Kathy DiFiore, Founder & President Emerita of the Several Sources Shelters. In 1981 Kathy DiFiore took into her own home her first pregnant teenager. Since then over 34,000 babies have been helped through the efforts of Several Sources Shelters. At that time and until this very day the cornerstone of their work is the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, “Make me a channel of Your Peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is darkness, let me sow light; where there is sadness, let me bring joy.”

“Peace was difficult to find in 1984 when, after having housed young pregnant women free of charge in her own home, Kathy was fined $10,000 by the State of New Jersey for running an illegal boarding house. State Senator Gerald Cardinale sponsored a bill which was passed unanimously by the NJ senate and assembly exempting non-profit groups from the legislation. Her story appeared nationwide in newspapers and on numerous television news programs. Governor Kean’s Press Secretary received a call from a White House Official, “They wanted to let us know that they were going to publicly support her.” The David and Goliath story continued as Governor Kean informed Kathy that he was going to veto the bill. When final approval seemed impossible, Kathy was inspired to contact Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The Nobel Peace Prize Winner happened to be in New York to accept an award at the United Nations. Mother Teresa wrote a letter of support, which convinced the Governor to change his mind. The fine was removed and Kathy’s work became legal.”