By Alisha Proffitt • Photos Provided by The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and House of Ruth
Reflecting on this month’s theme of philanthropy, some of the most inspiring figures in our community are those who dedicate their lives to helping others and uplifting those in need. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have long committed to this mission, and one Sister in particular, Julie Driscoll, exemplifies that spirit. Her work with The House of Ruth continues to resonate throughout Louisville and beyond, demonstrating the lasting impact of advocacy and the courage to stand beside those in need, even when the odds seem insurmountable.
Her spiritual journey and desire to be of service to others began early with family and expanded while attending Catholic schools where Sisters of Charity of Nazareth provided her educational foundation. Inspired by Mother Lucille Russel and her fellow Sisters, “She was truly a remarkable human being. Just the way she treated everyone with kindness.” Sister Julie said of Mother Lucille Russell. “There are Catholic sisters all over the country that do really amazing work, and I learned from them too.” After high school, she entered the Congregation, embarking on a mission that would take her across the U.S. and around the world to Venezuela, Belize, India, Botswana, and beyond.
Her career has spanned multiple roles, including teacher, principal, director of religious education, pastoral associate, and executive director of the House of Ruth. Her time serving in Venezuela’s barrios in 1974 was transformative, broadening her awareness of the realities of systemic poverty and oppression. “I always gained from the amazing resilience of those who don’t have enough, who live the edge and they make it, but barely. They always teach you. Our spiritual guide said, ‘The poor are your masters’, and what he meant was they teach you so much, and I think that’s very true.” This experience fueled her passion for social justice, leading her to co-found the Central America solidarity efforts in Louisville and establish a sister-parish relationship in Nicaragua that has lasted over 30 years.
Her work with the House of Ruth, supporting those suffering from HIV/AIDS, was a profound experience that brought together her skills in education, pastoral care, and advocacy. Much has changed since the incorporation of the House of Ruth in 1992, founded by Sharan Benton, Anne Bindner, Liz Bindner, Elizabeth Blandford SCN, Sharon Cook- House of Ruth’s first Executive Director, Sharon Gray SCN, Rebecca Miles SCN, and Marilyn Spink SCN to assist women and children in the community who had been affected by HIV/AIDS. “They really went out on a limb, they got called just about everything because that’s where people were,” explained Sister Julie. House of Ruth has now expanded assistance beyond women and children and provides assistance to members of our community from all walks of life. These services include emergency and family service, short and long-term housing, and emergency shelter, as well as many other resources specifically catered to individuals and their personal needs.
Working to educate the community and support those with HIV/AIDS was no small feat, especially in the 1980s and 1990s when misinformation and bigotry ran rampant. At the time, most people didn’t understand the virus, and there was little public interest in learning or helping those affected. “That came at a time when I had met with leprosy patients in India, and people with HIV were treated the same way here. And today people think it has gone away, well it hasn’t. It’s gone off the headlines.” she says. This lack of awareness left HIV-positive individuals ostracized, condemned, and living in silent fear of their diagnosis, with minimal or no support. The stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS created barriers that advocates like Sister Julie Driscoll worked tirelessly to dismantle. “A phrase I cannot stand is ‘those people’. Every human being has special worth.” she says.
“They didn’t have a clue at the time I was working with it. I mean, even nurses, for example, didn’t at times.” says Sister Julie “I would ask true or false ‘there is a high-risk group for HIV’ and almost all of them said true, and I said ‘No, you have to change one word there, there are high-risk behaviors.’ But see, people had in their heads because of the news and all, from people that didn’t know, that there were high-risk groups.”
It is the educational and advocacy work of Sister Julie and many more that has paved the way for The House of Ruth to grow into what it is today. Since its first year serving eight families, House of Ruth has grown significantly, supporting over 600 individuals by 2020. With the rising demand, the organization expanded its operations. In 1998, they received the St. Matthew United Church of Christ property, which became their new office space after renovations in 2000. In 2001, House of Ruth took ownership of Glade House, a shelter in Old Louisville, and four condominiums for HIV-positive individuals. Today, they own 17 housing units and partner with Louisville Metro to provide rental subsidies for 25 additional households and work to continue to build homes for their elderly HIV-positive clients. On October 14, the House of Ruth will be celebrating the groundbreaking of Red Key Landing. The Groundbreaking Celebration will include brief remarks from House of Ruth’s Director, Lisa Sutton, and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. This project, on-site at House of Ruth’s existing property in the Shelby Park neighborhood, is the largest in the nonprofit’s 32-year history in Louisville. When complete, the construction project will include a brand new, three-story, 40-unit apartment community for families and individuals living with AIDS/HIV who are currently houseless or at-risk for houselessness as well as an on-site food pantry and adjoining maintenance facility renovated staff offices.
Sister Julie is now retired from her position at House of Ruth, but continues to support their mission. Today she continues her life work of service through social justice, “In recent years the issues of peace and justice have been primary for me” she says.
When asked what she would say to someone who would like to get involved with helping those in our community who are in need she replied “There are many possibilities in direct service here in Louisville that include Sister Visitor, St. Vincent Depaul, Catholic Charities, House of Ruth, St. John Center, Volunteers of America- it goes on an on and I think most people get involved in the direct needs of others, food kitchen or giving out clothes, and then you really feel the needs of others, and then you hope to go from that to advocacy, I think.” She says it starts with direct service, “A person starts there, and sees the great need and then wants to -with others, make laws or change laws that hurt the poor. And thats advocacy.”
For information on how to donate or volunteer with House of Ruth visit houseofruth.net
For information about Sisters of Charity of Nazareth visit nazareth.org
Exterior plans for House of Ruth’s Red Key Landing, a 40-unit housing facility
planned to help some of Louisville’s most vulnerable population.
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