History of Catholic Social Services
In the fall of 1945, Archbishop Edward Mooney directed Father John R. Hogan, assistant pastor of Holy Cross Church in Marine City, to pursue a Master’s Degree in social work at Catholic University in Washington D.C. Archbishop Mooney was on the cutting edge of church reorganization that the stresses of modern living were outdistancing the traditional training and abilities of parish priests to full their age-old roles as counselor as well as confessor tot heir flocks.
In mid-1947, after Father Hogan had earned his master’s degree (cum Laude) in social work, by-then-Cardinal Mooney had another directive ready: Go to Port Huron and, with the help of the Northeastern Deanery Dean, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas A. Connell, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, establish a counseling center to serve the needs of St. Clair County Catholics. The agency was to become the first family-service agency in the county and the third—after those in Wayne and Oakland counties—in the archdiocese.
The 32-year old Father Hogan was assigned to St. Stephen parish for living quarters, where he was to “earn his meal ticket” by serving as an assistant pastor. (He would be assistant No. 3. In those years, St. Stephen, which operated a 1st-through12th grade school, had two other assistant pastors.)
A steering committee was brought together by Monsignor Connell and Father Hogan what included a Who’s Who of Catholic leaders in the community—not all of whom were convinced that a social services agency was needed, or that a church-sponsored one in any case would work. Within a few weeks, nevertheless, an organizational structure had been agreed upon and operating guide-lines had been laid down.
Serving on the board of directors were attorney (later District and U. S. Court of Appeals Judge) Clifford O’Sullivan, chairman, Monsignor Connell, The Rev. Edward J. McCormick, pastor of St. Stephen Church, Port Huron Police Capt. (later Chief) Daniel O’Leary, former Port Huron Mayor George C. Higgins, Mrs. Anna M. Potts, Mrs. Theresa S. Courtney, Raphael Graziadei, Time Herald President and Publisher Louis A. Weil, Miss Doris Teachout, Tom Ferris, LeRoy S. Wilson, Thomas Kearns, Mrs. Mary S. Peloso, and Mrs. Rose Walsh.
After an intensive search, quarters for the fledgling agency were found for $40.00 a month at 236 ½ Huron Ave, on the second floor above Merit Shoes, next door to Kresge’s store, which was on the southeast corner of Huron and Grand River avenues.
Volunteers did cleaning and painting to help ready the four-room suite for occupancy. A great deal of labor and materials also were donated—by non-Catholics as well as Catholic—to meet renovation needs. On one memorable night, seven volunteer electricians (two of them non-Catholics) turned out to install fluorescent lights donated by a non-Catholic merchant. The Port Huron Knights of Columbus contributed a case of beer for the work bee while an electrician’s wife provided sandwiches. Most of the office furniture had been purchased from the War Assets Administration at the bargain-basement price of $165.
Meanwhile, Father Hogan had assembled a staff to assist him: Caseworker Alice Brady, who, like Father Hogan, held a master’s degree in social work from Catholic University, and secretary-receptionist Joanne Fiedler. The new Catholic Family Center had its first referral and it first client, on September 8. In the week that followed, two dozen additional clients sought the agency’s help.
Secretary Fiedler--now Mrs. Joanne Thomas—recalls that there was nothing particular memorable about the offices, which stretched across the back of the building. But she does have fond memories of Father Hogan and Alice Brady and the rest of the staff as the agency grew, and of the pioneering work they were doing. She also recalls that the Huron Avenue offices, despite the burden of a long flight of stairs, were conveniently close to the (ground floor) lunch counter at Peck’s Drug Store.
The agency’s first challenge, as Father Hogan noted, was not to serve any waiting backlog of clients. Rather, it was to educate the community as to what the agency was and how it could serve people’s unmet needs.
Attempting to cut through the lack of understanding—even mistrust—of professional counseling half a century ago, Father Hogan said, “All of us have weaknesses. Some are of the body, others of the mind or soul”.
It is a commentary on the times that only shortly before a new Catholic Family Center was established, a proposal for a similar nonsectarian agency died aborning after leaders of the Port Huron Community Chest ( today’s United Way) said there not only was no money but no demonstrated need for such services.
In fact, the new agency was instituted primarily to serve Catholics—it was, after all, church funded (by the Archdiocesan Development Fund)—its services would not be denied by anyone, Father Hogan declared, regardless of religious affiliation, or lack thereof.
