Fifth Anniversary Luncheon

As promised, here are some photos from our fifth anniversary luncheon yesterday.  We are grateful to our women who provided the food and to our board and volunteers who attended the luncheon and provided gifts for our raffle.  A good time was had by all!

The food is prepared.

The gifts are prepared.

The food is served!

Sister Margaret, volunteer

Our women enjoy their lunch.

Sr. Eleanor, Sr. Margaret, Lucy and Marie -- faithful volunteers

Nancy, Beth and Mary -- wonderful supporters

The raffle begins!

Lovely prizes were provided by
our board and volunteers.

More prizes

Everyone received a parting gift.

The youngest in attendance -- one month old!

Sister Elaine and Sister Pat

 

The luncheon gave our women and volunteers time
to catch up with each other outside the classroom.

Happy with their prizes!

It's not over until the last floor is swept!

Today We Are FIVE!

Thank you to everyone who has brought us to our fifth anniversary.  In case you missed it, here is the article about our fifth anniversary that appeared in The Beacon, the newspaper of the Diocese of Paterson.

Today our women will celebrate by preparing and sharing food that is native to their culture.  We always have a good time when our women prepare a celebration!  

Since opening our doors on September 24, 2013, the Center has seen over 10,600 visits from the women of Passaic, who represent 13 different countries of origin.  We have had 47 volunteers, including 26 Sisters from seven different religious communities, eight women from local parishes and neighborhoods, and 13 college students.  We believe that the Center "works" because of the collaborative nature of this ministry.

At the Center, our women find a peaceful, safe and welcoming place to express their needs, to become connected to community resources to fulfill their needs, and to strengthen themselves and their families through educational growth.  Here, our women have learned English, both through face-to-face classes and Rosetta Stone software.  They have learned art, quilting, crocheting and knitting. They have fed their families with vegetables grown organically right here at the Center.  They have prayed, attended workshops and received other assistance.

We have received financial support from donations to the Partners in Faith Capital Campaign of the Diocese of Paterson, donations and grants from religious communities and parishes, grants from the County of Passaic, donations from individuals, schools, and parish and community groups, and so much help from the staff of the Paterson Diocesan Center!

We have distributed over 25,000 diapers, 30,000 baby wipes, and thousands of dollars of grocery gift cards, all received from donations.

As we begin the next five years, we say THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU!  We could not have done it without you!  

And, of course, because we know that God will not be outdone in generosity, we ask you to continue to support our mission in any way that you can.  Call us at (973) 470-0844 or email Sister Ann Marie at sam@patersondiocese.org to arrange for a donation.  We also take online donations on our website, ncwpassaic.org.

Stay tuned for pictures from today's celebration, a brand new video, and more!!

Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women
~Founded 2013~

Five Years: The Celebration Begins

We are grateful to everyone at The Beacon, the newspaper of the Diocese of Paterson, NJ, for this week's article on the fifth anniversary of the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women.  Please take a moment to read the article (available here) and share it with others.  This ministry thrives because of the collaboration of many people. We are so very grateful for the support!