Hi,

Many of you know that I am at St. Bonaventure University as the Director of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern. When someone asks me what I do, my short answer is, "engaging the campus community in service and outreach and looking at the experience with a Franciscan lens." 

This short answer doesn't really do justice to all that happens in our outreach ministries. The Warming House is what we believe to be the oldest student run soup kitchen in the country. Each day, our students and communtiy members gather at 164 N. Union Street to prepare a meal and share it with those who come through the door. A few weeks ago, the Warming House leadership team met and talked about the guests that have taught them about transformation, perseverence, joy and grit. It was a humbling conversation! It inspires me to think that our students are learning from those living on the margins of our society. 

Other outreach ministries are Bona Buddies (the largest youth mentoring program in Cattaraugus County) and Bona Scouts, Silver Wolves and a new opportunity - Friends with Sisters. FwS offers relationship building between women religious and college students. Each week, SBU students go to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, across the road from campus to visit and learn from women who ran hospitals, missions and schools. Other ways SBU students engage with the larger community are: SBU@the SPCA, Break the Bubble and the new on campus SBU Food Pantry.

At St. Bonaventure, not only do we want to offer a quality education and prepare our students to make a difference in the world, but it is also our goal to offer our students transformational experiences. When they leave the SBU campus, we want them to walk across the stage with a diploma as well as the confidence and understanding that they are a beacon of hope and light in the classrooms and boardrooms, offices and communities where they will work and live. 

Please consider a gift to the FCSC. I can promise you your gift will be used well, to care for the poor and marginalized in the Olean area and to teach our students to live Franciscan values each day. 

I also ask you to pray for the work we do. We would not be able to do what we do without the prayers and support of so many.

Peace and good,

Alice Miller Nation