Sister Christin Ann of the St. Agnes Sisters is a self-described activist in Washington DC and locally, a defender of human dignity. She has also dedicated herself to the transition house that their nonprofit Somos La Misma Familia (We Are One Family) runs, where no fees are charged for services that strive to promote healing for women who have served time for drug-related charges.
To help in their mission to improve wellness for both the body and mind, we decided to make a run to the local market – and to buy out most of the art supply section.
We provided the center with paints, brushes, canvas, and journals, so that women can practice different methods of expressing and empowering themselves in vibrant ways. Creating art is a way to re-imagine the future, to build bridges, to foster understanding and to work collaboratively, all things that help to promote peace.
What is Sister Christin Ann’s solution to making our border areas a great place to live? “We need to stress community, not violence.”
Meet Jilla!
Growing up as an immigrant in Minnesota, Jilla learned the value of community from an early age. Throughout her youth, Girl Scouts helped to ground her in that community, nurturing a strong love of where she lives and giving back to the people around her. As the Global Quality & Results Officer at Alight, she supports teams in using data in ways that showcase the humanity of the customer behind each data point. Fun fact, she earned the honor of representing her home locally and internationally as the 2018 St. Paul Winter Carnival Queen of the Snows. She even received a crown and resided over a real-life ice palace!
