Joliet, Ill. – The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate and the University of St. Francis (USF) were recently presented with the 2022 Hope of Bethany Award from Bethany House of Hospitality for their support of a Bethany House resident with four years of tuition, room and board at USF. The award was presented at the 5th anniversary celebration of Bethany House of Hospitality at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Oakbrook, Ill., on Sunday, October 23.
“We all know that it takes a village to raise a child. Those receiving the Hope of Bethany Award have also proven it takes both a sponsoring religious community and a university to provide a four-year college education! The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate (Joliet Franciscans) and the University of St. Francis gifted one of Bethany House’s young women with just that— a four-year college education,” said Sr. Joyce Shanabarger, OSF, Bethany House of Hospitality board member.
Accepting the award at the event were Sr. Jeanne Bessette, OSF, president of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate; Sr. Dolores Zemont, OSF, founding member of Bethany House; Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., USF president; and Sr. Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF, vice president of for mission integration at USF.
About Bethany House of Hospitality
Since its opening on October 2017, Bethany House has welcomed more than 72 women and 22 small children. They come from 18 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South and Central America. The average length of stay is 10 months. Most arrived in this country as unaccompanied children seeking asylum. They have ‘aged out’ of the children’s detention centers. Most take ESL, GED or high school classes. Several women at Bethany House have been helped to attend local colleges.
Visit http://bethanyhouseofhospitality.com/ for more information.
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