ABOUT US

The DePaul Hope Social Center is a registered Non-profit Organization both in the United States of America, on 13 November, 2013 and Nigeria, in May, 2015. It was established by Rev. Fr. Jacob Ugwoke CM, at DePaul Kenmore Residence Chicago, United States of America and owned by the Vincentian Province of Nigeria. The organization’s programmes focus on widow empowerment through counseling, microloans, legal referral, computer skill acquisition, seminars and widows’ forum, and education of the children of widows. Our empowerment programmes currently provide widows with vocational training, while our educational programs offer scholarships and educational support to the children of widows all across Nigeria. The organization also supports widows, who have lost their husbands to HIV/AIDS and provides women, in general, with free medical care and aid.

HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION

In 2014, after the completion of his masters in Social Work at DePaul University, Chicago, Rev. Fr. Jacob Ugwoke, CM started thinking of what he would do at home in Nigeria as a Vincentian, in order to impact on the life of his people back at home. He applied for a one year internship to enable him conduct a research on this. He did his training with The Coalition of African, Arab, Asian, European and Latino Immigrants of Illinois (CAAAELII) Organization and was mentored by Dale Asis, the Director of CAAELI Organization and with his assistance, organized a fundraiser at Vincentian Kenmore House Chicago. Some of those who attended the fundraiser were, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Idagbo (representing the provincial superior of the Vincentians in Nigeria), Dale Asis, the Director of CAAELI Organization, Rotary Club of Chicago Far North, the president of DePaul University Chicago, members of WAWA Association Chicago branch and their cultural dancers. With the money realized from the launching, Fr. Jacob came back home and started the organization in Nigeria in 2015. On a Sunday, in March, 2015 an announcement was made at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish about the commencement of the new organization called DePaul Hope Social Center; five widows showed up and with this number the organization took off its operation with only Fr. Jacob piloting its affair and Mrs. Sussan Ozioko, later, joining the organization in 2015, with Knight Sylvester Ike as its adviser and Mrs. Chiawa Uchenna joining the staff in February, 2016. Today DePaul Hope Social Centre has 360 clients.

FOUNDERS OF THE ORGANIZATION

The Director, Rev. Fr. Jacob Ugwoke, CM

Rev. Fr. Jacob Ugwoke, CM, is both a Catholic Priest of the Congregation of the Mission (The Vincentian Missionaries) and a social worker from DePaul University Chicago. Illinois, USA. He began his studies in Lagos State, South-West, Nigeria. He Studied philosophy and Theology at Urban University Rome, where he obtained Bachelors’ in Philosophy (B.Phil.) and Bachelors’ in Theology, (B.D) respectively. He is the founder of DePaul Hope Social Centre and has engaged in several advocacy activities whilst in the United States. Fr. Jacob wants to continue this work in Nigeria as well. Hence, he decided to align himself on the rights of widows and on their empowerment. He is very passionate about working to alleviate the suffering of the poor, children’s education and issues bordering on social justice as a whole.

On a Sunday in March, 2015 an announcement was made at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish about the commencement of the new organization called DePaul Hope Social Center five widows showed up and with this number the organization took off its operation with only Fr. Jacob piloting its affair and Mrs. Sussan Ozioko later joined the organization in 2015 with Knight Sylvester Ike as its adviser and Mrs. Chiawa Uchenna staff in February, 2016. Today DePaul Hope Social Centre has 360 members. Rev. Fr. Jacob Ugwoke, CM is both a Catholic Priest of the Congregation of the Mission (The Vincentian Missionaries) and a social worker from DePaul University Chicago. Illinois, USA. He began his studies in Lagos State South West Nigeria. He Studied philosophy and Theology at Urban University Rome, where he obtained Bachelors’ in Philosophy (B.Phil.) and Bachelors’ in Theology, (B.D) respectively. He is the founder of DePaul Hope Social Centre and has engaged in several advocacy activities while in the United States. Fr. wants to continue this work in Nigeria as well. Hence, he decided to align himself on the rights of widows and on their empowerment. He is very passionate about working to alleviate the suffering of the poor, children education and issues bordering on social justice as a whole.

Dale Asis, United States of America

Dale Asis has dedicated over 25 years in social justice, philanthropy, and environmental issues. Currently, he is the Finance & Development Director of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO), a US non-profit organization, dedicated to local environmental justice. Dale also is the founder and President of the Bayanihan Foundation Worldwide, a US registered public charity dedicated to promoting Filipino Diaspora philanthropy Worldwide. He also co-founded two coalitions: The Coalition of African, Arab, Asian, European and Latino Immigrants of Illinois (CAAAELII) and United Congress of Community and Religious Organizations (United Congress). He earned his Master of Arts Programme in Social Sciences (MAPSS) degree at the University of Chicago and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is also an adjunct professor at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, IL.

UNITED STATES BOARD MEMBERS

Leon Ward, United States

Leon Ward got his BA from the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania, a Jesuit University. He graduated in 1965 with a major in French language and literature. His MA was from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a university operated by the Holy Ghost Fathers. He graduated in 1968 with a major in French language and literature and with an MBA from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, a university operated by the Christian Brothers. He graduated in 1994 with a major in Finance and an Illinois Teaching Certificate in French from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. Leon worked as an Insurance underwriter from 1967 to 2007, but retired in 2007. He also worked in both domestic and international insurance having traveled to many countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and lived for 18 months from1998-99 in Trieste, Italy on an oversea assignment. Other companies included Aetna, CNA and CIGNA.

