Empowering Women

EMPOWERMENT TO WOMEN  Missionary Sister of the Immaculate Concep­tion Eleanor Goekler (right) teaches English to women who come to the Neighborhood Center in Passaic.

PASSAIC  When the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women here marked National Volunteer Week last week, it gave them the opportunity to thank the many people that give with their whole hearts through their time and talents.

The Passaic Neighborhood Center, which is in heart of downtown Passaic, has been a place for women to meet, share and grow. Mostly, the center prides itself for being a place to empower women in the city.

Sister of Christian Charity Ann Marie Paul, director of the center, said, “We are ever so grateful to our volunteers for their hard work and dedication to the Passaic Neighbor­hood Center for Women. Truly, we cannot do this work of God without our volunteers.”

Through Partners in Faith, the diocesan capital and endowment campaign, the work at the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women is made possible through the generous pledges made by of thousands upon thousands of faithful in the Paterson Diocese. The campaign, in which pledges can be fulfilled through 2018, has also helped the poor served by diocesan Catholic Charities agencies, school children in diocesan schools, priests’ healthcare and the renovations at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson.

At the Neighborhood Center, Partners in Faith has played a vital role in supporting the center since its inception. “Without the start-up money from Partners in Faith, we wouldn’t have been able to begin this mission when we did back in 2013,” said Sister Ann Marie. “Partners in Faith allowed us to begin welcoming women and serve their needs.”

Since the Center opened in September 2013, 3,800 visits have been made by women participating in the various workshops and programs offered by the Center, which include English as a Second Language (ESL), computer instruction, quilting, art classes, ladies’ night and gardening. The center also works in partnership with some of the city’s organizations such as St. Mary’s General Hospital and nearby schools. With two employees on staff at the center, religious sisters and laypersons volunteer to teach or assist in these classes and workshops.

One of the newest classes at the Center is the crocheting class, which began last fall. From washcloths to scarves, the women have now learned how to crochet afghans. Donations of yarn are currently being accepted to continue the projects. The Center is also teaching the women how to sell their crocheted items online.

One of its most popular classes is English as a Second Language held several times a week. These classes have been popular because the city of Passaic has a high South American and Caribbean immigrant population. With a grant from the Sisters of Charity, the Center has been able to purchase Rosetta Stone programs, a learning language software, which has been helpful in aiding in the instruction of English.

Sister Ann Marie said, “We use the Rosetta Stone program to supplement the English classes our volunteers teach. We consider ourselves a ministry first and we are proud of our face-to-face connection we build with the women who come here. Our volunteers who teach English aren’t only teaching a new language to these women but also building a friendship with them.”

This face-to-face relationship has also been the way women have learned about the center. “We’ve posted flyers and informed parishes and local organizations in the city but it is women telling other women about the center and that’s how they come,” said Sister Ann Marie.

The Passaic Neighbor Center for Women, which is located in the former rectory of St. Nicholas Parish here, is a collaborative ministry between the Paterson Diocese and the religious communities in the Diocese following the call of Bishop Serratelli to find ways to empower the poor. The Center exists to provide a peaceful, safe, welcoming place for women of Passaic to express their needs and become connected to resources, programs, services as well as educational and personal growth opportunities.

Sister Ann Marie said, “We are always grateful to those who support the center whether it’s volunteering their time or supporting us financially. We know our program is needed. Thank you to Partners in Faith and the faithful who support it. In this Year of Mercy, they are truly performing the works of mercy. They really are feeding the hungry and thirsty and bringing instruction to those who need it. Those who support the center are assisting in the mission of the center, helping preserve the dignity of our women and strengthening their families.”

[Information: www.rcdop.org or contact Sister Ann Marie Paul at the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women, (973) 470-0844.]