In fact, when the bylaws were adopted the following year, they stated: “It shall be the primary function to work with and for Catholic families within the Port Huron district, and provided that within available means of the agency, not to refuse it services to those seeking them regardless of religious background”.
The agency’s offices were not exactly ideal but it turned out to be a convenient circumstance that it shared the second-floor with other tenants. Prospective clients would be less self-conscious about the long trek up the stairway when they could as easily be going to a neighboring suite: Having their eyes checked at Dr. Thomas Glover’s optometry office, their picture taken in William C. Powell’s portrait studio, or have their hair done in Mrs. Irene Nugent’s beauty shop.
During its first year of operation, the Catholic Family Center assisted 150 families—involving 440 persons—with family and children’s services. Four years later, in a Catholic Home Messenger article, “The House Port Huron Built”, case worker Alice Ainsworth wrote, “What was accomplished that first year could be briefly stated in cold figures. They would not reveal, however, the long hours of work, the innumerable talks to groups, the small triumphs or the big headaches”.
The value of the new agency was rather quickly recognized by a community that was previously skeptical of the needs in was it was designed to serve and not entirely comfortable with its Catholic identity. When the Catholic Family Center was only a year old, the same Community Chest that had turned down a similar agency less than 24 months earlier voted to welcome the Family Center membership and, most importantly, to extend financial aid to it. A different type of recognition came at about the same time from the Archdiocese: Father Hogan was relieved of his obligation at St. Stephen so he could concentrate on the Family Center.
The place the new agency won in the community was not entirely the consequences of its services, though, worthy as they were. Father Hogan was already winning recognition as an activist for a variety of area programs and projects—and as an ecumenist who didn’t hesitate to reach out to other religions. (Several years later, he would become the first Catholic priest to head the Port Huron Ministerial Association.) Those qualities served him and the agency well in winning community acceptance. Equally important was the caliber and commitment of the early board of directors and the firm and continuing support of the League of Catholic Women.
By 1949, the agency had added two more case workers, including its first child welfare worker. By another year, the agency had adopted adoptions services and was outgrowing it four-room home. In addition, there were plans (not carried out) to demolish the building at 234 Huron Ave. So Father Hogan began to look around for new quarters. With board members’ help, a building was finally found at 607 Water Street, opposite the north end of Sixth Street. The structure was essentially gutted to convert the store-front into office suitable for a family service agency. The remodeled building was occupied in February, 1951. By the time that year ended, figures showed that more than half of
Agency’s clients were non-Catholics.
Also in that same year, the agency began operating—with volunteer help—a used clothing shop, The Bargain Counter. Its duel purpose was to be a source of low-cost clothing and the other essentials for the needy and to raise money to help the agency make ends meet. The Bargain Counter continued to operate until the 1957, by which time its business had dwindled and it was discontinued.
Meanwhile, in 1950, father Hogan had been handed an additional major responsibility that would impact his director ship of the Family Service Agency. He was named the administrator of a new parish at Lakeport—St. Edward on- the-Lake. The following year, he persuaded Miss Patricia Gilroy, a former caseworker, to return to the agency as case supervisor, to ease the demands on Father Hogan as he undertook the burdens of organizing a new parish.
In early 1965, the agency marked another first: it hired a clinical psychologist, Miss Julian Ann Goodman, as Child Welfare Supervisor and consulting psychologist. (The agency previously had received a State of Michigan license for child welfare services.)
Another important measure of the agency’s growing professional structure was its certification about this time as a field training agency for Master of Social Work degree applicants and its affiliation for student training purposed with Wayne State University, the University of Ottawa, Catholic University of America and Carleton (Minn.) College.
The following year, in a move to give comparable agencies in the Archdiocese similar designations, the name of the agency was changed to Catholic Social Services of St. Clair County. The new name also reflected the broadened scope of the agency’s services. It dealt increasingly with not only issues of personal intra-family relationships but with the deeper problems associated with alcohol, drugs, old age, pregnancy and child abuse.
As the need increased for broader services—and, consequently, for agency staff numbers—the Water Street quarters, by now nearly 10 years old, were becoming seriously overcrowded. Father Hogan and the CSS board began looking for more space.
Thanks to the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Sisters of Mercy, a building site was made available west of Mercy Hospital in 1960. Marysville architect Charles M. Valentine, who had done substantial work for the Archdiocese in addition to designing several Port Huron area schools, worked with Father Hogan and Executive Secretary Patricia Gilroy to produce plans for a one-storey brick and stone building, 45 x 75 feet, to house the growing CSS. Designed to meet the agency’s current and foreseeable needs, it began to take shape and substance early in 1961 and was completed by late fall.
