Sister Carmen Community Center

Sister Carmen Community Center (SCCC) is a non-religious non-profit Family Resource Center. Our mission is to provide assistance to residents of Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, and Erie who are in need, without discrimination. We offer critical resources and supportive services to thousands of individuals and families each year, including: 

1. Nutrition & Healthy Living: our food bank offers nutritious food, baby items, pet food, hygiene products, and more. We have a community garden and on-site Mental Health Partners therapists. We offer free exercise classes, free bikes, nutrition and cooking classes, vision assistance, and mental health workshops.
2. Community & Family Education: we support families by offering free parenting classes and support groups, digital literacy classes, a leadership and civic engagement program, and quarterly Community Fun Nights.
3. Advocacy: our professional Advocates work one-on-one to provide Family Development Support so families have an opportunity to increase stability. We offer resource referral, financial assistance for housing, utilities, and other basic needs. We even have a program to help individuals go back to school so they may earn a living wage. 
4. Thrift Store: low-cost goods to all community members and free shopping vouchers for those in need of clothing and basic household goods.

Below are just a few examples of families we've helped these past few years:

Testimonials

From an anonymous participant to her Sister Carmen Advocate, Zoya. In addition to her work at Sister Carmen, Zoya also advocates for women and children in war-torn Sudan: "On behalf of myself as well as all the girls/women you help here as well as in Africa, THANK YOU just isn't enough but it's all I have. I feel very blessed and honored to have had you as my Advocate. May you continue to make a difference for so many. I can't wait to start eating REAL food again." 

This past summer Sister Carmen received a surprise visit from Elena and her eight-year-old who benefitted from our services in 2017 when her daughter was just an infant. Elena thoughtfully hand-delivered Palisade peaches around the building to the Sister Carmen staff. She emotionally expressed her gratitude for all that Sister Carmen did for her and her family. She wanted to show her daughter the place where she received help when she needed it the most. She shared with us that she now works with a nonprofit supporting immigrants, paying forward the kindness that was shown to her.

“It has been a blessing to have found this family not just because of the services they provide, but also because of the companionship and support they have given me. Carolina [Sister Carmen Advocate] has helped me manage all the struggles I have faced here,” - Claudia

"Good morning, I am not sure you can ever hear this enough, of how wonderful your organization has been during the Marshall Fire incident. I for one wanted to send my thanks again, we are slowly getting back on our feet. Your support initially and ongoing has helped us get through some difficult times. Everyday gets a bit better, and your organization always seems to be on top for lending support. We hope that once we get through this, we can pay it forward with interest. We have learned through this experience that people and organizations really want to help, and yours is on top of the list. Thank you again.... God Bless!" - Anonymous Marshall Fire Survivor 

“I know what it feels like to lose everything, and to feel utterly broken and alone. For someone to just lend a hand and say, ‘It’s going to be ok, and step-by-step, we’re in this with you’ has changed my world. And it’s not just affecting me, it’s affecting my former abuser, my kids, and the generations after me. Now my legacy, and my kids’ legacy, will be one of resiliency and triumph and making the world a better place.” - Meaghan

"Dear Brittany and the Advocate Team, thank you for your quick assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. Your financial support is helping my family during this critical time, which helps relieve stress and keep us hopeful that things will work out okay." - Elizabeth and Family

“Sister Carmen is my second home,” she shares. “It has always been a warm, welcoming, non-judgmental place where I could turn for help. It brought tranquility to my family in stressful times and gave me hope that everything would be okay.” - Lupita

"Thank you so much for helping me with food to feed my children. I work and I do not qualify for food stamps but I am barely able to pay my rent and bills. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate Sister Carmen. You have been a life saver for me."  - SCCC Food Bank Participant

“I really believe if you keep laughing and smiling, you’ll make it through. I find ways to be happy because this is it for me. Enjoy life! We don’t get a second chance. No one has a perfect life. We all have our troubles. We all cry. We all ask God why... I’ve had a good life--I still have a good life." - Sue