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Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity In the United States since 1874 "Trusting in God and open to risk we walk with courage"
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Francis Center
![]() Niagara Falls, NYA place to experience the joy of
learning
…where
there is despair, hope. …where
there is darkness, light. …where
there is sadness, joy. From
the prayer of St. Francis Since 1996 Francis Center has provided a safe and welcoming place for children of all faiths and backgrounds:
Two
primary schools in our Niagara Falls neighborhood have an enrollment of 1800
students. 1999 reports indicate that 72.7% (School A) and 50.8% (School B) These
schools report poverty levels of 83% based on Federal Lunch Program eligibility
guidelines. Principals
report a significant number of children are cited for aggressive behavior or
difficulty relating with peers.
Most
of these children cannot afford tutoring or lessons and experiences in fine
arts. Francis Center provides a variety of programs responding to the needs of children:
If
you put food and shelter into the inner city, you
will reap survival. If
you put art and beauty and values there, you
will reap soul. To
develop fully human beings in this society we
must provide more than food and shelter. We
must give living skills, group skills, and the civilizing value of the
fine arts as well.
Joan D.
Chittister, OSB Francis
Center is sponsored and staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis, Stella Niagara,
NY. Joining
them in this service are many volunteers from the community: University
and high school students, senior
citizens, neighbors and professional teachers. To
continue our mission, we need your help too. Please
join us by making a tax-exempt contribution to: FRANCIS CENTER1301
Ferry Avenue Niagara
Falls, New York 14301 716-282-3783 |
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