Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan Charism, our mission is to provide the fundamental needs of mind, body, and spirit. We do this by offering free services and resources to south side Chicago residents so they can better themselves, their families, and strengthen our community.
Our organization’s mission is as important today as when Father Augustin “Gus” Milon, OFM created the Port Ministries in 1985. Our ministries, programs and services function in a holistic manner to uniquely identify and address the current needs of our community. The After-School Program, Bread Truck, Health Clinic, People’s School, and Arts Program work together to ensure we provide wrap around support for all who may need our services.
PROGRAMS AND DESCRIPTIONS
After-School Program: Four days a week, elementary and middle school students from our neighborhood can enroll. Young learners will receive tutoring, mentoring, homework help, and social activities. Our staff works closely with parents to provide education support that compliments the current educational goals of neighborhood schools.
Bread Truck: The Bread Truck drives to eight (8) different locations around the neighborhood to battle hunger by providing meals to under-served community members. Meals are donated to The Port Ministries from various parishes, partners, and corporations then distributed six days a week through the Bread Truck.
Health Clinic: As their primary health care facility, we have a responsibility to respond to our community’s cry for holistic care; intertwining physical need with the recognition of socioeconomic disability. Our Free Health Clinic’s goal is to address a patient’s short-term concerns while focusing on long-term solutions.
People’s School: A series of free workshops led by volunteers for the community. Workshops vary in subject matter, interest, need, and audience. They focus on producing tangible outcomes and develop positive relationships via a shared interest. The goal is to allow all who partake in a workshop an opportunity to acknowledge their individual importance.
Arts Program: In partnership with Mujeres Mutantes (MM), our mission comes to life visually. MM members hold art residency and manage our studio spaces, provide People’s School workshops, develop mission friendly art projects, and curate our gallery spaces. We hope to inspire and empower residents to develop their own artistic voice.
Service Immersion: Our Service Immersion seeks to expose retreatants to the beauty and challenges of life in Chicago’s southside communities. Through prayer, reflection, service, and visits to our partner organizations, we aim to provide the opportunity to broaden one’s awareness surrounding social justice concerns, and deepen one’s spirituality.
Hope House: Residents are volunteers that provide over twenty-hours of service to the organization per month. Residents are selected via an application and interview process. Selections are based on candidates experience, community diversity, and desire to actively participate in spiritual communal living.
OUR ORGANIZATION’S 2017 COMMUNITY IMPACT:
· Our Bread Truck provided over 120,000 meals to the hungry.
· Our People’s School provided over 45 free workshops to over 315 participants.
· Our After-School Program provided a safe learning space to over 60 students.
· Our Health Clinic provided free physical and mental healthcare to over 1200 patients.
· Our Arts Studios provided creative spaces to 7 visual artists who offered over 15 unique projects to community members.
· Our Hope House provided living space for 6 young professionals dedicated to serving our community.
· Our Service Immersion provided weeklong stays on campus with opportunities to serve and learn about our ministries to over 10 groups.
· Our organization provided over 4,000 volunteer opportunities to over 400 Volunteers who registered over 1,300 service hours.
