What is Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity?
Hundreds of thousands
of people have asked that same question countless times over the
years. But, as is the case with most often-asked questions, the
answer is not a simple one. And, the information on these pages
is only a partial answer. The whole story of the Homes of Charity
is one of more than 100 years of devotion and service to those
who cannot help themselves. It is a story of babies, children,
and young people in need, and it is a story of people helped and
helping.
The Homes of Charity were founded in 1882 when Father Nelson Baker revolutionized fundraising by writing to Catholic women across the country, asking them to support his work with abandoned/orphaned children. By founding the Association of Our Lady of Victory in 1882, Father Baker breathed life into a new concept -- direct-mail fundraising -- and, at the same time, saved his mission of compassion from certain doom. Throughout his life, the generosity of donors helped Father Baker construct his immense "City of Charity." Projects such as the OLV Infant Home, OLV Hospital and the wondrous OLV Basilica simply could not have been built without these helping hands.
And today, that mission is no less important. The OLV Homes of Charity serves as a foundation for the life-saving programs at Baker Victory Services (BVS), programs that assist 3,500 children each year! Funds raised through the Homes provide much-needed deficit funding for BVS, allowing the agency to stay afloat. Without the thousands of generous donors throughout the world, the children and youths in our care, simply, would go without.
Devotion to
Our Lady: Supporting
a Legacy of Caring
Throughout time,
countless individuals, in expressing their gratitude for spiritual
victories, have bestowed upon Mary the title of Our Lady of Victory.
Today, many people dedicate their prayers and good works to Mary
under this title. And each year, thousands of generous people
actively participate in the devotions and support the important
work being done here at the Homes of Charity.
The financial and spiritual support provided to the children and families in care at BVS by the Homes is possible because of the generosity of good people throughout the world. Many people, inspired and touched by Our Lady, and wishing to honor her, contribute to support these charitable works.
