Our Four Pillars of Faith in Action
In a world often divided by differences, the St. Joseph Fund (SJF) works to be a unifier, guided by the wisdom of Catholic Social Teachings (CST) and a commitment to serve all without distinction. At the heart of our mission are four pillars that channel resources to where love can truly make a difference:
- Advancing Equity
- Uplifting and Centering Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and other disinvested and under-resourced communities
- Addressing systemic challenges for upstream opportunities
- Building community power
These pillars are more than organizational guidelines. They are an expression of faith in action, deeply rooted in CST. Our commitment to advancing equity aligns with author Fred Kammer, SJ, JD, who wrote, “If the systems are not working, then our faith response has to be structural as well as personal. We must do justice as well as charity.” This call to action inspires SJF to look beyond immediate relief and work towards long-term, sustainable change.
Father Kammer also says, “Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design.” This powerful statement, Catholic Social Teachings and Racism, underscores our commitment to uplifting and centering Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and other disinvested and under-resourced communities.
Racial inequities are deeply embedded in every system, affecting life outcomes across all groups and regions. We lead with race, recognizing that systems that fail communities of color ultimately fail us all. By acknowledging how racial disparities intersect with other dimensions of identity, we strive to create more just and resilient communities through a holistic, inclusive approach.
Pope John Paul’s teaching, which emphasizes “not only the individual conscience but also the political, legal, and economic structures through which policy is determined and issues are adjudicated,” further reinforces the need to focus on addressing systemic change. This holistic approach acknowledges that true transformation requires addressing both personal and structural aspects of society.
SJF’s community power-building work aligns with the understanding that social structures can either uplift or oppress. The article Catholic Social Teachings and Social Structures states, “Sinful social structures… dehumanize individuals and groups, devalue human life, break up families, alienate races, escalate violence, and spread poverty. Graced social structures instead promote life, enhance human dignity, encourage the development of community, and reinforce caring behaviors.” By centering on our healing-centered capacity building work, SJF aims to foster these “graced social structures” that promote human flourishing and community power building.
These four tenets are the pillars of our initiatives. From disaster response and resilience programs to educational initiatives, community healing, and power-building efforts, SJF’s work is a testament to the transformative power of love in action. By centering the experiences and wisdom of those most impacted by injustice, SJF ensures that its efforts are not just well-intentioned but genuinely impactful.
As the grantmaking foundation of Providence, we understand that faith is not passive but an active force for good in the world. Building on Providence’s mission, “As expressions of God’s healing love, witnessed through the ministry of Jesus, we are steadfast in serving all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable,” we honor our Catholic foundation and extend compassion and solidarity to all, regardless of faith or background. Because when we are rooted in love, there is no limit to the positive change we can create in our communities and beyond.
