Underwriting support from:
Front:Sisters Pat Kennedy, Olga Mizzi,Josine Schafer. Back: Sisters Dorena Gonzalez, Joan Pichette,Kathi Sleziak, Vera Tilmann.
Sister Pat Kennedy tutoring.
Sister Josine Shafer tutoring.
The WORD HASD After-School Tutoring Program in Grand Rapids received a grant in the amount of $2,500 from the Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters (based in Los Angeles, California). The WORD HASD program is a ministry of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids . Recipients of the grants must meet certain criteria. Grants are available to Sisters in Direct Service, the requirements stating, "Sisters who are working full time in ministries that directly serve the poor may be eligible to receive grants for materials, equipment and operating expenses. These grants typically have one-year terms and do not exceed USD $15,000."
The Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters is very tuned in to endeavors that provide a philanthropic outlet for retired and active Sisters who remain involved in service to the needy. Sister Vera Tilmann, Director of the WORD HASD program, says that "Dominican Associate Faith Nixon worked in collaboration with me and was very instrumental in obtaining the grant."
Others currently working with students at WORD HASD and also affiliated with the Dominican Sisters are Sisters Dorena Gonzalez, Kathi Sleziak, Monica Meyer, Patricia Kennedy, Olga Mizzi, Josine Schafer and Joan Pichette; and Dominican Associates Faith Nixon, Thale Varana and Jan Murphy. Sister Vera is also very grateful for the many volunteers who generously give of their time and talents. She says, "There are currently over 60 lay volunteers who presently work in the program."
The grant will be used for the purchase of new computers, instructional materials and healthy snacks for the students.
Other Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters who have received Conrad Hilton Grants in the past are: Sister Maria Goretti Beckman for Bay Area Women's Center in Bay City; Sisters Jean Kramer and Marguerite Cool for Partners in Parenting of Grand Rapids; and Sister Carmen Rostar for the WORD and ESL Program in Grand Rapids.
If you have an interest in working with this program, please visit the WORD Project Page of the Dominican Sisters website. there you can read about the details of the HASD program and get contact information if you wish to consider becoming a volunteer in the program.
submitted by: Rosemary Steers, Communication Specialist - Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids
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