» Project Kathleen
Hebrews 13:1-2 Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Project Kathleen supports families with children that show the potential and desire to establish secure homes in our community. We partner with Episcopal Community Services in their Supportive Housing Program. ECS provides social services and we provide a mentor, personal, and financial support to families while they are in transition. As we work with individual families struggling to find security in St. Paul, we pray that our efforts, joined with those of other churches and service groups, will strengthen the social fabric of our community so that all of our children will have homes.
Since 2006, when the families of St. John’s joined into this partnership, we have served with 4 ECS caseworker angels and St. Mary’s parish to serve ten families: 10 mothers, 1 older brother, 2 fathers, and 28 children (infant to 17). We are currently mentoring three families: a mom and dad with a son, and two moms who each have one daughter and one son.
All members of St. John’s support our families through their support of the church. Volunteers with Project Kathleen act as mentors to families, serve on our committee that connects our families to the members of our parish, provide rides, care for children, raise and donate funds or goods, create welcome baskets, or provide for other needs that our families may have.You are needed and working with Project Kathleen provides many opportunities, such as:
- Opportunity for ministry with personal contact and care
- Opportunity to speak at services, participate in committee work, or meet with ECS
- Help families in need at a critical time
- Provide interim housing needs
- Help lift to financial independence
- Mentor
Contact person—Mary Frances Palmer. We regularly meet once a month, so if you are interested in learning more, please join us at 6:30 p.m. on the 4th Thursday of each month in the Undercroft Meditation Rm.