This particular Sister of Divine Providence from Northern Kentucky is dedicated to creating hope for people in need.  

The work of Brighton Center in Northern Kentucky and the people she meets there hold a special place in the heart of Sr. Cindy Fehrenbach, a long-time volunteer for its Food Pantry and Clothing Closet ministries.

So when the number of people that the Center usually serves quadrupled not long after the start of the pandemic, Sr. Cindy “doubled down” on her shift hours and took on the additional responsibilities of training new volunteers and running the back-end of the Center’s food distribution.

On December 15, she was recognized by United Way of Greater Cincinnati, along with twelve other individuals, for improving the Northern Community in Kentucky.  

The “Do Good Award” is given to people who “help change lives, alter perceptions, and build awareness,” and whose “efforts and passion in going above and beyond help strengthen the communities where we live, work, and gather.”  United Way and Brighton Center cited Sr. Cindy for “always going above and beyond” to help Brighton customers “in whatever way she can.”

Always willing to jump in to help, Sr. Cindy has learned all the Center’s volunteer roles, and so has become as well the “go-to” person for any questions that a customer or another volunteer might ask.

“We couldn’t accomplish anything without the help of dedicated volunteers like Sr. Cindy,” says Madison Smith, the nominator of Brighton Center.

The Center helps people become self-sufficient by providing a wide range of programs and services, which include meeting basic needs, workforce development, affordable housing, financial education and neighborhood-based programs.  In a word, the Center is dedicated to creating hope–just like Sr. Cindy, another true Woman of Providence!

Not surprising to hear that this Sister of Providence, like so many others, goes above and beyond the call of ministry service for others.  In these days of the pandemic with so many of its challenges, it is great to have this Woman of Providence giving people hope!

Barbara McMullen, CDP