Research
In 2010, the Collaboration for Minsitry Initiative sponsored research on women religious in the Cleveland area at the Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development at Case Western Reserve University. The results and analysis from a survey of over 150 women religious in ministry were reported in Women Religious in a Changing Urban Landscape: The Work of Catholic Sisters in Metropolitan Cleveland and its executive summary, Briefly Stated.
Progress & Promise
The book, "Progress & Promise: Sisters Serving Northeast Ohio," celebrates the history, collaboration, and current ministries of women religious in Northeast Ohio. If you would like to order a copy, call Dave Kelly at 216-241-9300 or e-mail associate@socfcleveland.org. Donations of $10 per copy are suggested. Donations will support the ministries of women religious in Northeast Ohio. 
Our Focus Areas › Religious Communities

Religious Communities

For nearly 160 years, the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine  and other congregations of Catholic women religious have served America’s most vulnerable residents. Their ministries of health care, education and social service are significant, faith-based resources that strengthen a community’s capacity to help those most in need.
  
Over the last two centuries, there have been Sisters from over 130 religious orders who have served in Northeast Ohio, encompassing the eight counties in the Diocese of Cleveland and Youngstown. Though many of these congregations continue in other parts of the country, there continue to be Sisters serving in Northeast Ohio from over 28 religious orders. Also many of the health, education and social service organizations in our region were founded by women religious. See the organizations founded by Sisters.
 
The Sisters of Charity of Cleveland strengthens the ministries of women religious through its Saint Ann Legacy Program and Collaboration for Ministry Initiative. The Saint Ann Legacy Program awards grants for ministries of women religious in Northeast Ohio, which it defines as encompassing the Dioceses of Cleveland and Youngstown. The Collaboration for Ministry Initiative engages in networking, research, communications, and grants that promote collaboration among women religious and build awareness of their contributions in meeting human needs.
New Grant Opportunity
New and existing collaborations of women religious in Northeast Ohio (Dioceses of Cleveland and Youngstown) may apply for grants to support the planning or implementation of their collaborative ministry by February 6, 2012 for a potential award in March 2012. Proposals also will be accepted by  July 9, 2012 for potential awards in September 2012. Read the guidelines and proposal requirements and download the application. 
"Out of traditions of the past, we find meaning for the present and hope for the future, responding as our founding sisters did to the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs of God's people..."
-Sr. Mary Denis Maher, CSA, Ph.d.
Certified Archivist
 

Religious Communities Grants (Awarded 2011)

Collaboration for Ministry Initiative
Catholic Charities USA Alexandria, VA Human Trafficking of Children and Adults $19,500
Catholic Community Connection Cleveland Outreach to parishes for coordination of care & services initiative $18,650
Conference of Religious of Leadership Pepper Pike  Leadership for a new day $10,000
Conference of Religious of Leadership Pepper Pike Women with Spirit...Now Convocation $5,000
Light of Hearts Villa, Inc. Bedford Community Social Services: Component of Strategic Plan $15,000
Regina Health Center  Richfield  Pastoral Care Program & Capital Operating Equipment Support  $51,355
Sisters of Notre Dame, Christ the King Province Chardon Sisters of Notre Dame and Sisters of the Humility of Mary Joint Project: Parish Social Action Leaders and Women Religious Networking $10,000
Sisters of Notre Dame Christ the King Province Chardon Coalition with Young Adults (C-YA) $10,000
Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina Columbia, SC Support for 2011 Annual Seminar for Women Religious $20,000
The Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania Sylvania Hope & Resilience: The Catholic Sisters of New Orleans $20,000
Sisters of the Humility of Mary Rocky River Collaboration Initiative to End Human Trafficking $27,000
SAINT ANN LEGACY
Centering Space Lakewood Capacity Building $12,000
Community Re-Entry Cleveland Women's Re-Entry Network $15,000
Dominican Sisters of Peace/Crown Point Ecology Center Columbus Youth Programs $15,000
Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. Akron Opportunity House $15,000
Joseph's Home, Inc. Cleveland Capacity Building Program: House Manager $18,000
Franciscan Communities Inc., (Mount Alverna Village) Parma Leadership for a Sustainable Future $2,000
Sister Jerome's Schools, Millcreek Children's Center Youngstown Enhance Kindergarten Readiness $15,000
Sisters of Notre Dame, Christ the King Provinence Chardon Samaritan Women: A Collaboration of Sisters of Notre Dame and Ignatian Spirituality Network $8,000