Skip to main content

Why is Jeanne Jugan Residence Unique?

Jeanne Jugan Residence is in the heart of Pawtucket, conveniently located off interstate I-95.

Jeanne Jugan Residence offers a continuum of care in a home-like, non-institutional setting.

The Home takes a spiritual approach to aging – exemplified by the central location of the chapel, the presence of a full-time chaplain, daily Mass and rosary and regular availability of the sacraments, including the Sacrament of the Sick.

A staff of professional men and women support the Residents’ needs with attentive care.

Jeanne Jugan Residence provides a continuum of care:

  • 27 apartments for independent living. Although each apartment has kitchen facilities, apartment Residents are welcome to enjoy home-style meals in our main dining room.
  • 26 assisted living units.
  • 44 skilled care nursing units.

Features that make a difference:

  • Bedrooms in assisted living and skilled nursing are single occupancy with private bathrooms
  • Full-service dining facilities
  • Daily activities and pleasure outings
  • Sunrooms on each floor and outdoor garden
  • Billiard room
  • Library
  • Gift shop
  • Country Store for sundries
  • Hair Salon
  • Coffee shop
  • Daily Mass and rosary in our chapel
  • Comprehensive and quality care
  • Occupational and physical therapy
  • Social services and rehabilitation
  • Dietary services and prescribed therapeutic diets
  • Medical, dental, and eye care on site
  • On-going assessments of Residents’ needs

Families, loved ones, and friends of Residents are always welcome to visit at the discretion of the Resident; the Home does not enforce restrictive visiting hours.

The Little Sisters of the Poor live in the Home and are available to the Residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Little Sisters assure a constant presence with each Resident as they leave this earthly life for their eternal life in heaven.

The History of Our Work in Rhode Island

Estate of General James on Slocum Street in Providence, RI

In March 1881, five Little Sisters traveled from France to work and open a home for the elderly of Rhode Island. Like their foundress, Jeanne Jugan, their only resources were sincere hearts, willing spirits, and an empty begging basket.

They lived for two years at the General James Estate on Slocum Street in Providence.

The Little Sisters moved to Pawtucket in 1883 to reside at the Holy Trinity Home, which was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Banigan to the Sisters. They remained there until 1979.

After four years of planning and construction, the Little Sisters moved into their current Home in 1979, the Jeanne Jugan Residence for the Elderly Poor.

Holy Trinity Home in Pawtucket, RI

The facility was later expanded to include 27 independent living apartments in the early 1980s.

Our Home is a testament to the faith of Our Foundress, Saint Jeanne Jugan, when she stated, “Give us the house – if God fills it, God will not abandon it!”

Mission, Vision and Values

The Little Sisters of the Poor are an international congregation of Roman Catholic women religious founded in 1839 by Saint Jeanne Jugan. The Little Sisters of the Poor serve the elderly poor in over 30 countries around the world with a diverse network of collaborators.

The Little Sisters of the Poor are continuing the work of Saint Jeanne Jugan, our foundress.

The MISSION of the Little Sisters of the Poor is to offer the neediest elderly of every race and religion a home where they will be welcomed as Christ, cared for as family and accompanied with dignity until God calls them to himself.

The VISION of the Little Sisters of the Poor is to contribute to the Culture of Life by nurturing communities where each person is valued, the solidarity of the human family and the wisdom of age are celebrated, and the compassionate love of Christ is shared with all.

The VALUES of the Little Sisters include:

  • REVERENCE for the sacredness of human life and for the uniqueness of each person, especially those who are poorest and/or weakest. The commitment to reverence is reflected in care that is holistic and person-centered.
  • FAMILY SPIRIT offering joyful hospitality embracing all with open arms, hearts and minds; fostering participation in the life of the Home and rejecting all forms of discrimination.
  • HUMBLE SERVICE to raise others up and to put their needs before our own; an appreciation of simple, everyday tasks and experiences and humble means of accomplishing our work.
  • COMPASSION for sharing the weaknesses and sufferings of others; eagerness to relieve pain in all its forms and to make the elderly happy.
  • STEWARDSHIP that recognizes that life and all other goods are gifts from God and should be used responsibly for the good of all; trust in God’s Providence and the generosity of others to provide for our needs; just compensation for our collaborators; a spirit of gratitude and sharing.

Philosophy of Loving Care

The Little Sisters of the Poor care for the elderly poor in the spirit of humble service that we have received from our foundress, Saint Jeanne Jugan. The Little Sisters welcome the elderly, receive them as God’s children and as members of our own family, and serve them with love and respect until God calls them Home.

  • We welcome low-income elderly persons of at least 65 years of age regardless of race or religion.
  • The atmosphere of our Home is friendly and home-like.
  • We strive to provide the best level of medical care possible, but we go beyond that to minister to our Residents emotionally and spiritually, making them happy and communicating to them the tenderness and mercy of God.
  • We encourage an active lifestyle through meaningful activities, a lively pastoral program, and opportunities for volunteering.
  • We adhere to all the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, especially those concerning the sanctity of human life.
  • We reject all forms of euthanasia and assisted suicide and protect our Residents from these practices as well as from all forms of abuse and neglect.
  • The compassionate care and accompaniment of the dying is the summit of our ministry. At Sacred Heart Residence, it is our goal that no one dies alone.
  • We welcome the collaboration of many dedicated staff members, volunteers and benefactors, who are the extended hands and hearts of the Little Sisters.

Tradition of Begging … the Gifts of Providence

Since our founding, “begging” for contributions has been at the heart of the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor.  As we rely on the charity of our community, our friends and benefactors are the instruments through which God sustains our work.

A Day in the Life of a Little Sister ‘Beggar’
Reflections by Sister Mary Vincent

It is 5:30 a.m. A pale moon illumines the velvety darkness overhead. Climbing aboard the begging van we offer up a brief prayer for safe travels for us — myself, a Little Sister companion, and our driver — for all others on the roads, for our benefactors, and for those we meet this day. 

It isn’t long before we catch up with commuters heading to Boston.  By 7 a.m. we arrive at the New England Produce Center in Chelsea. First stop: New England Banana Co., where we are grateful for a generous donation of fruit.  Next: Cutone Mushroom Co. where we catch up with Mary and news since our last visit.

And so it goes. We move from one dock to another, one bay to the next.  By noon, our van is full and we head south to Pawtucket, hopeful we brought a little joy to those who help us in our mission.  Our weekly begging rounds also include the meat market in South Boston and New Bedford for fish.  Every other Thursday we travel to New Haven, CT, to pick up generous donations from two supermarket warehouses. 

My days as a Little Sister beggar are much the same as for those who came before me.  Through begging, the Little Sisters offer those they meet an opportunity to share in their ministry of caring for the elderly poor.  In the heart of each Little Sister rings out a song of hope, confident that the roads that crisscross throughout her life are the pathway that will lead her to the heart of God.

Like Saint Jeanne Jugan, we believe that if we are faithful to our mission, God will provide. We offer prayers to countless vendors and businesses who support our mission.

Our Wish List

Our Wish List Items:

  • Kleenex
  • Body and Hand Lotions
  • Anti-bacterial Hand Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Mouthwash & Denture Tablets
  • Office Supplies
  • Postage Stamps
  • AA and AAA Batteries
  • Paper Towels
  • Hard candy
  • Gift Cards
  • Passes for outings (local concerts, museums or events)
  • HP Ink Cartridges
  • Reams or boxes of copy paper