SISTER JANICE VANDERNECK
Ten years ago, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden saw an opportunity to support one of their own, Sister Janice Vanderneck. For many years, Sister Janice has devoted herself to helping newly arrived Latinos survive and thrive in The Steel City. Her knowledge, determination, and kindness has helped countless Latinos receive healthcare, social services, and legal system support.
To continue and broaden Sister Janice’s work, her fellow sisters opened a resource center for Latino immigrants in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood in 2013.
Called Casa San José, or the House of St. Joseph, the center embraces inclusion, dignity, and respect as its leadership team and board members continue to welcome and support Latino immigrants.
The independent, nonprofit center serves as a support base where Latino immigrants can learn English, use social services — especially programs for children, youth, and families — and feel a sense of welcome and belonging in a city that owes much of its success to immigrants from around the world.
Case San José’s programs are many and varied and include community and civic engagement for Latino youth, emergency housing services, structured summer camp, mental health support, health and wellness initiatives, an afterschool program, and more. The goal of each offering is to strengthen Latino immigrants’ connections to their community by educating, integrating, listening, and caring for them and their families.
Learn how you can lend your support to Casa San José. Visit casasanjose.org.
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