The Rev. Robert Mize Jr. founded a ministry more than 70 years ago that he called “Saint Francis Boys’ Home.” Over the years, as that ministry grew and evolved, the name changed first to “The Saint Francis Academy” and then to “Saint Francis Community Services.” Today, Fr. Bob’s legacy ministers to much more than wayward boys. Saint Francis now serves more people in many more places, providing a host of programs and services to both boys and girls dealing with trauma, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, survivors of sex trafficking, refugees from violence and oppression, and marginalized families and children in central America. A new name was needed to reflect a new mission, and that name is “Saint Francis Ministries.”
“The term ‘community services’ no longer does justice to the vast array of support and resources we offer children and families in the United States and beyond,” said the Saint Francis Leadership Team. “Yes, we provide services to our communities, but we’re much more. We’re expanding our reach beyond Kansas and the other states we serve to include other parts of the U.S. and the world.”
The new brand features a new representation. The mark imagines the inclusiveness of a circle with a central dove, long associated with the ministry of Saint Francis. The dove is like an arrow, directing those in need to Saint Francis.
“Despite these changes in our name and trademark, our mission remains the same,” said the leadership team. “Our new brand, Saint Francis Ministries, conveys more clearly who we are today: an organization that does what needs to be done. We pray, then we get our hands dirty. We protect and nurture spirit, mind, and body. In doing so, we transform lives in ways some believe impossible. Fundamentally, our mission will always be to provide healing and hope to children; it is the essence of our soul as an organization.”
This story first appeared in the Fall 2018 issue of Hi-Lites. You can view past HiLites here.