Sister Mary Scullion has been a tireless advocate for men, women and children who are homeless since 1975. She was recently honored by Time magazine as one of the World’s Most Influential People in 2009 for her work with Project H.O.M.E in Philadelphia. In an interview with the HRC, Sister Mary shares her reflections and inspirations.

Sister Mary Scullion was recently named by Time Magazine as one of the World’s 100 Most Influential People in 2009 for her work to empower adults, children and families to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

Sister Mary began her work as an advocate for people who are homeless in 1975. She explains that when she and co-founder Joan Dawson McConnon started Project H.O.M.E. (Housing, Opportunities for Employment, Medical Care, Education) in Philadelphia in 1989, they learned that when people were given meaningful choices, they made great decisions for themselves.

“When people came in, we saw that they needed more than shelter. They needed housing, opportunities to learn to work, and access to quality healthcare. Each time we took a step forward, it raised more questions. The journey home continues in new and deeper ways every year.”

Project H.O.M.E. provides a continuum of care including street outreach, and a range of supportive housing and comprehensive services. The organization was recently featured in SAMHSA’s DVD series, Transformation Through Partnerships: Systems Change To End Chronic Homelessness. The series presents the real-world stories of two cities as they implement strategic planning to coordinate services and collaborate with other organizations.

Sister Mary views the experience of working with others as a path to personal change and growth that involves listening and believing that other people have a great deal to offer.

“What has really influenced me is being able to listen to the people that I am committed to working with and creating meaningful opportunities for them to be successful. We are all changed when this happens.”

Sister Mary challenges us to make a radical shift in our perception of people who are experiencing homelessness.
“Homeless men, women and children are a prophetic presence among us.  They show us that something is very wrong in our society, and send a clear message about what needs to change if our society is to become more humane and just,” explains Sister Mary.

She offers that homelessness is a message to our society that something is radically wrong. “When you pass a person that is living on the street, you can no longer say, there but for the grace of God go I. When we see a person who is sleeping on the streets, rather we must say, there go I.”

It is this belief that guides Sister Mary’s capacity to lead with compassion and to show others the path towards transformative leadership.

“None of us are home until all of us are home. Their strength to get up each and every day gives us the inspiration and determination to continue.”

Sister Mary asks us to find it in ourselves to seek and uphold human dignity, and to refuse to walk by someone who is sleeping on the streets. What kind of response does this require of us? While the action may be different for each person, the question remains for every single one of us.

Her advice to other programs?

Sister Mary sees leadership emerging through the quality and transformative power of relationships. “It is very important to build relationships both within your organization and externally. Through those relationships you will be strengthened, nurtured and challenged to grow in ways that you never thought possible. One plus one equals a lot more than two.”

She finds it encouraging and heartwarming to think about all of the relationships with allies, mentors and other organizations that have been so instrumental in providing both opportunities and technical assistance.

“I think that around the country there are so many incredible organizations that are committed to empowering people with mental health disabilities and substance use issues, who are committed to tearing down the walls of discrimination. The power and the grace I have seen in so many groups around the country give me the inspiration and strength to continue. The journey we are on is such an important one and there is so much we can learn, grow and develop. The consumer movement is one of the most powerful forces that we have in our country.”

Order the Transformation Through Partnerships Systems Change to End Chronic Homelessness DVD by clicking here.

Click here to visit the Project H.O.M.E website.

Click here to read the Time magazine profile of Sister Mary.