2023 Grant Recipients Selected

Continuing the Daughters of Wisdom mission to address injustice, especially as it impacts women, children, the marginalized, and the environment, the Wisdom Grant Fund Committee met over the summer to review and discuss their recommendations to the Leadership Council for selecting the 2023 Grant Recipients. 

Sr. Lucy Clynes, D.W., chair of the committee, said that after thorough research and discussion, the committee members came to a consensus on whom to recommend for the awards. The Council then made the final decision and informed the selected recipients by letter. "More sisters have gotten involved in recommending parish groups that align with the Daughters of Wisdom mission. And, what's exciting is that so many of them are foundational parishes or places of the Daughters of Wisdom," said Sr. Lucy. For example, Sr. Rosemarie Greco, DW, recommended Friendly Hands Food Pantry in Litchfield, Connecticut, and Sr. Jackie Ayotte, DW, recommended a parish outreach program, the Christian Life Center in Maine. All sisters residing at Huntington Station recommended SEPA Mujer, Inc. in Huntington Station, which supports immigrant women. Sr. Irene Arsenault, DW, endorsed Infant Jesus Food Pantry in Port Jefferson (a founding parish for the Daughters of Wisdom). Maryhaven, a school for special needs children, is another grant recipient in Port Jefferson that the Daughters of Wisdom also founded. Sr. Cathy Sheehan, DW, our Delegation Leader, also a nurse, endorsed RotaCare, which helps people who have fallen through the cracks to obtain the healthcare they need. Sr. Marie Chiodo, DW, endorsed the St. Camillus Peace, Justice, and Integrity of Creation in Silver Springs, Maryland, her home parish. Below is the complete list of 2023 grant recipients. 

  • St. Camillus Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Intercultural Committee, Silver Spring, MD

  • Infant Jesus Food Pantry, Port Jefferson, NY

  • Friendly Hands Food Bank, Torrington, CT

  • St. Gerard Majella Outreach Ministry, Port Jefferson Station, NY

  • Harmony Healthcare, Long Island, NY

  • Maryhaven, Port Jefferson, NY

  • Christian Life Center, Frenchville, ME

  • SEPA Mujer, Inc., Huntington Station, NY

  • Book Fairies, Freeport, NY

  • RotaCare, NY, Hempstead, NY

Sr. Lucy noted that the Wisdom Grant Fund awards up to $15,000 for up to two consecutive years of funding for collaborative ministries consistent with the mission of addressing injustice, violence, poverty, and oppression, especially among women and children. Grants will be awarded to each recipient in September, along with an evaluation form to be completed and returned. To be eligible, applicants must work in ministry with a Sister or have the endorsement of a Daughter of Wisdom. Congratulations to this year's recipients, and may God's blessing be upon you and all you serve.

 
Catherine McWilliams