TIME Magazine Names S. Mary to 100 Most Influential
JUNE 3, 2009Statement from the Community of Project H.O.M.E. on the announcement that S. Mary Scullion Is One of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People”
The Project H.O.M.E. community is excited and honored at the news that our co-founder and Executive Director, Sister Mary Scullion, has been named to TIME Magazine’s list of “The 100 Most Influential People.”
This honor represents the tremendous work and power of so many persons and organizations, because of whose efforts Philadelphia continues to have one of the lowest rates of street homelessness in the nation. We are a proud part of a strong public/private partnership in Philadelphia, working with many excellent nonprofits and public officials. We have also been blessed over the years by the amazing and invaluable commitment and effort of countless persons ��" staff, volunteers, trustees, donors, supporters, advocates, friends, and especially Project H.O.M.E. co-founder Joan Dawson McConnon ��" all of whom have played a critical role in working to end homelessness and poverty. As William A. Harvey, Esq., Chair of Project H.O.M.E.’s Board of Trustees explains: "Mary Scullion and Project H.O.M.E. earned influence the hard way -- by working on the ground serving and advocating the interests of those most vulnerable among us. They use that influence in the best way -- opening minds, hearts and doors that have long been closed to the benefits of sharing our bounty." Sister Mary was nominated for this honor by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the New York Times bestseller Eat, Pray, Love.
This honor comes at a pivotal time in the national fight against homelessness and presents an opportunity for the establishment of a new national commitment towards ending homelessness in the United States. Currently we are working with allied organizations in asking Congress for the allocation of $2.2 billion this year in the Housing and Urban Development Department's McKinney-Vento grants to pay for 15,000 new supportive housing units. Furthermore, the honor comes in the wake of the release of the film The Soloist. Based on the best-selling memoir by former Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, Steve Lopez, the film brings international attention to the issues of homelessness and mental illness and the invaluable power of caring and friendship.
In Sister Mary’s words, “We have a tremendous opportunity for our society: to renew our concern for our citizens who are struggling with homelessness and to commit new action to bring about solutions. All of us have the power to influence. Now, more than ever, we need to use that power and energy to build a society where all citizens can flourish and contribute. We will continue to work hard to make that vision a reality.”
Though we have made significant strides in Philadelphia, there is still an urgent need for action to respond to the men, women and children who are still on our streets and in our shelters. This is not a time to retrench, but rather a time to move forward and finish the job of putting an end to homelessness. That is why we are continuing to advocate for as many as 5,000 units of permanent supportive housing to meet the needs here in Philadelphia. Last year, Mayor Michael Nutter committed 700 new units that would help us reach that goal; but the economic crisis and its impact on the City’s fiscal health has raised the possibility of budget cuts. Along with the Vote For Homes! coalition, we are lobbying City Council to resist budget cuts and make the commitment to help end homelessness.
While we celebrate the progress we have made, we recognize there is much work to be done in ending the tragedy of homelessness in this bountiful nation. We urge all persons who are concerned about these issues and who want to get involved to ADVOCATE, DONATE, and VOLUNTEER. Find an organization that does effective work in developing housing and services and offer financial support as well as your time and talent. Use your power as a citizen to insist that our government make a serious commitment to real solutions:
- At the federal level, we urge Americans to support the important policy agenda of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. (For more information, see www.naeh.org.)
- At the state level, we urge Pennsylvanians to urge their elected officials to commit to permanent supportive housing, possibly through the creation of a State Housing Trust Fund. (For more information, see www.housingalliancepa.org.)
- At the city level, we urge Philadelphians to support Mayor Nutter’s efforts to develop solutions to homelessness, and to contact City Council members and urge them to resist budget cuts for homeless programs and other services for vulnerable citizens. (For more information, see www.voteforhomes.org.)
Sister Mary also acknowledges her more important mentors in the ongoing struggle against homelessness: “Over the past thirty years, I have been inspired, motivated, and empowered by the lives of the men and women I have been privileged to work with. From their struggles with homelessness, poverty, mental illness, or addiction, they have taught me about human dignity, community, and courage. They continue to be the true heroes of the struggle against homelessness and for a truly compassionate and just society.”
Even at a time when millions of Americans are facing heightened economic struggles, this honor recognizes the importance of remembering and responding to those of our sisters and brothers who are the most economically vulnerable. Even in tough economic times, we believe that Americans can find a deeper spirit of compassion and community, and that they can reach out with a spirit of justice that knows that the same government that can spend billions of dollars on corporate bailouts must also invest in housing and services to end homelessness.
We thank all of you who have been a part of the Project H.O.M.E. community. We thank you for sharing the vision that we can make this a just and compassionate society for all our citizens. We invite you to join us in renewing our commitment to working to end homelessness.
Read the TIME Magazine article at http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1894410_1894289_1894282,00.html
Read our press release at http://www.projecthome.org/pdf/news/122.pdf
Read our factsheet on Philadelphia's approach to homelessness at http://www.projecthome.org/pdf/news/120.pdf
Read the philly.com coverage of this honor at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20090430_Scullion_among_Times_top_100.html
