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Sister Cathy Gorman
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Sister Ann Kendrick
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Sister Gail Grimes
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In the early 70’s, “With hearts as wide as the world,” Sisters Cathy Gorman, Gail Grimes and Ann Kendrick came to Apopka to
work with the poor and neglected. They are Roman Catholic Nuns who belong to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. They also belong to the poorest of the poor. For over thirty years they have made known the goodness of God through their love of the poor.
The Sisters say “We didn’t do anything by ourselves. People have come together to help themselves!”
They continue to say "We
ourselves have been transformed, receiving as we give,
and learning as we teach. Our world view, our faith,
our strategic planning have been a thirty seven year history
of collaboration and bridge building." This is how
community is built.

Some accomplishments:
They raised $1.2 million to help
build the Hope CommUnity Center.
They helped form Homes in Partnership which has moved thousands of families out of labor camps and into home ownership and rentals.
They opened a Community Trust Federal Credit Union for farmworkers to save and establish credit.
They created Pennies for Power which is a youth credit union designed to help children organize and save their money.
They created a Rural Law Center for basic legal services and education.
They created Community Health Centers which provide medical and dental care for thousands of the working poor.
They helped establish a farmworkers association.
They fought for better treatment of farmworkers and for better education for their children.
Awards and Recognition:
Opus
Prize of $100,000 was awarded in 2006.
Papal
award in 2005.
Honorary
Doctorates in Humane Studies were awarded by Rollins College
in 2005.
Amnesty International Peace Award 2002
Inspired to Serve by Mark Massé ( A collection of interviews of today’s faith activists including Sister Ann Kendrick. Masse’ examines how ordinary people who are doing extraordinary work balance their secular and spiritual lives in the face of a challenging world.
"She
Could Have Done Anything: Inspiring Women." GOOD
HOUSEKEEPING. September 2002.
Mexican
Counsel's Award for Services to Orlando Farmworker
Communities 1996
Ann
Vamper Helping Hands Award from National Federation of
Community Developed Credit Unions 1994
Orange
County Citizen's Award for Pennies for Power Youth Credit
Union 1993
Development of Peoples Award of the National Campaign for
Human Development 1990
Florida
Bar Foundation's Medal of Honor 1988
Catholic
Committee for Urban Ministry Award for Service to the Poor
1980
Learn more about them
below:
Sister Ann
Kendrick