The $75,000 needed to build the 45 by 75 foot structure at 2601 13th. Street was provided by the Archdiocese Development Fund (predecessor of today’s Catholic Services Appeal), the United Community Chest of St. Clair County (today’s United Way) and the Mendelssohn Fund of St. Clair. It was dedicated on Nov. 5 1961 by Archbishop John A. Dearden.
A month later, on December 3, the new building, freshly landscaped was showcased to the public at an open house co-hosted by the League of Catholic Women. It boasted nine caseworkers’ and executive offices, a large conference/board room, waiting room, and staff lounge.
On the exterior wall adjoining the entrance, brown glazed brick provided contrasting background for a stark white fiberglass medallion for the Holy Family—underscoring the enduring family orientation of the agency.
The agency’s new home provided room for a myriad of services to individuals and families. Family casework services included marital counseling, dealing with problems of adolescents, family relationships, the aged, alcoholic and family relationships; services to unwed mothers; material needs and planning for multi-problem families, and child protection services.
In 1963, CSS became an accredited member of the Child Welfare League of America. By that time, the agency’s Child Welfare Services included foster home funding and child placement and supervision; the supervision of children in court-ordered placement and psychological and psychiatric evaluations and referrals.
But one of the agency’s most important—and most visible—services was in adoptive home-finding and placement. It was also one of the happiest. Although agency workers might initially be called on to deal with mixed emotions of an unmarried mother contemplating giving up her baby for adoption, the totality of the adoptive process was a wholly positive one. The mother came to realize that adoption opened the way to a better life for both her child and her. And a couple denied offspring of their own were blessed with a loved child. For several years, a summer picnic in Marysville Park brought adoptive parents, children and agency staff members together for a memorable, thankful reunion.
For three decades. Catholic Social Services averaged some 25 adoptions annually---two a month, plus. But by the early 1980s, changing social attitudes had cut that number to six. It is even fewer today.
It wasn’t only adoptions that were changed by the social values and conditions. The 1970s brought new problems to the community—and to Catholic Social Service. The use of drugs, including alcohol, increased –and so did the need to deal with it. CSS responded by establishing an Alcoholic Service Center (the first of its kind in the county) to provide medical and vocational rehabilitation along with counseling. The needs of an aging population were met with a program of counseling and protective services for troubled—frequently—alienated senior citizens.
Not all of the agency’s services involve professional and office casework. In 1994, CSS sponsored an educational Opportunity proposal and initiated a Job Training Center. The demonstrated need for these services led to subsequent establishment of a job training program in Port Huron Area Schools.
It was a CSS Study that established need—and led to the establishment of—an office of Economic opportunity for St. Clair County. And CSS facilities and expertise were used for an Archdiocesan study that confirmed the need for a Catholic retirement home her—and paved the way for Marydale.
In a practice that stretches back to the agency’s earliest days, staff workers at CSS gathered donated gifts to make Christmas merrier for needy youngsters. At first, the recipients were a few boys and girls from client families. But the practice quickly grew to include a far broader group of underprivileged children. Decades later, in 1980, the newly organized Friends of Catholic Social Services embraced the program and introduced the Giving Tree to area parishes as a means of collecting the present each Christmas.
At about the same time, Catholic Social Services was honored to accept another nonofficial duty. It was designated one of two entities in the area—along with the-County Department of Social Welfare—to select recipients of the Port Huron Old Newsboys’ Christmas clothing program.
Official honors were lacking, either. In early 1983, the agency won accreditation by the Council on Accreditation for Families and Children. The designation came after CSS personnel and operations underwent comprehensive examination and review by a national team of professionals. (Since that time, the agency has been re-accredited every four-years and continues to maintain this accreditation. This means that all the agency’s services, programs, operations, board governance, human resources, policies and procedures, accounting practices all meet or exceed national standards for quality service delivery).
In a move to engender greater collaboration among the six Archdiocesan CSS agencies and to clarify their relationship to the Archdiocese, Catholic Community Services, Inc., was established in 1994 to provide direction and oversight. At the same time, each county agency was reorganized as a separate nonprofit corporation to empower the local units—including CSS St. Clair County—to govern their day-to-day business as independently as possible.
