DALLAS TWP. — The Dallas Knights of Columbus Father John O’Leary Council presented a check recently for $500 to the Ruth Matthews Bourger Women with Children Program at Misericordia University.
The funds will supplement the emergency fund and general operating budget for the novel WWC program that provides housing and support for academically qualified, single mothers at the poverty level and their children at three houses owned by Misericordia University.
The two-generational program is one of only eight of its kind in the country. It has the capacity for 16 mothers with up to three children each.
With the support of the university and surrounding community, the student mothers earn baccalaureate and/or master’s degrees while living on campus with their children.
Program graduates have gone on to continue their education in graduate school and law school, and in a wide range of careers, including nursing, education, communications, occupational therapy, social work, medical imaging, psychology, business administration and speech-language pathology.
The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. The Father John O’Leary Council has 141 members and supports a variety of initiatives in the Back Mountain area. Members raised the money for this donation though a Dunkin’ Donuts coffee promotion. Bill Leandri serves as grand knight.
