Catholic Charities USA Presents Service Awards at Centennial Gathering

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catholic Charities USA, the 100-year-old social service network working to reduce poverty in America, today presented its Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan and 2010 Family Strengthening  Awards at a breakfast ceremony during the organization's Centennial Gathering. The awards symbolize Catholic Charities USA's rich history of service in support of children and families.

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Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Award

Catholic Charities USA posthumously honored Sr. Maureen Joyce as this year's recipient of the Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Award. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated excellence, creativity, and leadership in service delivery to children and their families.

Sr. Maureen Joyce served as director of Catholic Charities in Albany, NY, for 20 years, working on behalf of the poor, the homeless, immigrants and people suffering from HIV/AIDS. She was instrumental in establishing two innovative networks reflective of the needs of contemporary society: a health alliance partnering with parishes, schools, Catholic Charities, hospitals and long term care facilities and a public policy education network addressing political responsibility and advocacy for the poor.

"Sr. Maureen's spirit will live on as shining example of the mission of Catholic Charities USA. It is truly an honor to remember her with this prestigious award," said Fr. Snyder.

Sr. Maureen passed away in May 2010 after a 10-month battle with cancer. The award was accepted on her behalf by Bishop Howard Hubbard, Diocese of Albany.

Family Strengthening Awards

In partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Family Strengthening Awards recognize outstanding programs within the Catholic Charities network that demonstrate excellence in support of families and the communities in which they live.

"By connecting families to the support and opportunities that they need to be economically stable, these programs are helping people build better lives and, as a result, strengthening communities across the country. We need more programs like these to reach our goal to reduce poverty in America by 50 percent by 2010," said Rev. Larry Snyder, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA.

The recipients of the 2010 Family Strengthening Program Awards will receive $25,000 to invest in their programs. They will also host a site visit and peer technical assistance program to describe and discuss their winning model with the Catholic Charities network.

-- Refugee Youth Program

Catholic Charities of Tennessee, Inc.

The program provides after-school, summer, casework, school preparation and family enrichment services to children and their families and strives to make self-sufficiency and empowerment a goal of the entire family, not just the individual child.

-- El Centro de Recursos Para Familias

Catholic Charities, Trenton, NJ

This multi-service family resource center strengthens vulnerable Latino families by providing support services and connecting them in a culturally appropriate way with people and institutions from the greater community to address their varying needs.

-- Skagit Family Farmworker Housing

Catholic Housing Services of Western Washington

Catholic Community Services of Western, WA

The goal of the Skagit Family Farmworker Housing is to strengthen low income, Latino farmworker families as they move towards economic self-sufficiency. The program started with the purchase of 10 units over ten years ago and to date the agency owns and operates 105 units of farmworker housing in the County.

Catholic Charities USA was founded in 1910 "to bring about a sense of solidarity" among those in charitable ministries. Since 1910, Catholic Charities USA has encouraged professional social work practice, provided opportunities for training and networking, and served as a national voice and expert on poverty issues. The Centennial is a time to reflect on past accomplishments and renew the commitment to serve those in need.

For more information about Catholic Charities USA's Centennial activities, visit http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/centennial.

 Catholic Charities USA's members provide help and create hope for more than 9 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. For almost 300 years, Catholic Charities agencies have worked to reduce poverty by providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from health care and job training to food and housing. In 2010, Catholic Charities USA celebrates its centennial anniversary.

SOURCE Catholic Charities USA