About Our Mission
“As they serve with the poor, rooted in the spirit of St. Francis and the mission of the Sisters of St. Francis, members are invited to accept the challenge of experiencing the power of God through relationships which empower the powerless, promote peace and transform the world around them. Members may seek their own spiritual growth in the milieu of a community that shares a simple Franciscan lifestyle”.

The Change a Heart: Franciscan Volunteer Program, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, is a young adult service program that mentors, supports and empowers young adults who devote one-year to serve with the poor in full-time ministry positions. Program members commit to “a year of service” through the shared core values of service to others, living in intentional community, exploring spirituality and choosing to live a simple lifestyle.

Each of our program members completes over 1,700 hours of service working directly with the poor and/or disadvantaged of all ages, including, but not limited to, homeless individuals, at risk youth, struggling families, drug/alcohol addicted individuals, mentally ill individuals, low-income individuals and individuals in need of medical care.

The Change a Heart Program offers young adults a unique opportunity to serve in the ministry of his or her choice where members grow personally, professionally and spiritually over the course of their service year as they make a positive impact in the lives of others.

In addition the Change a Heart: Franciscan Volunteer Program benefits the community by providing essential services to poor individuals, inspiring young adults, helping non-profits, fostering volunteerism, creating social capital and training new leaders.

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History
The Change a Heart: Franciscan Volunteer Program was created by the Sisters of St. Francis, Millvale in 1999 to attract young adults to leadership in the church and community and to challenge them to help empower those in need socially and economically.

Since its inception in 1999, 38 program members have joined the Change a Heart: Franciscan Volunteer Program and have ministered to more than 13,000 poor individuals in three different cities and at 19 different social service agencies.  Today, the program is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Support for the Change a Heart program comes from the Sisters of St. Francis, foundations, businesses and the generosity of many individuals.