Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton funds student service projects

Monday, May 01, 2017

Tags: Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton , Foundations

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Last fall, to commemorate its two decades of service to the community, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton offered a Developing Servant Leaders in Stark County competitive grant program. The program, which was open to all Stark County schools serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, offered grants up to $1,000 to plan and implement projects focused on the growth and well-being of people and the communities where they live.

Canton Montessori School received a grant for its Operation Warm Winter project. Under the direction of their teacher, Stephanie Liotti, students in first through fifth grades shopped for supplies and have been making blankets, hats and scarves for residents staying in the Refuge of Hope homeless shelter.

The project offered multiple benefits for both the students and the recipients of the items. Planning the project helped the children learn about the challenges in their community and how it's possible to make a difference. Buying supplies and making the items helped them apply math and money skills. And, the knitting, knotting and sewing helped them follow the Montessori Practical Life curriculum, which dictates that children should undertake tasks that help them become increasingly independent.

Most importantly to the foundation, their project exemplifies what a servant leader is: someone who focuses on the well-being of people and the communities where they live.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System.