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Our MissionThe Franciscan Family Apostolate was founded as response of the Secular Franciscan Order (S.F.O.) to the plight of the poor in the Third World. Following its founder, Saint Francis of Assisi, the poor Christ is found in the faces and lives of the poor and oppressed of the world. The Franciscan Family Apostolate’s mission is to encourage a witness to the Gospel life preached by Jesus – the care and concern for the stranger in need regardless of race, color, religion or country of origin. In 1987 the Franciscan Family Apostolate became an independent 501(c)3 charity upon receipt of its tax exempt status from the IRS with the following stated goals:
- To alleviate poverty, provide financial support and assistance to needy individuals and families in the Third World through outreach programs and related activities;
- To develop and implement similar outreach programs in the United States;
- Lastly, to develop and implement educational programs in Third World countries and in the United States to provide occupational training.
History
The FFA was founded in 1971 by Alan Ouimet, SFO. For the first 8 years, Alan worked with a parish priest in India whom he contacted through a mutual friend. The organization came to the attention of the, then, Msgr. Peter Chenaparampil who was forming a Bishop's Relief Fund in the Alleppey Diocese. It was at that time that Msgr. Peter asked the Canossian sisters to provide a member of their community to oversee the program in India, a post which they continue to fill today. When Msgr. Peter was elevated to Bishop of the diocese, the FFA moved forward with him. Today, Bishop Stephen Athipozhiyil continues to give his support to the activities of the FFA to relieve the distress of the poor in his diocese.
The Franciscan Family Apostolate presently assists over 1300 destitute families in the district of Alleppey, Kerala, South India with monthly food subsidies, housing, medical attention and self-development programs.
FAA Operating Funds
FAA USA is largely run through the volunteer efforts of many people. Funds are still needed to run the office in the USA. The office in India is run by a staff largely recruited from sponsored or formerly sponsored families. These staff members are paid a good living wage and receive health benefits, a rarity in India. The operating expenses for both these offices is covered by a small percentage of each donation we receive.
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