Today, CSS operates three centers of specialty; each under it won director; The Center for Counseling Services; The Center for Children and Youth Services, and the Center for Substance Abuse Services. The staff for the three centers, including administration, consists of 12 fulltime and 15 part-time professionals.
CSS has grown in its 50 years to an agency with a budget in excess of $1.2 million annually. The Archdiocese of Detroit, which underwrote the agency’s beginnings with a first-year grant of $12,000, continues to support it, but to a diminishing degree. Today, contracts for services from government and other agencies, third-party payments, employee assistance programs and other fees provide about 85 percent of the non-profit agency’s revenue. The United Way of St. Clair County provides a crucial 11t0 12 percent so the agency can extend its services to county residents in need, regardless of ability to pay.
As Catholic Social Services stands on the threshold of its second 50 years, it is preparing to meet the demands of a 21st Century society. In concert with the other five Catholic Social Services agencies of the Archdiocese, St. Clair County is working toward computerization of its casework, financial services and other critical data. The $162,000 local agency’s share of the $1.7 million Archdiocesan program is being funded by the United Way’s Services Capital Campaign ($58,925), and the Archdiocese ($73,514) and local fund raising-efforts.
Computerization is an essential move that will enable the agency to better serve its clients, staff and funders, by providing timely, comprehensive data regarding services, demographics and finances.
Catholic Social Services of St. Clair County has changed in many ways over its 50 years. But the commitment of its formative years endures: A resolution to serve people’s needs with compassion, with concern and with professionalism.
This historical account was provided by former board member and Times Herald Editor, Mr. Bernard Lyons. It is with special thanks and recognition that he is acknowledged for his effort to provide us with a historical account of the agency; otherwise this history would be lost forever. Mr. Lyons alludes to in his account that “back in those days” things were different. Issues of trust amongst the various religions were “somewhat” limited and the thought of a “Catholic” agency willing to help those of other religions was unique to those times. Certainly by 2010, the community has come to accept the services and programs of Catholic Social Services. CSS has earned this acceptance by serving all that come to its doors. CSS has been ecumenical in its Mission to helping all in need, regardless of age, race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin or income. Because of the unique, passionate, and professional approach to helping to resolve community problems and issues; Catholic Social Services has been a key stakeholder and partner in making the community a better place to live, work and raise families. Since it first opened its doors, literary thousands of individuals and families have been helped; it is a strong testimonial to the belief in “Helping People Help Themselves” and a person doesn’t have to be “Catholic” to receive help from Catholic Social Services.
Now in 2010, as an addendum to the history that was written for the 50th anniversary, the agency continues to evolve, stretch, grow, while still adhering to its Mission and Vision to the community. We changed the letterhead on our stationary to “Helping People to Help Themselves” reflecting our commitment to the client while acknowledging the individuals own commitment to personal change and growth. The computerization that was previously written about has come to fruition. The agency provides financial, demographic, and clinical data based on computerized reporting from data entered into the agency’s main server. All the offices have computers and are connected via a “main” server. The next step in the progression is to provide case reports and notes via a soft ware specifically designed for social work agencies that is integrated into the billing system for a true “paperless system”. Currently computerized billing and electronic billing, report writing, and word processing are part of normal day-to-day operations.
Annually the agency continues to provide an independent audit from an outside CPA firm (in part a requirement for various funders, like United Way and others, and in part, due to the accreditation process); in addition, the agency is annually audited by the State of Michigan and other governmental funders for compliance per contract requirements; including financial reporting compliance and for case record requirement, report compliance and documentation. As was mentioned previously, the agency has maintained continuous accreditation by the Council on Accreditation for Families and Children since 1983. This means that the agency meets or exceeds national standards for quality in our programs and services, board governance, administration, financial reporting, human resources, policies and procedures, risk management reporting and all aspects our business. The agency’s insurance underwriter, Michigan Catholic Conference, provides oversight regarding risk management issues and visibility inspects the building, its contents, and its insurance coverage for compliance with national standards, state building codes and so forth (the agency also provides an annual Risk Management Report). The agency provides an annual Continuous Quality Improvement Report that addresses operating issues like: staff satisfaction, client satisfaction, utilization review and we provide to board and staff. Also we provide “Quarterly Indicator Reports” that address items like: if there were any grievances, complaints, and recipient’s rights violations, any reported neglect or abuse of clients and other items defined by standards. The agency also is compliant with the HIPPA rules and regulations regarding external, internal, security analysis, electronic data equipment like: computers fax machines and telephones, and electronic billing to ensure client confidentiality.
