Improvements at The Ark and the Mount Thabor Convent are expected to last for years, thanks to a grant from The TND Family Foundation, which funded the following:

Three Dell laptop computers will provide early childhood educational activities to children as young as prekindergartners (ages 3 and up), serving as an introduction to a learning environment in a fun way. The programs can be accessed by touching the laptop keys. The facility’s Wi-Fi was upgraded, enabling the laptops to operate at a dining room table, in a bedroom or outdoors.

Preschoolers at least 3 years old will start school in August wearing new pull-ups, clothes and shoes. The purchase of a front-loading Speed Queen washer and dryer large enough to clean and dry comforters ensures the children will have clean apparel at school or anywhere else.

Prior to this grant, the Missionary Sisters of Jesus, Mary and Joseph sometimes had to wait a long time before someone would be available to open the Mount Thabor Convent Community Room’s windows installed in 1980. It was difficult for senior citizens or those with physical limitations to open them.

Many sisters will benefit from the six replaced windows that now easily open and close. They’re better emotionally because they’re no longer frustrated by unsuccessful attempts to open the windows. They’re more confident after being able to open the windows. Morale has improved, even for a sister with deformed fingers who can now open a window. Allowing fresh air into the room also improves health conditions and reduces energy use.

Much gratitude goes out to The TND Family Foundation for its benevolence.