
Servants of Mary
An administration and leadership office for Sisters, Servants of Mary of Ladysmith, Wisconsin is located in St. Joseph Center. www.servitesisters.org
Wings Academy
This academy is a charter school of the Milwaukee Public School System that educates students with learning disabilities and attention-deficit problems. Currently there are 150 students enrolled in the academy.
Employment Opportunities with the School Sisters of St. Francis
For further information about the School Sisters of St. Francis Campus, please contact:
| St. Joseph Center Sister Nedine Ferris Facility Director 1501 S. Layton Blvd. Milwaukee, WI 53215 414-384-4108 nferris@sssf.org |
Sacred Heart Center
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