ADROP - Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor

About ADROP

ADROP is about building bridges — bridges between people, communities, social service organizations, health care providers, politicians and others. At the heart we are about community, recognizing that we all play a role in society and journey together. By building bridges throughout a community — connecting individuals across economic, political and religious spectrums — we work toward a society that recognizes the dignity and respect owed to all persons.

We carry out that mission in three ways: to empower and collaborate with the poor and those without a voice in society by providing that match identified needs with known resources; to educate and support the decision makers, service providers and recipients of services, and to create opportunities for all to reflect and meditate upon the human condition and to develop the skills necessary to heal wounds and reconcile differences thus building up communities intent upon establishing justice and seeking peace.

Our History

In 401 AD, Saint Augustine urged the Council of Carthage to call on the Emperor to reestablish the office of defender of the rights of the poor. In this tradition, ADROP continues to work as defenders of the most vulnerable members of society.

ADROP was founded in 2004 by Jack Deegan, O.S.A. Fr. Deegan brought leaders, service providers, and volunteers together to assess the needs of the poor in South Philadelphia and began to match those needs with known resources. Since that time our 150 volunteers and leaders have affected the lives of over 1,000 families living in the South Philadelphia Area.

Poverty is rampant today and the gulf between the rich and the poor is widening. We, as Augustinians and laypeople, must make poverty the center of our ministry and devote a major portion of our time, talents and resources to fostering systemic change in the way poverty is addressed.

We must join with educational institutions, parish ministries, and other grassroots organizations to use their expertise to understand the causes of poverty and what can be done to effect real, sustainable change.

Collaboration

ADROP works in partnership with the following organizations, universities and people to serve the poor and advocate for justice in South Philadelphia:

The Augustinian Office of Peace & Justice

http://www.augustinian.org/jp.htm

Villanova University

http://www.villanova.edu

Saint Joseph’s University

http://www.sju.edu

University of Pennsylvania

http://www.upenn.edu

Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish

http://www.stnicksphila.com

National Shrine of St. Rita and Cascia Center

http://www.saintritashrine.org