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Our Mission | History | Foundational Principles | Advocacy | Advisory Board of Directors
Community Advisory Boards
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Catholic Charities is a Christian response on the part of the Diocese of Gary to help meet the human needs of the people of Northwest Indiana.
Catholic Charities is a multi-program, private, not-for-profit social service agency serving the people of the four northwest counties of Indiana – Lake, Porter, LaPorte, and Starke.
Through its six area offices and the central administrative office, the agency reaches out to a population of about 735,000 persons with very diverse racial and ethnic characteristics, occupations, experiences and income status. |
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Established in 1937 as an official activity of the Diocese of Fort Wayne, Catholic Charities has continued as part of the Diocese of Gary since 1957. The original purpose was to serve the poor and needy through an agency that would meet the professional standards of Social Work. Through the early years the emphasis was on child welfare services.
Monsignor W. Edward Sweigart first organized the agency and served as Diocesan Director until his retirement. Monsignor Joseph Semancik began working with Catholic Charities as Executive Secretary in 1960, was appointed Diocesan Director in 1962, and served in that capacity for the next 36 years. Michael Husted was hired as the Diocesan Director following Msgr. Semancik’s retirement and provided leadership during the next two years. Kenneth M. Flanagan, Ph.D. served as Diocesan Director from 2000 – 2007. Sister Barbara Sable, SS.C.M. worked as interim Director from December 2007 until September 2008 when Sister of Charity, Jean Augustine, MBA, MSW, ACSW assumed the position of Executive Director for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Gary, Inc.
During the past 73 years, Catholic Charities continues to broaden its base of programming and shift its emphasis depending on the needs of the community. Counseling, volunteer programs, programs for the elderly and family life ministry have developed in recent years in addition to material aid to the poor.
The effectiveness of Catholic Charities is derived from the dedication of its staff, board members, volunteers and donors.
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Population Served:
Focus is on individuals and families who are at the edge between poverty and basic subsistence level and/or those who are marginalized in our society and community, and can encompass more than the financial situation. Services are provided to those who need support in order to move above their current situation.
Approach:
- Build upon people’s strengths and address interpersonal relationships and environmental barriers that inhibit growth.
- Provide services that increase a client’s sense of competency in coping with life challenges and environmental demands.
- Provide services drawing upon a client’s social support network and advocate for social changes that limit opportunities for growth.
Values:
- Believing in the dignity of the person
- An option for the poor and vulnerable
- Believing that all persons have rights and responsibilities
- Promoting the call to participation in family and community
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Catholic Charities USA, since its founding in 1910, has always seen as part of its mission the importance of advocating...speaking out for...writing in support of...making recommendations to governmental agencies. This activity, integral to Catholic Charities, urges attention and resolution to the needs of the poor. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Gary carries on this vital effort as we call, not just for funding for the services we provide, but for programs that help poor people directly - Social Security, housing subsidies, and food stamps. Advocacy may take a number of other forms including community organizing, supporting or opposing proposed legislation, and urging changes in governmental policies that may affect the poor either positively or negatively. We, at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Gary, cooperate with the US Catholic Bishops in fulfilling our political responsibilities in conjunction with the Social Justice Agenda of the Church.
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Stephen Adik, President
Daniel Lowery, Vice President
Verlie Harris, Secretary
Robert Velllutini, Treasurer |
Bernadette Aghaji-Linton, M.D.
Rosa Marie Banks, M.D.
Calvin Bellamy
Fay Donovan
Patrick Downes
Teresa Glotzbach
Barbara Greene
Bruce Hillman
Richard Komyatte
Michael Maloney
Joanne Markiewicz
Rev. Thomas Mischler
Rev. Edward J. Mozur
Daryl D. Pomranke
Terry Quinn
Itsia D. Rivera
Sandra Snearly-Vosberg
Robert Stochel
Theresa Switt
Judy Tonk
J. Guadalupe Valtierra
John Walsh
Richard Zondor
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| Lake County |
LaPorte/Starke Counties |
Porter County |
Judy Tonk, President
Jean Augustine, S.C.
Linda Garcia-Marmolejo
Rosemarie Gomez
Richard Haskell
Bradley Vosbery
Ronald Wojkovich |
Hon. Sally Ankony, President
Jean Augustine, S.C.
Dana Bothwell
Rev. Walter Ciesla
Kathleen Corbett
Tom MacLennan
Ed Merrion
Joseph Rabensteine
Ron Retseck
Theresa Switt
Sara Walz
Susan Yemc |
Jean Augustine, S.C.
Eleanor Dailey
Armando Fernandez
Joyce Fleming
Rev. Doug Mayer
Sister Barbara Sable, SS.C.M.
Lily Schaefer |
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