New Opportunity School for Women (NOSW):
Fran came to the New Opportunity School for Women in a deep depression having lost her job at a nursing home where she had worked for 20 years and having lost her mother, with whom she lived, a few years earlier. Living in poverty was her norm, and while she was a diligent worker, Fran experienced barriers to employment. Fran had several teeth missing and others that needed pulling. She looked disheveled and even many of the other women in her cohort and among our session staff thought that she could not read. Along the journey from eastern Kentucky, Fran was alert to the surroundings and as they drove into Berea, Fran commented, “I think I could live here.” Barbara, one of our House Sisters and a NOSW graduate had driven nearly three hours to bring Fran and was somewhat startled by her comment. During her two weeks in our program Fran was so grateful for and taken back by the smallest of things. The most astonishing change, at least for the rest of the group, was when Fran went to the beauty salon. No longer was Fran looking down and standing outside of the group, but her head was held high, and she looked you in the eyes. Fran had goals, but they were not to amass a lot of wealth or try to climb the corporate ladder. Her confidence grew and everyone could see the difference.
Barbara, the graduate who went to pick up Fran and drive her to Berea, also arrived at our program with her head down, extremely anxious and struggling with depression. Her ability to trust others was so guarded that she questioned Sister Robbie during those two weeks, “Why do you like me or at least pretend to like me?” Sister Robbie’s response took her back because it was honest, “Because you are funny.” Barbara too had faced many barriers, growing up in a very abusive home and becoming pregnant at 15. Leaving an abusive marriage, and later a 10-year relationship, her ability to trust was almost non-existent. She had been homeless shortly before she came to our program. She was able to get on disability and was working part-time when she arrived at NOSW, but gave up her pay for two weeks believing her life would change for the good. Barbara has met many of her goals, but if she won the lottery, she tells people she would build tiny houses for the homeless and set up a program where they could “own” those houses.
During the second week of our two-week program, Fran applied for a job at a local nursing home in Berea. What folks were surprised about, but I was not after talking with Fran about all kinds of things, was that she had her Certified Nursing Assistance (CNA). On the Thursday before graduation on Saturday, Fran interviewed and was hired on the spot. Two weeks after graduating from NOSW Fran returned and continues to excel. She waited until her insurance kicked in to get her teeth fixed as she did not want to ask for funds from our dental fund. She now wants to serve on our Board and help us fundraise. At graduation Fran showed us pictures of her when she arrived and a picture on the Friday before graduation — wow, what a transformation even for those of us who walked with her during those two weeks.
Barbara not only grew to know she was loved and began to trust some – she developed a special bond with Sister Robbie’s mother and was holding her hand as she breathed her last breath. In January 2022 Barbara paid off her mortgage (in only 6 years of scrimping and saving) and reached a goal far beyond her dreams.
It is with the spirit of prayer and hearts of compassion that the Sisters of St. Francis enter into ministry with people who live on the margins of society. As Franciscan Sisters we have the model of prayer and service – the Martha and Mary story through the example of St. Francis. We have come to believe that what we pray for will be heard and that we will receive an answer… not always the one we anticipate coming though and certainly not on our timeline. We have learned this from the people with whom we minister, like Fran and Barbara, whose reliance on God is beyond what most of here can imagine.
P.O. Box 100 Oldenburg, Indiana 47036-0100 812-934-2475
www.oldenburgfranciscans.org
www.facebook.com/oldenburgsisters
