About Us
Fidelitas began with a simple belief: we have a responsibility to care for the people with whom we share our communities.
Throughout life, we encounter people fighting battles that may be visible and others that may not be. Cancer, family separation, financial hardship, and difficult life circumstances can leave people feeling isolated.
Fidelitas exists to respond with something tangible.
A warm blanket.
A package of school supplies.
A handwritten message.
A community willing to show up.
Our goal is not simply to provide things. Our goal is to create moments of human connection that remind people they matter.
Our Mission
Our mission is to reduce the suffering of others and provide comfort to people experiencing difficult times by delivering direct, meaningful assistance and strengthening connections throughout the community.
At Fidelitas, we believe service is about more than meeting a material need. It is about reminding people that their community sees them, values them, and stands beside them. Through practical acts of kindness, we bring together young people, families, volunteers, donors, community organizations, and those we serve.Small acts of compassion can become powerful reminders that no one walks through life's challenges alone.
Board of Directors
Patrick Keane
Founder
Jim McVicar
Board Member
"To whom much is given, much will be required." It is a belief that I was taught by my community growing up and a direction that I have chosen in my life. I have been given much in my life by many in this world, and it is my responsibility to those that guided me to give to others. In my journey on this blue marble, my hope is to show others that are on their journey that they are not alone. There is a thread that connects us all to each other. Every interaction that we have with each other, we all have a chance to positively affect another person's journey. You never know if your interaction with another person will be the interaction that provides comfort or may even convince that person to make it another day with us all. I hope that your moment with Fidelitas will motivate you to reach out to someone and say "hi" or express a thought.
The greatest gift in life is time and the ability to give back! Fidelitas gives me the opportunity to share and give back and that’s the real blessing!
A Message from
Our Founder
Fidelitas was created after years of reflection on family, friendship, service, and the ways people support one another during difficult moments.
Founder Patrick E. Keane's years working inside Illinois correctional facilities also provided the inspiration for one of the organization's core initiatives. He witnessed incarcerated parents save months of limited institutional earnings so they could send money home for pencils, crayons, glue sticks, notebooks, and other school supplies for their children. Behind those efforts was something universal: a parent's desire to see their child succeed.
Those experiences, combined with the experience of seeing family and friends face cancer, helped shape the two initial missions of Fidelitas.
Fidelitas was founded to turn those experiences into action.
“We may not be able to remove every hardship someone faces, but we can make sure they do not face it without knowing someone cares.”
Patrick E. Keane
Founder, Fidelitas NFP
The power of community and the difference that dedicated organizations can make is the driving force for Fidelitas. Its work reflects the values of compassion, service, and opportunity that are important to us all!
Nora Bennett
Board Member
Making a Difference Today for Tomorrow