Marian Middle School Announces Sr. Connie Probst, OSF, as Family Resource Advocate
October 2022 (St. Louis) – Marian Middle School is pleased to announce the appointment of Sr. Connie Probst of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Help (OSF) as Marian’s new Family Resource Advocate, which is part of the school’s innovative Care Team. In her role, Sr. Connie will provide students and families with access to services such as crisis intervention, housing, and transportation that help address acute, urgent needs.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sr. Connie, who comes to us from one of our founding communities, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Help,” said Mary Elizabeth Grimes, president of Marian. “She has a strong background as a social worker and a registered nurse and brings with her a deep understanding of the issues our families face.”
The Family Resource Advocate plays an important role on Marian’s Care Team, a group of professionals focused on the social, emotional, mental health, and urgent wrap-around service needs of each Marian Girl. Up to ninety percent of Marian students face poverty and travel from up to 30 zip codes to become a Marian Girl. They face traumatic experiences such as homelessness, unsafe housing, the loss of a parent from gun violence, and depression and thoughts of suicide. The pandemic has exponentially increased these inequities and challenges, and shined a light on mental health, especially in communities of color. According to the National Library of Medicine, less than 15% of children experiencing poverty and in need of mental health services receive support.
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