Together for each other- as St. Francis did it!

 The Poverello Foundation came into being on the initiative of the Franciscans. St. Francis of Assisi's fellowmen and historians called him Poverello, which means "poor creature" in Italian. One of the main goals of St. Francis was to live the evangelistic life of poor and share the faith of the indigent:" We have to be glad to be among the needy and despicable, witless and poor, sick, lepers and wretched beggars" (the unrecognized Canon 9.2). He considered it substantial as "Even Our Lord became poor for us in this world" (recognized Canon 6.3).

The ideal of the "Poverello of Assisi" has inspired many for more than eight centuries. The main reason for this lays in the liturgy of his Transitus, as "the poor and humble Francisco enters heaven rich." According to the evangelistic interpretation this means that his attitude towards wealth was not to collect for himself but to "enrich toward God" (Luke 12. 21).

 Believers and non believers know by experience very well that the good deeds are the basis of the human fulfilment and happiness. Only those can achieve self-accomplishment who can turn to others as well. There is no "I" without "you". If I cannot make others happy I cannot be happy either. It takes quite an effort to recognize and accept this way, but without stepping on this path one cannot reach his aim.

 Together for each other- for the man!

 The Poverello Foundation counts on those who want to follow the path of happiness by helping others, as they know it does not come from the outside, but the issues of inside make them happy- the love of a warm heart.

We claim it is our firm conviction; there is no such man who could not give something to others. There is no such man without the hidden sparkle of goodness and love in his heart. - It is there in your heart too!

 Together for each other, as we can do it!

 Each man has skills, talents, gifts. As we contemplate on life we find out that it was all given as a present, because we were not asked about anything prior to our birth. An isolated flower by itself cannot make a garden. Only flowers of different kind together can create a beautiful sight.

 Together for each other, as we have something to share!

 When we help people in need, actually, we give away from the received gifts. There is no man who would not be able to help the other in some way, since there are as many needs as many people. We can express our charitable love not only by the means of material things, money. Love is ingenious. We shall mention only a few fields where you may express yourself.

You can assist by:

• Giving away material possessions - owing to our given competences we are capable of producing material goods, and you want to share it with others,
• Giving away time - because you have free time to encourage, listen to and visit others,
• Donating your work - if you are a craftsman, a tradesman or have your own transportation vehicle and you want to help according to your abilities, you can do it, as there is always something to repair or carry ( to the place and time of your convenience).
• Donating used but still usable goods: perhaps furniture, kitchen accessories, leftovers of building materials ( bricks, electric and piping pieces, of however small quantity they are), abandoned field, ranch, building etc. which you would leave to people in need.
• Offering your abilities - if you own the gift of a good organizer, or have experience in any field of Poverello aims and you want to use it in aiding others. You could be the coordinator of the local group.
• Advising others - if you want to share your rich life experience with others.
• Relieving bodily and misery sufferings - if you are a doctor, a nurse or a social worker, you can help a lot to ease the pains of the sufferers.       
• Offering manual labour - if you are in good health and you want to express your gratitude for that by helping others (you decide about it, when and how).
• Dedicating a prayer - if you join the Poverello Prayer group and you pray regularly for the fulfilment of the aims of the Foundation.

 Together for each other! Step by step!

 It may sound like a phrase but you can find a universal truth in it. A single flower is not a garden yet, but it can become a wonderful one! One sand grain does not make a beach, but many do! You cannot build a house of a single brick, but with many, a palace!

• Lets act together: You can provide "the flower, "the sand grain"; "the brick" and we can coordinate the collection of the donations and use it according to our aims. Alone, we cannot do anything great but together we will make miracles! We believe in it!   
• You can control the miracle as we operate publicly.

 Together for each other - The open- handed, loving heart offers help

 The aims of the Poverello Foundation, according to its Statute:

 The organization funds and finances:

• The training and the engagement of persons in offering medical care in aiding sick and elderly persons, the victims of war and natural disasters, physically and mentally traumatized persons, drug and alcohol addicts, etc.
• The organization of courses and seminars for offering social services, in the form of providing clothing, food and humanitarian aid.
• The foundation and support of social care homes and institutions.
• The organization of lectures, seminars and courses for training persons, groups, movements and  institutions interested in ecumenical work.
• The organization of courses and seminars dealing with the Franciscan movement in order to deepen and bring forward the Franciscan spirituality, with a special focus on the universal brotherhood of men, peace among groups and  nations, peace of the individual, and the preservation of the created world.
• The publication of TV, video, audio and internet material dealing with humanitarian activities, ecumenical projects, Franciscan ideas and environmental issues.
• The training of interested persons at seminars and courses who are engaged in environmental problems according to the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi, and the promotion of involvement in the environment protection movements.
• The joining of young people into the Foundation in order to accomplish its aims according to its Statute.
• Cooperation and establishing connections with similar foreign organizations.

 We always count on your volunteer work, suggestions and support. Everybody is equally important for us, both the supported and the supporter.

 The Poverello Advisory Board's priorities for 2004/ 2005 are the following:

• The presentation of the Foundation (we will be very glad to visit your place to outline our plans. Contact us, to discuss the details!)
• The organization of local groups (if you wish to become the coordinator, please, contact us!)
• The establishment of the drug addicts healing community.
• The collection of individual donations and the distribution of it to the underprivileged according to the aims of the Foundation.

 Together for each other - we do not expect miracles- as we know, there is no greater miracle than the generous donating love. We should not anticipate it, we should realize it!

 Together for each other - in modesty, plainness, solidarity - as "the poor creature" did it for the poor.