DePaul University professor Sister Frances Ryan, D.C., received the Alexian Award of Excellence in November for her unwavering support of Alexian Brothers’ future permanent housing site for homeless people living with HIV/AIDS on Chicago’s south side.

Sr. Ryan, who has been helping people with HIV/AIDS through Alexian Brothers’ Bonaventure House since 1989, was instrumental in securing a $150,000 donation from the Daughters of Charity’s Mission and Ministry for Alexian Brothers’ plans to convert a former convent on Chicago’s south side into 23 apartments to provide permanent housing for homeless people living with AIDS. Called Bettendorf Place after Brother Felix Bettendorf, founder of the Bonaventure House and a DePaul alumnus, the $4 million housing project will be located at St. Mary Magdalena parish at East 84th Street and South Saginaw Avenue.

The Alexian Award of Excellence is given to individuals or organizations which, in an outstanding way, helped the Alexian Brothers AIDS Ministry’s Bonaventure House in Chicago or The Harbor in Waukegan carry out the organization’s values of holism, dignity of person, compassion, care of the poor, and partnership. Also honored with the award was the St. Joseph Residence of the Daughters of Charity and its grant-making body, Mission and Ministry.

Sr. Ryan, who has been at DePaul since 1988, has been helping people living with AIDS at the Alexian Brothers’ Bonaventure House, a transitional housing facility for people with AIDS in Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood, since 1989. “It was at a time many in society did not want to come close to this mysterious disease,” said Sr. Ryan, a native of Chicago’s northwest side.

Bart Winters, chief executive officer of Alexian Brothers’ AIDS Ministry, lauded Sr. Ryan for her tireless efforts. “She has been a great champion of those we serve at the Bonaventure House. She’s really been instrumental in our efforts to help those with HIV/AIDS get the help they need in a supportive and loving environment.”

A professor of human services and counseling in DePaul’s School of Education, Sr. Ryan earned a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Loyola University of Chicago and an M.S.W. in social work from St. Louis University. She has published a book, “Classics of Western Spirituality: Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac – Rules, Writings and Conferences,” and authored several articles on Catholic studies and childcare.

The synergy between the Daughters of Charity and the Alexian Brothers’ Bonaventure House begins with their shared motto, “The charity of Jesus crucified urges us.” Both focus their charitable work on the poor.

Alexian Brothers, a congregation of religious brothers in health care, have cared for the sick, aged, poor and dying for almost 800 years.

The religious community of the Daughters of Charity began in Paris in 1633 caring for the sick and poor under the leadership of Louise de Marillac. Today, their mission has expanded to 94 countries, reaching out to those most in need with a spirit of respect and devotion and treating those they serve with dignity.