Over the past several years there have been changes to our building. Back in the 1980s a wheelchair ramp was installed. However the agency was not in compliance with ADA requirements for people with disabilities; due to those requirements compliance was a priority for administration and board. As a result, new push-button automatic door openers were installed so that a wheel-chair bound clients could enter the building on his/her own ability. Funding was supplied by grants from the Archdiocese, the St. Clair County Community Foundations, and the St. Clair County United Way. Several years later, our public restroom was gutted and a new barrier-free restroom was installed to meet the ADA requirements. Funding was again provided by grants from St. Clair County Community Foundation, St. Clair County United Way, the Archdiocese of Detroit and Catholic Social Services. The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters of St. Clair County provided all the labor for this project. Several years later, the staff lounge was updated and again the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters provided all the construction labor for the project.
As time evolves, things change; so to at CSS. Catholic Social Services started the first Domestic Violence Program for male batterers in the county. That program continued for about eight years and then due to loss of client referrals, the program was discontinued. The same is true for the adoption and foster care programs. In a world that has changed, we sometimes have to weigh fact verses heart. With the costs associated with these two programs and the decline of babies given for adoption, a cost/benefit analysis was done and it was clear that the agency could no long afford these programs. A difficult decision was made by the board to discontinue this service and to be a referral agency to other Catholic adoption agencies. However other programs like “Play Therapy” have excelled and exceeded expectations for clients. The agency continues to provide services to inmates at the St. Clair County Intervention Center with funding from the County and Community Corrections. New contracts with the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative (MPRI) have increased services to released inmates with the goal of helping them make a positive and satisfactory adjustment back into the community without re-offending.
Funding has always been an issue for a small agency like CSS/St. Clair. Changes in funding streams, what is “popular” in Lansing or elsewhere have significant impact on the programs and services provided by CSS. The agency is somewhat unique to its business approach in that we provide a variety of programs and services which means that we “don’t have all our eggs in one basket” so to speak. This is by design; the Finance Committee and the Board made specific recommendations on how this was to be accomplished. In addition, with the advent of computerized billing, the agency is now able to bill quicker, with less errors or rejections and as a result, the receivables are significantly less with turnaround for payment cut significantly. While the agency still adheres to the philosophy of trying to help everyone that comes to our doors, we have taken an approach that embraces the belief that clients must be invested in their own treatment and so, we are more “assertive” in our assessment and collection of fees. The philosophy of “God will Provide” is still here but at the same time; the philosophy of “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves” is more a reality. For many years the agency received a $40,000 allocation from the CSA funds but the Archdiocese has had its own financial issues and has discontinued that allocation several years ago.
Over the past decade there have been philosophical changes in how the agency has been funded due to changes from governmental sources and insurance reimbursements. In previous years, Block Grants or Staffing Grants were the norm; meaning there was oversight and required reporting “tell us what you did with the funds” but not “outcome based objectives needing to be met”. Insurance companies were open and generous with “allowable benefits”. There was accountability and oversight but now, due to shrinking and limited financial resources, changes to grants and contracts or what insurance companies will accept; all have been changed to “outcome based” performance; meaning a philosophical change in how services are provided and funded. Now authorization for services has to be pre-authorized or acquired, treatment plans have to include “desired and documented measurable outcomes” and if services are to continue, continued authorization needs to be obtained “prior to continued service”. Defined outcome objectives regarding funds and clients; and limited allowance for administrative fees now are part of the everyday processes. More and more the funders are requiring more documentation to “ensure” that funded agencies are following proper outcome measures for both the agency and the client.
The agency has been fortunate to have such caring and supportive staff. In today’s economic climate of reducing benefits and other cost cutting measures, CSS has maintained staffing levels with long-time staff members and administrators. It is a true blessing to have such dedicated individuals who believe in the Mission of the Agency and believe in “Helping People to Help Themselves”. The State of Michigan now requires licensure of professional staff with annual Continuing Education as part of that licensure process. This requirement has been met by all professional the staff of CSS. Another change has been that the agency hired a CPA to oversee all of its accounting, billing, and financial operations. With the expertise of that individual and the diligence of the office staff, the agency has greater accuracy, greater documentation, and more accountability regarding all of its business operations.
