Dear beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,

For 2023, our Lent Project is Hope CommUnity Center. It was founded over 50 years ago when four Catholic nuns came to Apopka to serve the area's orange pickers and farm workers. Today it annually serves 16,000 individuals through Education, Youth & Family programs. Hope CommUnity Center - Hope CommUnity Center (hcc-offm.org)

Most of the youth in their programs do not have access to reliable transportation. Many have parents who work long hours and are not available to transport them to programs. Hope uses four vans ranging from 10 to 20 years old and the costs to maintain their safe operation are becoming prohibitive.

Sister Anne Kendrick and other members of Hope Community Center will speak at Nativity Catholic Church on Sunday, March 26. They will talk about how they help youth and families, work with immigrants, and provide immersion experiences for students.

Nativity has set itself the goal to raise $40,000 for a new 12-passenger van for Hope Community Center. In 2021, Nativity raised over $70,000 for Life Choices Medical Clinic in Altamonte Springs. In 2022, Nativity raised over $53,000 for Pathways to Care in Casselberry. We can do this!

Blessed Lent,
Father David