PRESS RELEASE
October 31, 2014 Catholic Charities of Steuben Announces 2014 Annual Award Recipients BATH, NY Catholic Charities of Steuben (CCS) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2014 Annual Awards. Each year CCS recognizes members of the Steuben County community and CCS staff for outstanding commitment to the agency, its mission, and the programs that combine to advance the mission, including Kinship Family & Youth programs, Substance Free Living programs, and Turning Point programs. Recipients were recognized at a dinner held Thursday, October 16 at the Bath Country Club. The highest community honor, the Friends of Catholic Charities Award, recognizes an organization or individual who has helped CCS achieve its mission to build communities that care for all people by strengthening and enriching the quality of life for individuals, families and children; working to reduce poverty; and advocating for social justice. This year the honor went to Pro Action of Steuben and Yates, Inc. Accepting the award were Pro Action’s former Executive Director Dave Hill, Executive Director Laura Rossman, and Deputy Director Dawn Brucie. In presenting the award, CCS Executive Director Laura Opelt said, “Pro Action has been a friend of our agency since the inception of the Steuben County office in 1997. David Hill, who was Director at the time, and Dawn Brucie, Deputy Director, were part of a group of community leaders who helped to establish the Turning Point program. In those early years, Pro Action transferred the emergency assistance work they were doing to Catholic Charities in order to help us create a critical point of entry for people experiencing an economic crisis. Over the years, Pro Action has continued to operate in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration with us as well as with many community partners… Catholic Charities and Pro Action share the philosophy that if there is a need in the community, we will try our best to find a way to help.” The Andy Mazzella Compassion Award was newly established this year in honor of Andy Mazzella, who has dedicated many years of service to Catholic Charities as both a volunteer and a paid staff member, working with deeply felt compassion to assist low income families in our community who are struggling. This award is intended to give special recognition to those individuals in CCS or in the Steuben County community who have given selflessly of themselves to improve the human condition of others. This year, the award went to Paula Stark of Painted
Help that works. Hope that lasts. 23 Liberty Street Bath, NY 14810 (607)776-8085 (607)776-4092 Fax www.catholiccharities.org
PRESS RELEASE Post, NY. CCS Anti-Poverty Services Director Lynda Lowin presented the award saying, “Many of you may know [Stark] from her work with the Getting Ahead program through the Bridges [Out of Poverty] Coalition. With the support of her employer, Pathways, Inc., she had taken an online course to become a facilitator of “Getting Ahead in a Just Getting’ By World.” [When] she learned that a Bridges Coalition had been started in the Bath area,… she quickly brought direction to the education component of the Bridges work. She modeled true service and dedication to the community engagement of the work. She worked nights and weekends learning the methods, creating the documents, developing assessments, and seeking the most relevant data from our community and Bridges communities around the country. While this demonstrates her commitment to the work, it pales in comparison to her compassion for the people with whom she would engage. As the pilot Getting Ahead group began their journey in 2012, she developed relationships with the participants, modeling true co-investigation of life in poverty. She engaged the students, known as co-investigators, and became a relentless advocate for each graduate of the group. As the third group graduated, and a fourth group is planned to begin, her resolve and commitment remains the same. Co-investigating life, in her example, has everything to do with not just “getting by” in poverty, and everything to do with “getting ahead.” We have seen her engage the mental health community, law enforcement, the business community, and helping agencies of every variety to find the resources that are needed so a grad can take one more step in her/his journey. There is no way to estimate the hours spent on one on one consultation with graduates. There is only a depth of relationship that she has with so many GA grads to show the results of her care and compassion with a vulnerable population in our community.” The Works of Love Award recognizes the extraordinary effort of a member of the Steuben County faith community who collaborates with CCS to act on social justice issues and serve the most vulnerable in our community, advancing the mission of the organization through various works of love. This year’s award went to the Steuben County Bridges Out of Poverty Coalition. Accepting on behalf of the Coalition was John Wildeman. CCS Anti-Poverty Services Director Lynda Lowin presented the award saying, “This group’s volunteer efforts have measurably, successfully improved the lives of many in our community; moreover, they have demonstrated the dedication and ability to sustain their successful approach so we can continue to bring about positive change in our community.”
