Daughters of Wisdom, USA Province

The Daughters of Wisdom have awarded a $15,000 Wisdom Fund Grant to Maryhaven in Port Jefferson, NY, to help expand the reach of its Food Pantry Program. The mission of Maryhaven is to enrich the lives of people with special needs through support with compassion in its residential, day habilitation, and vocational services while promoting individuality and integration.

The grant was endorsed by Sr. Cathy Sheehan, D.W., Delegation Leader, who wrote in her letter of recommendation, "Maryhaven, founded by the Daughters of Wisdom, has been serving the Long Island community for the past 94 years. This grant is targeted toward helping people on Long Island who struggle with food insecurity through Maryhaven's Food Pantry Program. This is a true example of people helping people." She added, "This program addresses the need by working with Maryhaven client volunteers, which in turn increases self-esteem by facilitating their contributions. It also works in conjunction with local food hubs, independent farms, growers, and retail markets. Mayhaven's own hydroponic garden program is an innovative and helpful resource, too."

Expanding the Reach of Maryhaven's Food Pantry

The Food Pantry at Maryhaven provides food to some individuals who attend programs but do not reside there, staff in need, and people from the local community. The pantry receives its food from contributions from other Maryhaven staff. Each month, they prepare about 50 bags of nonperishable food. They deliver the food with the help of individuals attending their Program Without Walls. This program strives to increase the independence of the developmentally disabled person to engage in community opportunities that promote dignity, relationships, and service.

The Wisdom Fund Grant will allow all existing Programs Without Walls participants to expand their volunteer work in Maryhaven's Food Pantry to reach more hungry people, as the number of people suffering from food insecurity has risen on Long Island. Specifically, the grant will allow program participants, in conjunction with food pantry staff, to work with local food hubs to access fresh food through independent farms, growers, and retail markets, including Maryhaven's hydroponic garden program, and increase the distribution of food to people with disabilities in a socially acceptable way.

"Through the generosity of the Daughters of Wisdom's grant, we will be able to buy food that promotes a healthy lifestyle and increase nutrition while decreasing hunger," said Sr. Cathy Smith, O.P., who ministers in Pastoral Care at Maryhaven. She added, "The grant money will also allow Maryhaven to enrich the lives of the individuals in the Program Without Walls as they create a garden to grow vegetables to distribute to the needy. We will also reach out and visit the senior sisters who reside at the Sound Beach Convent. We are so grateful for this generous help in our service to those in need. Maryhaven was begun by the Daughters of Wisdom, and we are grateful for their vision and mission which continues to guide us each day."

History of Maryhaven

Maryhaven was founded by the Daughters of Wisdom nearly a century ago. On July 20, 1929, the Right Reverend Thomas E Molloy blessed and dedicated the Wharton Memorial Institute. The building was constructed with funds specifically bequeathed by William J. Wharton to establish an Institute that would provide services for children with special needs. On September 12, 1929, the Sisters moved into their new home and began caring for forty disabled children. By 1961, the school had been renamed Maryhaven to better identify the work of the Sisters and staff in a school setting. Today, the work begun by the founding Sisters has been passed on to a new generation of well-trained caregivers who continue to provide its caring programs through a network of facilities across Long Island.

Daughters of Wisdom Award $15,000 Grant to Maryhaven