Success Story: Ann Francioni

Anne Francioni, SSND is the Executive Director of Whole Kids Outreach, providing home-based and in-center health education, to more than 1,500 low-income mothers and their children in southeast Missouri.

Nine years ago, I was asked by the SSND leadership to go to southern Missouri to join the efforts of a small group of our Sisters in creating service responses to the enormous health and wellness needs of the isolated and poor families living in the heart of the Ozarks. Within two years of my arrival, I was asked to create a new organization that we named Whole Kids Outreach (WKO). The hope was to create structures and practices that would boldly witness a relational and culturally-sensitive model of intervention. WKO provides quality programs for families to learn to help themselves through supportive and loving relationships, focusing on health education.

My passion is to reduce the number of children who must bear the pain of abuse and neglect or who don't have adequate health care. Reaching that goal begins with education. I am driven to work at this vital mission by an unwavering belief that such efforts will make things better for future generations. My hope is to help free parents and children to move forward in their personal and spiritual journeys, thereby unleashing their imaginations and potential.

WKO is now serves in six rural counties, covering over 5000 square miles, which has presented challenges in forming a collaborative network and effective marketing strategies. The area is also economically depressed, necessitating state wide fund-raising efforts. But, the single most challenging barrier has been the local value system that must be simultaneously respected and encouraged to broaden to include healthier life choices.

The success of WKO is seen in the growth of trained staff infused with a passion for the mission; the many families who are now more able to navigate life successfully; and in the development of WKO Center's capacity to host programs and events. It now boldly stands out in the area as a witness to the potential of communities to heal themselves with the power that loving family systems provide.

Contact Anne:

Anne Francioni, SSND
Route 2 Box 302C
Ellington, MO 63638
Home: 573-663-7322
Work: 573-663-3257
Casassnd2@juno.com