Help that works. Hope that lasts. 23 Liberty Street Bath, NY 14810 (607)776-8085 (607)776-4092 Fax www.catholiccharities.org
PRESS RELEASE
The Robert Turissini Award for Extraordinary Service was established by the CCS Board of Directors as a special way to honor outstanding employees. Bob Turissini was instrumental in establishing Catholic Charities in Steuben County. His dedicated service and leadership as the first Chairman of CCS’s Board of Directors guided the agency from its creation in 1997 and brought it to its respected level today. This year, there were two awardees, each nominated by their staff. The first recipient was Director of SHAPE and Child Care Services Margaret Duff of Geneseo, NY. In presenting the award, CCS Executive Director Laura Opelt said, “Margaret successfully manages four programs across three counties. With all of her various responsibilities and funder requirements, Margaret consistently ensures outcomes are achieved, programs are developed or enhanced to meet expressed needs, and that employees learn and grow professionally. This year was a banner year for two programs under Margaret’s supervision.” The other recipient was CCS Anti-Poverty Services Director Lynda Lowin of Hammondsport, NY. Opelt presented the award stating, “Lynda embodies the values of our organization and treats everyone with dignity and respect. She has done an outstanding job focusing the Turning Point Programs on those things which are most closely related to mission and has been instrumental in establishing connections with faith communities to assist us with meeting the needs of the families we see. She cares deeply about the people we serve and is a strong advocate and voice for them.” The Spirit of Turning Point Award recognizes a volunteer whose contribution helps to advance the work of Turning Point, either through advocacy, education, building relationships, developing resources, or increasing capacity. This year, CCS chose to honor Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Langendorfer of Bath, NY. Four of her eight children, Peter, Carol, Charlie, and JoAnne, attended the dinner with her. CCS Anti-Poverty Services Director Lynda Lowin presented the award saying, “This year’s recipient embodies the spirit of Turning Point. Through her humble involvement in the Community Garden, she has built relationships between the community and the Bath Food Pantry, helped develop new resources for the Bath Food Pantry, and increased the capacity of our food pantry program… We know, from the work we do, that when food is scarce, quantity becomes more important than quality. Stretching food dollars leads to making choices that are often higher in carbohydrates and sugars, and lower in nutritional value… Providing fresh, locally
Help that works. Hope that lasts. 23 Liberty Street Bath, NY 14810 (607)776-8085 (607)776-4092 Fax www.catholiccharities.org
PRESS RELEASE grown produce is one of the most important things we can do to invest in the health and wellness of our community.” The William and Dorothy Belknap Award recognizes an individual who, through their efforts and dedication, has promoted the work of Bath Hope for Youth in providing Substance Free Living services to youth, families, and communities. This year’s award went to Mary White of Hammondsport, NY. Prevention Services Director Jim Bassage presented the award, stating, “I have had the pleasure to work with this year’s recipient for the last 5-6 years. I have found her to be a strong advocate for youth and prevention efforts, who is always willing to collaborate and help in any way that she can. She has been very supportive of our agency and our programs which have helped us to accomplish our mission and goals.” Unable to attend the dinner, White accepted the award at Hammondsport High School on October 17, 2014. The Barbara Fairbanks Award recognizes an individual who exemplifies a strong commitment to advocating for the children of Steuben County through their support of one of the Kinship Family and Youth programs. This year’s recipient was Bob Gilchrist of Penn Yan, NY. Kinship Family & Youth Director Lisa Galatio presented the award, saying “He has consistently been an advocate of the importance of quality child care. His support of the Bath Community Child Day Care Center has been unwavering and beyond anything we could have hoped for… His interest in the Center comes from a deep understanding of the importance of quality child care in the development of children as they prepare to enter school and for families to have reliable and safe child care available so they can go to work and fulfill other responsibilities without worrying about their children.” The Foster Care Parent Award recognizes foster parents who exhibit qualities that are so important to the success of the youth in our therapeutic foster care program. These qualities include: the ability