Hermano Pedro Social Works Foundation USA seeks to improve the health and well-being of those in need through our partnership with our parent organization, Obras Sociales del Santo Hermano Pedro, Guatemala. Through medical and surgical assistance, prevention programs, and care of orphaned and abandoned children and adults, Obras Sociales relieves suffering, restores health, and saves lives. The Hermano Pedro Social Works Foundation USA, with offices in New York, has supported the Franciscan friars and volunteers from around the world in this charitable work in Guatemala since 2001.
In the late 1990’s, U.S. citizens volunteering at Obras Sociales recognized the need to facilitate donations from US citizens and to encourage support of the facility in the United States. In response, they formed the Hermano Pedro Foundation USA, approved as a 501©3 US non-profit in 2001 as the US fundraising arm. Founding members were Joe Lucciola, Joe Wiatt, Carolyn Thompson and Franciscan priest, Fr. José Contrán, the director of Obras at the time.
The mission of the Hermano Pedro Social Work Foundation USA is to support the charitable work of the Franciscan friars, OFM in their benevolent mission of providing compassionate love and care for the people of Guatemala providing permanent housing for the disabled and abandoned, child care for working mothers, counseling and treatment for alcohol and drug addiction, and medical, surgical and dental services.
Through the generous support the Franciscan Mission Associates in New York, who oversees administration and finance at no cost, the US Foundation is able to direct all donations made in the United States directly to Obras Sociales Del Santo Hermano Pedro in Antigua, Guatemala.
The US Foundation strives to emulate the core values held by Obras Sociales Del Santo Hermano Pedro: love of our brothers and sisters, humility, and authenticity. The US Foundation wholeheartedly supports their work to transforms lives by applying the gospel to serve the poor, the sick and the helpless as they serve without distinction or prejudice, providing dignified housing and health services of the highest quality in the manner of Saint Brother Pedro, with mercy and tenderness of the Franciscan spirit.
