Noteworthy News
Catholic Charities would like for you to know about what exciting things are happening or will be happening in the life of our ministry. Please find noteworthy news below beginning with the most recent. If you need further assistance, or would like to contact someone regarding news inquiries, please >> click here.
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Kathleen McGowan Executive Director |
12/09 Catholic Charities Executive Director Announces Retirement |
After 15 years as executive director for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet, Kathleen McGowan announced her retirement from the agency effective June 2010. McGowan has spent more than 40 years with Catholic Charities as she previously held several positions with Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Chicago before assuming the executive director position in the Joliet Diocese.
During her tenure, McGowan has helped the agency grow from a 7 million dollar budget to a budget that currently exceeds 20 million and offers nearly 70 different programs in Will, Grundy, Kendall, DuPage, Kankakee, Ford and Iroquois Counties. The agency serves 60,000 persons annually.
Under her direction, the agency successfully implemented initiatives resulting in increased services and housing options for the homeless, expansion of Head Start and child care services to low-income families, and the opening of an office in Morris to better serve the residents of Grundy County. McGowan was also instrumental in establishing the agency’s first endowment fund and securing national accreditation with the Council on Accreditation of Services for Children and Families, which reflects the professionalism and quality of services delivered at the agency.
“Kathy has devoted herself tirelessly to both strengthening our agency and expanding it to meet community needs in the name of Christ. We will always be indebted to her for the extraordinary leadership she has given in our Diocese,” said J. Peter Sartain, Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, in a letter he recently sent to Diocesan staff.
“I owe Catholic Charities a debt of gratitude for the opportunities and experiences I have had,” said McGowan. “God has blessed me and I hope I have been able to return the blessings to our staff, board, donors, and especially those we serve”.
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Bishop J. Peter Sartain of Joliet Diocese, Lori Spesia and Kathleen McGowan, Executive Director Catholic Charities of Joliet Diocese |
9/13/09 The Spirit of Charity Award |
Doug and Lori Spesia embody the mission of Catholic Charities and on September 13, 2009 they were presented with the Spirit of Charity Award at the Annual Major Donor Mass and Breakfast with the Bishop. The award was presented to Lori Spesia by Bishop J. Peter Sartain and Executive Director Kathleen McGowan as she was surrounded by 29 of her children and grandchildren, and nearly 100 other guests. Sadly, her husband, Doug, was unable to attend the event, but his presence was strongly felt and acknowledged by all who attended.
“Lori gave me the lay of the land, introduced me to community leaders and unofficially and unobtrusively held my hand,” said McGowan as she reminisced about her first day on the job nearly 15 years ago. Lori Spesia served on the Board of Directors for many years and was instrumental in helping McGowan learn about the many programs Catholic Charities was operating at the time. McGowan talked about the couple’s unending generosity and their support of Daybreak Center, Catholic Charities’ homeless shelter in Joliet. “Doug and Lori care deeply about the people served at Daybreak and always want to do more. Through the years they have not only given people in crisis a place to live, but they have given them hope,” said McGowan.