Blessed are the poor.

About St. Bakhita Catholic Worker

The St. Bakhita Catholic Worker community has two goals.  First, we follow the example of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker movement, teaching and living every day the Beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount.  Second, in partnership with Franciscan Peacemakers Clare Community, we help provide supportive community housing for women who are survivors of sexual exploitation. Women making that transition benefit from the spiritual nourishment and community-building that are part of the Catholic Worker tradition.

We live by Catholic social teachings found in the Beatitudes; we provide housing and hospitality for women who are survivors of sexual exploitation; we support that transition by building a community of people of all ages and backgrounds who work together to deepen their understanding of Catholic social principles; and we bear witness to these social justice teachings through our work in the greater Milwaukee community.   We do this by our living witness and through offering opportunities for the laity of all ages to engage in prayer, liturgy and educational events. A rich prayer life is central to who we are and is offered voluntarily to the women with whom we journey. 

Our board of directors is responsible for setting goals and approving St. Bakhita’s programs, managing the financial affairs of the organization and overseeing the work of the program’s director.  The Executive Director lives at the facility and is responsible for leading and administering our education and community-building programs.  She is a passionate and experienced social justice advocate committed to the vision of the Catholic Worker mission with a proven commitment to the central city.  Volunteers are invited to join in the community!

Through our collaboration with the Franciscan Peacemakers, who are providing holistic support for the residents, we are able to help provide the safe housing and a supportive community needed to enhance successful healing.