White Violet Center: Looking Forward
Nourishing the spirit, body and mind.
Wow! Thirty years! Depending on where you are in this life, 30 years can mean different things. To a 5-year-old, that’s ancient, but ask an 80-year-old and they’ll say that you’re just getting started. It’s amazing to think that White Violet Center for Eco-Justice (WVC), a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, is celebrating this pivotal anniversary. So, what’s next?
Forging Ahead
First and foremost, our goal is to grow food in an ethical and sustainable way so that we can continue to feed people in our community. Our team is honored to not only provide Certified Organic produce and fresh eggs for people shopping at our farmers market booth and farm store, but also each year to deliver thousands of pounds of nourishing, healthy food for distribution by our local food banks.
This recently expanded effort, initially funded by a USDA grant that is no longer available, is now made possible through the generosity of our supporters. To say we are grateful is an understatement. Feeding the underserved truly feels like privilege and we hope to be able to do this for many years to come.
An Educational Tool
The WVC team is also deeply committed to providing education through outreach, programs, workshops and field trips. Each year, we welcome individuals, schools, churches, college groups, volunteers and organizations to experience White Violet Center for Eco-Justice.
We tell the story of why the Sisters of Providence started this ministry in 1996 and the important role we all play in caring for all creation and being good stewards of the home that God has provided. We also get to take this message outside our walls by attending community events where we often bring our “Ambassadors of Sustainability,” aka our alpaca friends. We find that people are much more open to learning when they are in the presence of 150 pounds of fluffy cuteness.
And we can’t forget about our farm intern program, which is at the heart of our teaching ministry. Through the years, as times change, we anticipate that it also will continue to evolve. But one thing that won’t change is that at the end of their tenure, interns will carry forward their experiences and knowledge from their time with us. What a joy it is to know we have made an impact that reaches different parts of the country, if not the world.
Sharing Ideas, Resources
This summer, the Sisters of Providence approved the 2026-31 General Chapter Vision Statement, which reads, “We will co-create a world where every person’s dignity is honored and the sacredness of all creation is upheld.”
WVC, which is now under the umbrella of the Ministry of the Woods initiative, which includes Providence Spirituality & Conference Center, will work to share ideas and resources as we further develop.
Our vision statement for Ministry of the Woods says it best: “Rooted in the values of love, mercy and justice, Ministry of the Woods cultivates meaningful connections to nourish and enlighten individuals by offering experiences that are engaging, relevant and inspirational.”
Moving forward, WVC will continue to align with both of these visions and be a space for all those seeking inspiration and guidance to connect with each other and our home, planet Earth.
Originally published in the Fall 2026 issue of HOPE magazine.
