This article comes from our member congregation, the Sisters of Divine Providence in San Antonio, Texas.  It speaks of their involvement with a community organizing group in their area. 

The Congregation of Divine Providence of San Antonio is a member of the community organizing groups Communities Organized for Public Service (COPS) and Metro Alliance.  These groups are afflilated with the Industrial Areas Foundation, a national, faith-based organization.  The Sisters of Divine Providence are involved in the issues for which COPS/Metro advocate. There is a regular report given at the motherhouse to keep all members informed.

On Tuesday, April 28, Sisters Anita Brenek and Jane Ann Slater met with the Sisters at the Convent to inform them about the COPS/Metro initiative in San Antonio around the Coronavirus.  They reported on the four issues that COPS/Metro has been working on in preparation for the November 2020 election as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.  These include Housing, Education, Immigration and Environment.  Civic Academies, which are informational meetings for local residents, have continued with the goal of educating on these critical issues.  Even with the present reality of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the need to isolate and stay safe in place, all meetings have been conducted using Zoom or other electronic media.  It is definitely a new reality!

While the four issues continue to be the main focus of the organization, the main attention of the COPS/ Metro leaders has, of necessity, turned to the immediate needs that have emerged in San Antonio as a result of fallout from the virus.  Many of the lowest wage residents have lost their jobs as house and business cleaning staff, restaurant wait-staff and cooks, and other low-paid workers. Many of these individuals have Social Security numbers and pay taxes.  Others have tax ID numbers and also pay taxes.  However, the federal government CARES Act does not recognize tax ID numbers and thus, these workers are not eligible for any funds to cover rent, groceries, medicine, and other basic needs.  COPS/Metro has been working very hard with great success in advocating for all low-paid workers.  Their efforts and hard work paid off on Thursday, April 23, when the San Antonio City Council voted to create the $25 million Emergency Housing Assistance Program.  This program will help people regardless of citizenship status. The city had initially discussed $15.8 million, but COPS/Metro succeeded in securing an additional $9.2 million for the excluded group of workers.  COPS/Metro is now strategizing with the city on how to access these funds to eligible recipients.  Their efforts include getting landlords to accept rent payments from the city fund and not to charge late payment penalties.  COPS/Metro is also continuing its negotiations with the city to help decide how further federal funds will be allocated. 

All CDPs are engaged in supporting efforts to care for those among us who are most in need.  This is indeed a new time in our history, and we must do what we can to care for the present and future well-being of our brothers and sisters who are excluded and most in need.  This is the Gospel of Jesus, our Savior and the Christ.

The San Antonio Sisters are indeed the face of Providence during these challenging times.

Barbara McMullen, CDP