The Ursuline Sisters of the Eastern Province have formed a partnership with UNANIMA International where the focus is to
“create a world where Women and Children who live in extreme poverty will be empowered to achieve a better quality of life.”
Some of the UNANIMA International’s current programs are:
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Family Homelessness / Displacement and Trauma
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Refugees and Migrants
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Women and Children
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Human Rights
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Environment
Their ongoing programs include:
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Human Trafficking
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Indigenous Issues
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Water
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Financing for Sustainable Development
Each of these global concerns are issues which the Ursuline Sisters have been tasked with solving by our the Roman Chapter of the Ursuline Union.
How are we Ursulines helping locally?
The Ursuline Sisters have engaged with some of these issues locally through our Serviam Project. Years ago some of our Ursuline visionaries knew there would be a need for affordable homes in the Bronx where we lived and started a school. Tasked with a project to serve our community and to find a solution to the homelessness issues so prevalent in our community we rose to the challenge that coincided with our mission.
Serviam Housing is a four-phase housing project in the community of Bedford Park in the Bronx. The property, originally owned by the Ursuline Sisters, is located in this community where we have a significant presence since starting the Academy of Mount St. Ursula in 1855. The housing is built on portions of their 10-acre property that also encompasses the Academy. Consistent with our “Serviam” motto (which means “I will serve”) the Sisters remain committed to the community and their student population by partnering with an organization that also is committed to the public we serve. Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation (FBHC) maintains the priority of offering affordable housing and “green” spaces throughout this multi-phase Serviam Project which is in its final phase. See more about Serviam.
You can help us with these initiatives by donating today.