Over the past several years, various fund raising events have happened and all have been successful: the CSS Golf Outing (2), The Red Wings Alumni Games (3), the Super Raffle (3) (former chairman of the board Mr. Bernard Kuhn donated a new car and CSS, Marydale and Mercy Hospital sold raffle tickets and the proceeds were split amongst the three agencies); the Grand Marshal’s Bowling Cup Challenge (as part of the Irish American Club’s Celtic Fest (3), and we are currently providing “The Best Dessert Contest in St. Clair County Contest” (2). All the funds received have gone to provide services for those clients that cannot afford to pay for services. Also a new initiative to re-start the Friends of Catholic Social Service was begun in 2009. So far, there are increasing numbers joining and the outlook for a larger membership looks promising.
The board continues to be a “governing board” and has continued its mission to be involved in the policy decisions of the agency. The members are very involved in the Mission of the agency and making sure the agency continues to help those in need. The board has been and continues to be a “community board” made of people from various religions, gender, walks of live, and regions of the county. It is with their dedication that together with the administration and staff that the agency continues to endure and prosper. In October of 2010, Ms. Karen Farr became only the second woman to lead the agency as chairperson of the board. Previously, Ms. Virginia Farmer was the only female chairperson of the board.
In December of 2008 Adam Cardinal Maida retired as spiritual leader of the Archdiocese. In January of 2009, Archbishop Allan Vigneron was installed the fifth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Again, due to tough economic times in the country and more specifically in the southeastern portion of the State of Michigan, the Archbishop is looking for ways that the Catholic Social Service agencies and other Catholic organizations can combine resources, talents, programs and services to meet the ever increasing demands of parishes and schools; while still being themselves, economically viable. He has directed that the various agencies come together, to find ways and means to provide services that will identify service gaps and find means to meet those needs. His eminence proposes this as an opportunity to help those in need and anticipates new initiatives in 2011.
Directors over the History of Catholic Social Services
During the time the agency has been opened there have been numerous men and women of the community that have given their time and talents as members of the agency’s Board of Directors. They are:
James Adair Bea Adamski Lyall Anderson
Frank Bacon Thomas Badley R. Gerald Barr
William Bastl Sr. Nancy Bauer Charles J. Beauvais, Jr.
Richard Bechnau Dr. Joseph Beers Susan Bell
Franklin Bennett Mary Berdan Dr. Charles Borden
Bernice Boughner Norman Bringard Barb Britz
Fr. Gerald Britz Barbara Cansfield Olga Cantu
Joseph Chaput Joan Cleary Robin Cloetens
Benjamin Cloetens Patrick Cogley Msgr. Thomas Connell
Monica Conroy Dee Copping Theresa Courtney
Dr. John Coury Alex Crittenden John Cummings
Dr. Christine Davidson Peter Deegan Nelson DeFord
Rev. Edward DeMars Armstead Diggs Dr. William Dinnen
Maureen Duncan Louis Dunn Mrs. Walter Endres
Craig Emerick Magdalene Engelgau Rev. Thomas Esper
Virginia Farmer Karen Farr Thomas Ferris
Dr. E. W. Fitzgerald, Sr. Raymond Foltz Theresa Francavilla
James Friederichs Shirley Fulton Rev. Joseph Gagnon
Ann Marie Ganhs Christopher Geffros Dr. Lisa Geffros
Charles Gentry Rev. Frederic George Frank Gerbig, Jr.
