Tyra Gay
by Jim Hillman Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but Beautiful elders are works of art." –Eleanor Roosevelt Tyra Gay came to work with elders at Caritas House nine years ago somewhat by accident. She was driving by Benson Avenue and saw a sign, “Jenkins Senior Living Community, Tea on Tuesdays.” She was [...]
Our Values: To Teach
by Bill McCarthy Our core values help us understand why we do what we do as an organization. In this article, I focus on the third of our values – to teach. When I think about teaching, I often think about the subjects I studied in school, like English and Math. In our programs, [...]
Tammy Vincent, Accounting
Tammy Vincent Tammy Vincent finds work in the Accounting Department to be a perfect fit for her talents and interests. Tammy says, “It’s been like a home away from home for the past 12 years.” As a team leader who is second in command to the senior financial manager, Tammy helps develop leads on grants [...]
Susan Kaiser Shares Memories from St. Ann’s Adult Day Program
“To love someone is to see a miracle invisible to others.” - Francois Mauriac Miracles happen every day at Catholic Charities, and they are evident in the interactions that occur throughout Catholic Charities every single day. We are highlighting one such story here, shared by Susan Kaiser, who is a Licensed Social Worker at St. [...]
Stories from Staff
by Fr. Ray Chase, Agency Chaplain Many years ago I stopped by one of the apartments at the former Villa Maria to visit the staff and kids. One of the children told me that he had made something for me. He disappeared and then quickly returned presenting me with a plaster plaque he had made, [...]
Senior Housing Employees Lend a Hand at Our Daily Bread
Aaron Kennedy, volunteer coordinator at Our Daily Bread Employment Center, reviews volunteer assignments with Senior Housing employees Michael Jolley, Barbara Nehms and Alison Chapman. What began as a one-time volunteer experience has turned into a quarterly tradition for some of the employees in the senior housing division. On April 20 a group of housing employees [...]
Sarah’s House Caseworker Betty Sherry
For 13 years, Betty Sherry has been making a difference in the lives of the families who reside at Sarah’s House. As lead caseworker, Betty manages a caseload of about eleven clients, supervises two interns, and trains new caseworkers and the Project Serve volunteer. Betty also arranges trainings and seminars for caseworkers, serves as a [...]
Remembering Timothy
by Mark Greenberg, retired Director of Catholic Charities’ Child and Family Services Division Timothy was only 50 years old when he died. I am writing this on the occasion of his funeral. His death was attributed to chronic alcoholism, drug abuse and years of physical neglect. I first met Timothy in 1974 when he was [...]
Reflections on Our Mission: Unconditional Love
by Mary Anne O’Donnell For the 18 years, I have worked at Catholic Charities I have experienced unconditional love every day by witnessing the work of our staff. I have also received unconditional love through interactions and relationships with clients; these clients have had a tremendous influence on my life and helped me to [...]
Reflections on Our Mission: When You Give of Yourself
by Andrea Commarata "Then said a rich man, 'Speak to us of Giving.' And he answered: You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give." - Kahlil Gibran The Depaul team from St. Vincent’s Villa, consisting of children, therapist, counselors, Accounting Department, and [...]