Catholic Charities USA today presented its 2009 National Volunteer of the Year Award, Family Strengthening Awards, Bishop Sullivan Award, and Arnold Andrews Award for Collaborative Excellence. The awards were presented at the 2009 Catholic Charities USA Annual Gathering on the eve of its 2010 Centennial Celebration year.

The awards symbolize Catholic Charities USA's rich history of volunteer service and performance. They are a tribute to the compassion of local Catholic Charities agencies and people as they provide help and create hope for 8.5 million individuals each year. In 2010, as part of the Centennial, Catholic Charities USA will conduct a series of Centennial Leadership Summits in various cities across the country to engage others in the work to reduce poverty in America.

"Congratulations and a heartfelt thanks to these wonderful individuals who provide witness of God's preferential love for the poor and vulnerable in our society," said Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA. "They are truly doing God's work, delivering help and creating hope day-in and day-out, without seeking anything in return."

Volunteer of the Year Award

This year, Catholic Charities USA honored co-winners who made outstanding contributions at local agencies: Dr. William Rainford, Ph.D., M.S.W., associate professor and chair, Master of Social Work program, Boise State University, for his tireless work on behalf of Catholic Charities of Idaho; and a trio of dedicated women--Elsa Amboy, Melissa Kreisa, and Andrea Lee--for their refugee work with Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, in San Jose, CA.

Dr. William Rainford has devoted much of his life and career to community organizing and advocacy and serves as the lead legislative advocacy volunteer for Catholic Charities of Idaho and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Idaho.

The commitment of Elsa Amboy, Melissa Kreisa, and Andrea Lee has allowed Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County in San Jose, CA, to create a broader network of support and community for newly arrived refugees. The agency has been recognized as one of the leading refugee resettlement agencies in the county and is the only agency authorized to resettle refugees who do not have an "anchor"(i.e. a family relative) in the community.

Family Strengthening Awards

Catholic Charities USA honored three outstanding programs within the Catholic Charities network that demonstrate excellence in support of families and the communities in which they live: Luther Burbank Family Resource Center, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, San Jose, CA; Family Strengthening Program Catholic Charities, Green Bay, WI; and El Centro Family Center Catholic Charities, Hartford, CT.

Each winning agency received a $25,000 award and will host a site visit and peer technical assistance program to describe and discuss their winning model with the Catholic Charities network.

Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Award

Catholic Charities USA honored Mr. Harold Smith, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Baltimore 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.

Mr. Smith has spent 35 years at the agency, 33 years as its Executive Director. Under his visionary leadership, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Baltimore has developed groundbreaking facilities and programs for people living in poverty; a network of programs for children and families; 19 senior living communities for low-income seniors as well as an assisted living facility and a nursing/rehabilitation center.

Arnold Andrews Award for Collaborative Excellence

Ministering Together presented the Arnold Andrews Award for Collaborative Excellence to Faith Community Support Circle Program for Homeless Families, a program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh.

Faith Community Support Circle is an effort of the Raleigh/Wake 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness and various faith communities in Wake County, NC, whose goal is to engage members of congregations to end homelessness by partnering with individuals and families to assist them in their transition from homeless shelters into permanent housing.

Catholic Charities USA's members--more than 1,700 local Catholic Charities agencies and institutions nationwide--provide help and create hope for 8.5 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.