James Giffin Ann Marie Graber Jerry Grace
Mary Grace James Graw Raphael Graziadi
Mary Greene Eugene Grewe Barbara Hagen
Theodore Harvey Charles J. Hasse David R. Heyboer
George C. Higgins Rev. John R. Hogan Cora Hubble
Nigar Hussain Barbara Fisher Insley Howard Johnson
Susan Johnson Edward Kane John Kane
Ronald Kaski Patricia Kean Dennis Kearns
Thomas Kearns Vincent Kellerman Elaine Kempf
Elmer Kersten Katherine Kidd Elizabeth Kimball
George King Melvin Kircher Thermond Kirkland
Alice Klettner Judy Knowles C. Gerald Koerber
Marge Kopp Barbara Kostoff Bernard E. Kuhn
Donald Kullander Christine Lawrence Patricia Lawrence
Gary Leroy Doris M. Lindow Helen Lowenthal
Ralph Lozano Rev. William Lynch Bernard Lyons
Rev. Ben Markwell Sr. Rose Matthews Richard Maveety
Frank J. McCabe Madeline McCabe Mary McCabe
Joseph McCarthy, Jr. Mary McClelland John McColl
Rev. E. J. McCormick Frank McDonald Rev. Joseph McElgunn
David McHardy Elizabeth McKinley Mary Mechtenberg
Joseph Medellin Martin Merchant David Miles
Lou Pat Miller Mary Miller JoAnn Monoghan
John D. Monaghan Edward R. Moore Sr. Joanne Moore
Patrick Mullins John Needham Sr. Maureen Nolan
John O’Brien Jeremiah O’Connor Daniel O’Leary
Rev. James O’Mara James Opferman Donald Osterland
Clifford O’Sullivan Theresa O’Sullivan Robert L. Patterson
Mary Peloso Rev. William J. Pettit William Philippe
Jane Potts Wayne Pyden Dr. Michael Raftery
Rev. Edward Ritter Regina Rochon Ron Rose
Domingo A. Ruiz Dr. Edward Ryan Sr. Madeline Sage
Candy Salazar Diane Salo Gunter Schultz
Carl J. Schwedler James Sharkey John Shier
Howard Simpson Tom Simpson, Jr. Lynn Slaman
William Smiley Westcott T. Smith Jan Spillard
Edwin Steinmetz Lenora Stone Mary Streator
Joseph Streb Kenneth Stommel Louis Stverak
Doris Teachout Walter Teff Patrick Tierney
Fred J. Theison Leroy Tremp C.D. Tuer
Charles M. Valentine Carol Van Camp Peggy Vuylsteke
Sally Walsh Marjorie Ward Susan Ward
F. Granger Weil Louis A. Weil Rev. William F. Welch
Bert Wellman Philip Wells Helen Wendling
Dr. Daniel Wilhelm Yvonne Williams Leroy S. Wilson
Nicole Winston John F. Wismer Betsy White
John Wolf Thomas E. Woods, Jr. Grace Zapel
Rev. Stanley Wyczawski David Zanitsch
Chairpersons of the Board of Directors
Frank Gerbig, Jr. 1996-2000
Benjamin Cloetens 2000-2004
John D. Monaghan 2004-2006
Raymond Foltz 2006-2010
Karen Farr 2010-Present
Numerous staff members have served the agency
Scores of men and women have served Catholic Social Services and its predecessor in professional and nonprofessional capacities over its existence. They are:
Ivelisse Auffant, Lisa Arnett, Charles Ash, Belinda Barrett, Nellie Bartley, Johanna Bartsch, Todd Barless, Donald Bartz, Joe Bauer, Kristine Beerbower, Diane Bellack, Etan Ben-Ami, Mary Elizabeth Bennett, Dennis Bilina, Frank Bilodeau, Veronica Blake, Barbara Bledsoe, Kristy Block, Judy Blouin, Melissa, Boyd Pedrotti, Alice Brady, Melissa Brinley, Sister Grace Britz, Dorothy Bublitz, Walther Bradtke, Deborah Bular, Sandy Burns, and Joanne Byrne.
Frank Capitano, Patrick Carey, Cheryl Carpenter, Irene Carroll, Michael Caza, Marsha Caswell, Ann Caulfield, Paula Chermside, Harriet Chikowski, Edward “Chip” Cieslinski, Teresa Cieslinski, Kimberly Clinesmith, Paula Chermside, Kimberly Clinesmith, Bridget Cogley, Erin Cogley, Kathleen Cogley, Mary Fran Cogley, Patrick Cogley, Edward Cole, Maurice, Corriveau, Sarah Castillo, Amy Churchman, and Arvilla Craig.
