Living Kindness

Those yearning for understanding have turned to her for nearly fifty years.

Sister Charla Commins is a compassionate listener, a careful, confident speaker, and a snappy dresser. Stylish and classic, her appearance might differ from one’s expectations of a woman who joined religious life at age 18.

Sister Charla’s knack for defying convention is one of the qualities that makes her so relatable to the disenfranchised, poor, and vulnerable.

“I grew up in an extremely stable background and have been constantly amazed at the challenges faced by the poor and the vulnerable, and impressed by their resiliency and courage” she said.

Saratoga Gains A Sister

Born and raised in Syracuse, Sister Charla has been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 60 years. Initially employed as a secondary English teacher for eight years, one summer, she got a taste for another kind of work in the inner City of Albany. “That experience really whet my appetite for more ministry in the field of social work,” she said.

In 1975, she was tapped, along with three others, by Sister Serena Branson, DC, the then CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, to help expand Catholic Charities from just within the Capital District into all 14 counties, beginning with Saratoga.

Social Services Blossom In The City

The fledgling agency was one of a handful of non-profits serving the county and Sister Charla recalls a very different climate. “At that time, there was more available funding and much less external regulation,” she said. “Our task, simply stated, was: ‘Identify the urgent needs of the poor and vulnerable and find ways to meet them’. And so, counseling services, services to the frail and isolated elderly, emergency services, and a drop-in center began the journey.”

In 1995, Catholic Charities of Saratoga County merged with Catholic Charities of Warren and Washington Counties, and has been serving those in need through a variety of programming in the Tri-County region ever since.

Sister Charla earned her Master’s in Social Work from SUNY Albany in 1985 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the years to follow. She was appointed Executive Director in 1988, a position she holds to this day. She has served many area organizations throughout the years and was a founding board member of the Domestic Violence/Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County, the Hospice of Saratoga County, and the area’s first taskforce working to build a permanent shelter for the homeless (to name a few).

THERE, FROM WOMB TO TOMB

Sister Charla served on the frontlines of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the Community AIDS Foundation of the Capital Region Steering Committee and as the HIV/AIDS Coalition of the Saratoga Region, Inc.’s Board Chair.

“Working with those infected with HIV/AIDS was a privilege and an honor. It was one of the best things I ever did in my ministry,” she said. “They knew they could find a place here that was welcoming and safe, a place where they could feel valued and cared for.”

The Coalition was a stabilizing force amid the turmoil. It helped to facilitate counseling, financial assistance and advocacy, and a much needed “buddy” system. Sister Charla co-facilitated a support group for nearly twelve years.

For The Benefit Of All

To the surprise of many, Catholic Charities serves those of every race, creed, lifestyle, and age.

Sister Charla believes there is a difference between organized religion and spirituality. “The unchurched still have a strong spirituality,” she said.

“In reading the Gospels, we see that nobody is outside of Christ’s circle. All are accepted and loved.”

“Some women think they don’t have the resources within themselves to resolve a difficult situation,” she continued. “Sometimes, women think asking for help shows weakness, so they suffer far too long and the challenges grow enormously. In those situations, the best thing I did was listen, engage, and offer support –that has been the pivotal thing.”

MORE NEED, LESS MONEY

Through the years, addressing problems has become more difficult, said Sister Charla. “We’ll never end poverty, we’ll always have the rich and the poor, but it’s touching more people now than ever,” she said, adding, “It will probably be here until the end of time. However, there are so many good people, agencies, and faith communities helping others, it makes me hopeful. We can’t change the world, but we can help individual situations.”

In the current economic climate, more people are living in poverty or existing paycheck to paycheck. During just one day in May, Catholic Charities’ Saratoga office received 18 calls for emergency financial assistance from individuals unable to pay their rent, electric bill, needed car repairs, etc. Sister Charla fears funding will not keep up with increasing demand.

The agency’s largest fundraiser, the Festival of Trees, is a fun, social event made possible by hundreds of volunteers each year. For the past 27 years, this wonderful event has simultaneously ushered in the holiday season while raising much needed funding for agency programs.

“It’s a wonderful coming together of the Saratoga Springs community,” she said.

Living Life To The Fullest

Sister Charla has journeyed with many during their final days, and has learned from them that, in the end, people examine the lives they have lived. Often, they are no longer concerned with themselves, but instead want to mend fences, if necessary, and ensure the ones they leave behind are cared for.

“Live with kindness and integrity,” she advises. “Live life to the fullest, you never know when it’s going to be over.”

To relax, Sister Charla enjoys time spent with friends. She can often be found enjoying a good Kristin Hannah novel, some light reading from author Emily Henry, or receiving spiritual stimulation and guidance from the work of theologian Fr. Richard Rohr.

“It’s been a great ride. My life has been blessed and I am grateful.”