Serving the Poor, Hungry, and Homeless

Sister Mary A. Maloney, S.F.P.   
Park Slope Christian Help, Inc., Brooklyn

As a Franciscan Sister of the Poor and native of Brooklyn, I returned to Brooklyn in 1985 after spending many years abroad.  I spent 10 years of my early religious life working in hospitals, in the Administration of Nursing Service and Nursing Education; then moved on to Brazil, South America, and Senegal, Africa for 14 years to minister with the poor/sick in the "bush villages." 

When I returned to the U.S.A., I felt called to serve the economically poor in Brooklyn and to further the development of a community social service center for our brothers and sisters who were poor, hungry, homeless, and in need.

This led to the creation of CHIPS — Park Slope Christian Help.  CHIPS was opened as a store front in 1972 by a handful of concerned individuals. After many years of volunteer service, and assistance from generous benefactors, we now own a four story brick building on 4th Avenue.  The credit for this success goes to our community — the churches, synagogues, schools, businesses, local merchants, and thousands of individuals/families and organizations who have contributed to CHIPS over the years.  I am thankful to the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor and the Board of Directors who assist with this ministry and offer leadership, encouragement, support, service and prayers.

Who are we today?  What is our charism?
Frances Schervier founded our congregation "to heal the wounds of Christ in poor, suffering humanity." 

We do it by:
1. Welcoming the poor and hungry and providing hot, nutritious meals in a safe, secure, and God-like environment.
2. Accepting and distributing seasonal clothes and emergency pantry items.
3. Providing a shelter (home) for young, single, homeless mothers — pregnant or with infants and toddlers.
4. Scheduling programs, referrals, classes, and individual and group meetings with mothers and their children.
5. Encouraging all to use their talents and gifts to their fullest, to become independent and exercise power over their lives.
6. Providing opportunities for volunteers, special education students, youth groups, senior aides, and schools to be of service to those in need.
7. Being a channel to accept donations, grants, and financial assistance from all who desire to support this ministry by giving indirect service to the poor.
8. Building a community among ourselves, our neighbors, volunteers, donors, merchants, business, agencies, and hospitals so that we can assist our brothers and sisters in need.

For more information, go to www.chipsonline.org. 

Thank you for being a part of this ministry.       
Sister Mary A. Maloney, S.F.P.                

PARK SLOPE CHRISTIAN HELP, INC. (CHIPS)
200 Fourth Ave.  Brooklyn, NY  11217 
Tel: (718) 237-2962 
Fax: (718) 855-4360