Linda Daniel, Sandy Davis, Karen Dech, Amy DeLange, Mac Deuparo, John Dewitt, Sandy Diffin, Tina Dudzinski, Jacqueline Down, Paula Downing, Jim Dubray, Linda Duda, Tina Dudzinski, Robert Dundas, George Eches, Anna Eide, Dorothy Eifert, Philip Erickson, Rose Ernst, Stephanie Evans, Laurie Fagan, Steven Fair, Dr. Eric Fan, Mary Faulkner, Sally Francisco, Barbara Felio, Jo Ann Fiedler, Melinda Fields, John Fitzgerald, Phyllis Fleury, Dollie Fox, Sally Gallagher, Nancy Gaudette, Elien Gaw, Maxine Gelinski, Leona Geremesz, Audrey Georges, Camilla Gild, Susan Gill, Donna Gillespie, Patricia Gilroy, Nicole Goddard, David Goetze, Laurie Goetze, Andrea Goldsworthy, Irene Gonzales, Nicole Goddard, Julia Ann Goodman, Erin Gram, Teri Gregg, Susan Grewe, Becky Grindle, Dr. James Grosenback, and Jennifer Guizar
Jeffery Hadwin, Margaret Haggerty, Thomas Haggerty, Karlene Harbour, Ruth Harney, Susanne Hensen, Miss Herber, Denyse Heronemus, Lisa Herr, Barbara Hija, Pamela Hines, Joan Holmstrom Wilkinson, John Heidtke, Pat Henry, Bonnie Hoff, Fr. John Hogan, Karen Hollinger, Diana Horn Hopper, Linda Howard, Christina Rodgers Hudson, Debra Hunter, Dorothy Jazowski, Mrs. Jefferson, Ms. Johnson, Linda Jones, Miss Juntunen, Barbara Justin, Kimberly Hazel, Araceli Kakar, Roxanne Kam, Helen Karrer, Linda Kaslor, Dr. Austin Katz, Margaret Kearns Leahy, Thomas Keast, Carole Keeney, Tom Kehoe, Kathy Kelley, James King, Gloria Klinesteker, Patti Killborn, Elizabeth Kimball, Delphine Kolodziejski, Carol Koltunowicz, Michele Hosterman, Faith Koss, Carol Krainbrink, Rose Krausman, Dr. Deena Krauss, Allison Kress, H. Kent Krueger, Bonie Kreinbring, Dr. Rick James, and Kelly Junga.
Donna Lachniet, Kathleen Lalewicz, Elizabeth Lamb, Jennifer Lambe, Jolene Lepien-Doan, Daryl Larson, Theresa Lawson, Bernadette Le Bell, Dorothy Leroy, Mary Lewandowski, Linda Liethen, James D. Little, Andre Lupien, Dorothy Lyons, D. Mackie, Sr. Joanne Malane, Laura Martinez, Michelle Marsh, Lisa Martin, Tracy Matthews, Ed Matthews, Frieda McAvoy, Charles McCorkle, Rev. Jack McDonald, Pauline McElroy Mack, Gerald McNeely, Diana McShane, Dr. Nancy Marshall, Bea Medvedik, Kathleen Melick, Diane Melczarczyk, Randy Mey, Michael Meyer, Debra Mitchell, Dr. John Mitchell, Denis Miron Kivel, Debra Mitchell, Virginia Mix, Marion Mohan, Marielle Morin, Ronald Mortier, and Kay Motte.
Peter Neill, Barbara Nelson, Julie Niederhauser, Many Ann Nicholson, Paula Nunnold, Barbara Nurenberg, Megan O’Brien, Vicki Ordowski, Mary Ann Osterbeck, David Packenham, Linda Palazollo, Vicki Parker, Jacques Patry, Odette Peloso, Joyce Peretti, Raye Phillips, Susan Pobanz, Karen Pogue, Paula Porter, Kate Dunn-Powell, Agatha Powers, Stan Remple, Magnolia Richards, Lorrie Robinson, Kim Rotondi, Mary Rumbaugh, and Elizabeth Ryan.
Lori Sayenga, Monica Schmit, Noni Schultheiss, Jeanine Shankar, R. Timothy Shannon, Harold Shelby, Lisa Siedel, Nick Smith, Margaret Smith, Tanja Spencer, Aidani Spresser, Miss Stanley, Barbara Stocker, Barbara Suliot, Darlene Swiderski, Sandra Swidler, Niliane Swiger, Fred Theisen, Marinus Thoen, Mary Louise Thorton, Sue Toles, Alice Tribbs, Catherine Trudeau, Mary Townsend, Irene Tunison, Linda Vantuyl, Mrs. Van Nest, Christine Verdin, Mary Viscomi, Bronwyn Watson, Cheryl Wedge, Laura Welser, Sandra Wentzel, Danny White, Cynthia Wilcome, William White, Patricia Wilky, Cindy Willey-King, Margaret Wilson, Cindy Winstead, Carol Woodward, Kristi Woodward, Judy Wurtsmith, Beverly Wyskiel, John Wyskiel, Beverly Zambrowski, Julie Zarske, and Deborah ZurSchmiede.
(Note: Every effort has been made to make the foregoing list as complete as possible. But errors in such a compilation are almost inevitable. Catholic Social Services will be grateful for any corrections to this list.)