He is identifying with DePaul Hope Social Center because of its mission to help poor widows. He was introduced to this organization by its director, Fr. Jacob Ugwoke, when he was completing advanced studies at DePaul University in Chicago. Leon identifies with the poor in general, because the most important person in human history, the Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, spoke to all of us when He walked the earth about feeding and clothing the poor and helping the less unfortunate in any ways He can. He was introduced to DePaul Hope Social Center in 2014. As for hobbies, he has been fairly inactive lately except for doing crossword puzzles every day. He is involved with his Catholic parish in Chicago, proving priests for a Mass held at a location, a distance from the parish property for the elderly. He also holds a prayer and discussion group on behalf of his parish at his home during Lent.

Barrister Ifeanyichukwu Clement Mogbana

Barrister Ifeanyi Mogbana studied at University of Nigeria Nsukka (2004), Nigerian Law School (2005), and DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois (2013). He is based in the United States of America and a member of the diaspora board of DePaul Hope Social Center, Chicago, Illinois. He is one of the foundational members and has been a lawyer since 2005. He has worked with Diamond Bank (Nig.) Plc, 2007-2010, and City of Rockford, Illinois-2014 till present. According to Barrister Ifeanyi, he chose to identify with the DePaul Hope Social Centre because of its services to the widows, who are a vulnerable and often neglected segment of the population. He has been with the organization since the beginning of the organization. His hobbies include reading and traveling. His dream is that, the DePaul Hope Social Centre becomes a sustaining resource centre in improving the lives of those it serves.

Chuka Onugu

Chuka studied in Harvard University, and John F. Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge. He has his Master in Public Administration in May, 2019 at The Wharton School, University Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and also Master in Business Administration; and Majors in Finance and Entrepreneurial Management, May, 2018. He also attended University of Toronto, Canada and has a Bachelor in Applied Science, Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2007-2012. He has a Certificate in Entrepreneurship | Engineering Faculty Ambassador | National Society of Black Engineers, VP – Finance Professional Experience Barclays, New York, NY Investment Banking Summer Associate, Financial Institutions Group, 06/17-08/17. Prepared bid materials for private equity insurance buy-side, M&A, including business valuation and deal structure. He constructed valuation models, prepared pitch books and produced marketing materials as part of a team that won a mandate from a Canadian FinTech company to advice on a $700M acquisition. He received among others the award for 2015 Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) MBA Fellow. Chuka resides in Boston United states of America. In 2014, he joined the board of DePaul Hope Social Center, in Illinois Chicago. His hobbies, among others, are Ping Pong, Soccer etc.

MORE NIGERIAN BOARD MEMBERS

Very Rev. Fr. Cyril Nnamdi Mbata C,M

Very Rev. Fr. Cyril Nnamdi Mbata CM is the present provincial Superior of the Nigerian province and was elected the provincial Superior of the Nigerian province in 2015. He was ordained a Catholic priest on the 23rd of September 1989. He attended Bigard Memorial Seminary Ikot Ekpene where he did his degree in philosophical studies and had his theological studies at Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu. He later left the country and pursued a program in formation at All Hallows College, Dublin Ireland. He has engaged in Parish Ministry in both Dublin and Nigeria. He is the chairman of the board of DePaul Hope Social Center, Enugu, Nigeria.

Ozioko Sussan

Mrs. Sussan did her secondary education at St. John of God Secondary school, Awka from 1974 to 1980. She had 35 years working experience in the civil service and retired in 2015. Mrs. Sussan is married with children. She joined our organization in 2015 as Program Coordinator.

Mrs. Roseline Uchenna Chiawa

Mrs. Uchenna Chiawa attended Girls Secondary School, Ngbagbu-owa , Ezeagu from 1988 to 1993 and Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu between 1993 and 1998. She attended Integrated Logical System, Port Harcourt from 1999 to 2000 and University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus from 2005 to 2006 and National teachers Institute, Kaduna between 2010 to 2011. She did her youth service training at Ohia Mini Community Bank Limited, Diobu, Port Harcourt, as account management trainee from 1999 to 2000. She worked with Lindan Engineering Limited as account trainee, November, 2001 to December, 2002, Global Network Resources, Limited as sales/admin/account officer, January, 2003 to January 2009. Afribank Plc, as headmistress 2009 to 2010 and Timber shade branch, Enugu as a save agent, Top kids Home Day Care Nursery and primary school, July, 2012 to March, 2014. Our Lady of Lourdes Nursery / Primary School, Maryland, as assistant headmistress from 23rd March, 2014 to 31st January, 2017. Mrs. Roseline joined our organization as a credit officer in 2017. She is married with children.

Lady Felicia Nwodo

Lady Nwodo Felicia Chinyelu resides at Ugwuaji road, Maryland, Enugu and married. She got her first degree-Bachelor in Agriculture (Agric Econs) at University of Nigeria, Nsukka and presently, working on her second degree at Enugu State University of Science and Technology. She is the Principal Research Officer at the National Council for Arts and Culture, Enugu Zonal Directorate. She is a lady Knight of the Catholic Church and has great passion for the poor and the marginalized group of our population. She joined the organization as the seminar coordinator in 2015. Lady Nwodo Felicia is a strong supporter of DePaul Hope Social Centre, Enugu.