Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC) serves refugees as they settle into their new communities. In Newport News, CCC provides newcomers with comprehensive support for up to 5 years after arrival, including assistance with finding employment, enrolling their children in school, and locating affordable health care in the area.

“With recent changes to SNAP and Medicaid, the refugee clients CCC serves are facing unprecedented challenges. Support from BFSF has ensured that we can continue to be there when they need us the most. Funding from the foundation supports continued access to care, education on options to maintain coverage, and expanded employment services to help clients find or advance in their jobs and support long-term financial security.”

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The Center for Child & Family Services provides compassionate counseling and support services to foster resilience, promote healing, and empower individuals and families to lead stronger, more fulfilling lives. The Foundation provided support for the Center’s Peaceful Choices Batterers Intervention Program.

“Through this partnership, we are better equipped to support families, strengthen our community, and advance our shared commitment to peace, healing, and lasting change. We are honored to be among this year’s grant recipients and sincerely appreciate the Foundation’s investment in this important work.”

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Dream Catchers enriches the lives of children, adults, and families through equine assisted services offering education, empowerment, healing, and hope.

“The Foundation’s generosity has especially bolstered our program for at-risk youth and provided the remaining funds needed to purchase a passenger van to ensure that transportation will never be a barrier for at-risk youth and others in need to access our equine assisted therapeutic services.  The Foundation’s grant will ultimately magnify Dream Catchers’ impact on our community through enriching the lives of children and families.” 

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Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia‘s Guardianship and Conservatorship program serves vulnerable adults who have been determined by the court to be incapacitated and have no one else able to assist them. As guardian of last resort, they provide oversight of critical decisions related to health, housing, and financial stability, ensuring each individual receives safe, person-centered care.

“The Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation has invested in CCEVA for a number of years in meaningful ways. This year, support for our Guardianship program will allow us to extend that same commitment of dignity and care to vulnerable adults, many of whom face significant mental health challenges, poverty, and risk of exploitation. With the Foundation’s partnership, we can continue to protect and serve those most in need across the Virginia Peninsula.”

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Youth Volunteers Corps of Hampton Roads engages youth (age 11-18) in meaningful volunteer opportunities that positively impact the lives of others.

“The Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation‘s generous support helps fund our evening and weekend service-learning projects, engaging 600–700 young people each year in meaningful, structured experiences across the Virginia Peninsula. With their investment, youth are showing up for their neighbors — preparing meals for the unhoused, beautifying schools, parks, and community spaces, and supporting individuals with disabilities — while discovering the best in themselves along the way. Thanks to BFSF, all of our programs are offered completely free to youth, ensuring every young person who has a heart for service, can serve. We are deeply grateful for BFSF’s partnership in forming compassionate young leaders and strengthening the community organizations that serve our most vulnerable neighbors.

FirstSpark provides education and resources to early childhood educators, along with connecting parents of young children with important information and resources. 

“Many thanks to the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation for their recent grant award, which will enable us to hire a Development officer. In addition to the grant, FirstSpark has benefitted from access to Catchafire for many years, assisting us with several projects we would not have been able to do on our own.”

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Communities In Schools of Hampton Roads (CISofHR) provides evidence-based integrated student supports through full-time Site Coordinators embedded in schools. These trusted professionals work in close partnership with school staff and families to address barriers to attendance, academic performance, and student well-being.

“With support from the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation, CISofHR is able to serve at least 100 elementary students through small group and individualized case management supports at Aberdeen and Katherine Johnson Elementary Schools.”

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HELP provides dignifying, empowering, and faith-based safety-net shelter, healthcare, and support to the most vulnerable people in our community.

“HELP is grateful for the many ways that the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation continually advocates for the excellent work being done by nonprofits throughout the Peninsula. The Foundation’s granting allows us to ensure that life-saving services are available for our homeless neighbors. And the Foundation’s work doesn’t stop at grant support–the investment in continuing education and training, relationship building, and advocacy for our causes on many different levels of the community makes the Foundation a true partner in our work.”

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Operation Breaking Through (OBT) works to make a positive impact in at-risk communities by providing essential resources and opportunities for the youth.

“During the last five years, the expansion and effectiveness of our programs have been limited and hindered by the size and condition of our current facilities at our main location of 1807 Jefferson Avenue…These grant funds partially defrayed the cost of the buildout and allows OBT to continue to plan for new programs like financial literacy training, career and job preparation and development and youth mentoring in a facility optimized to facilitate those programs.”

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Menchville House Ministries, Inc. provides a safe, stable place for families experiencing homelessness to regroup, rebuild, and move toward permanent housing.

“Support from the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation will be instrumental in
helping families take the final step out of homelessness. Their support for move-on
assistance allows parents to secure housing by covering critical barriers like security
deposits and initial rent, while their investment in children’s services ensures that our
youngest residents receive the stability, support, and care they need to thrive. Because
of this partnership, more families are not only exiting shelter, but doing so with
confidence, dignity, and a stronger foundation for long-term success.”

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The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation for their generous support of The Salvation Army of the Virginia Peninsula. Because of their grant, over 20 families will be able to remain in their homes, avoiding eviction and gaining the stability they need to move forward. In a time of rising need, this is more than assistance—this is hope in action. Thank you for helping us keep families housed, supported, and strengthened across the Virginia Peninsula.”