to work in partnership with Kinship staff, DSS caseworkers, birth parents, service providers and others; an understanding of Kinship’s philosophy of fostering; attendance at ongoing trainings to improve their skills and knowledge; commitment to maintaining a house full of difficult youth safely and lovingly; and the ability to advocate for the youth in their care at school and with medical providers. Becky and Bob Fanton of Wellsville, NY were honored with this year’s award. Presenting the award, Therapeutic Foster Care Coordinator Melissa Nichols Mahany said, “The couple we have chosen exemplifies all of those qualities and more. They develop significant relationships with each and every youth placed in their home, and they put
Help that works. Hope that lasts. 23 Liberty Street Bath, NY 14810 (607)776-8085 (607)776-4092 Fax www.catholiccharities.org
PRESS RELEASE those children first. This couple has chosen to take in perhaps the most difficult foster care population that we have—teenagers. Their endless compassion and nurturing has allowed these boys to grow and flourish. They provide structure, set limits, and promote appropriate consequences for behaviors that the teens need and are often experiencing for the first time. We all feel very fortunate to have had these foster parents as part of our Kinship and Catholic Charities family for the last six years.” The Golden Shoe Award recognizes the walker who raised the most funds for our annual antipoverty walk, STEPS, which stands for “Steps To End Poverty in Steuben.” The walk takes place in May in Bath, Corning, and Hornell. This year, walkers were able to raise nearly $20,000 to assist families in need. Just as importantly, the event also helped to raise awareness in our community about poverty in Steuben County. This year’s recipient was Andy Mazzella of Hammondsport, NY. CCS Fundraising/Communications Director Paula Smith presented the award saying, “Those of you who know Andy understand that he has great passion for helping people in poverty. For the last five years he has been a strong force at work, helping to educate the community and assist our organization with raising money to help improve the lives of those we serve. We are truly blessed to have Andy’s help and commitment.” CCS’ mission is to build communities that care for all people by strengthening and enriching the quality of life for individuals, families, and children; working to reduce poverty; and advocating for social justice. For more information or to get involved, please contact CCS Fundraising/Communications Director Paula Smith at 607-776-8085 x218 or paulasmith@dor.org. -30-
Help that works. Hope that lasts. 23 Liberty Street Bath, NY 14810 (607)776-8085 (607)776-4092 Fax www.catholiccharities.org
PRESS RELEASE
IMAGES ATTACHED:
CAPTIONS: Accepting the Friends of Catholic Charities Award for Pro Action of Steuben and Yates were, from left, Pro Action’s Deputy Director Dawn Brucie, former Executive Director Dave Hill, and current Executive Director Laura Rossman at the Catholic Charities Annual Dinner on October 16, 2014.
Friends of Catholic Charities Award_Pro Action.JPG Catholic Charities Steuben Anti-Poverty Services Director Lynda Lowin (left) presented Paula Stark (right) with the 2014 Andy Mazzella Compassion Award at the Annual Award Dinner October 16, 2014.
Andy Mazzella Compassion Award_Paula Stark.JPG Accepting the Works of Love Award on behalf of the Steuben County Bridges Out of Poverty Coalition were Coalition members (from left): Kristen Stewart, John Wildeman, Dawn Brucie, and Paula Stark.
Works of Love Award_Bridges Out of Poverty Coalition.JPG
Help that works. Hope that lasts. 23 Liberty Street Bath, NY 14810 (607)776-8085 (607)776-4092 Fax www.catholiccharities.org
PRESS RELEASE
IMAGES ATTACHED:
CAPTIONS: Catholic Charities of Steuben (CCS) Director of SHAPE and Child Care Services Margaret Duff (left) and CCS Anti-Poverty Services Director Lynda Lowin (right) accepted the 2014 Robert Turissini Award for Extraordinary Service at the CCS Annual Dinner October 16, 2014.
Bob Turrisini Award_Margaret Duff_Lynda Lowin.JPG Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Langendorfer of Bath, NY accepted the Spirit of Turning Point Award at the Catholic Charities of Steuben Annual Dinner October 16, 2014.
Spirit of Turning Point Award_Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Langendorfer.JPG Mary White (center) of Hammondsport, NY was presented with the 2014 William and Dorothy Belknap Award at Hammondsport High School on October 17, 2014. Presenting the award were Bridgette Lanphere, Prevention Counselor at Hammondsport High School (left), and Jim Bassage, CCS Prevention Services Director (right). William and Dorothy Belknap Award_Mary White.jpg
Help that works. Hope that lasts. 23 Liberty Street Bath, NY 14810 (607)776-8085 (607)776-4092 Fax www.catholiccharities.org