As nearly 1,000 people gathered for the Catholic Charities Gala 2024 at the Washington Hilton on April 20, Jim Malloy, the agency’s president and CEO, noted how fitting the gala’s theme, “Together Forward,” was.
“We truly work together to make a lasting difference in the lives of our clients,” he said.
Malloy, who had a 36-year career with the U.S. Navy before retiring as a vice admiral, began leading Catholic Charities this past July, succeeding Msgr. John Enzler, who continues to serve as its mission advocate while serving as a chaplain at his alma mater, St. John’s College High School in Washington.
At the gala, Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory expressed gratitude to people for their support of Catholic Charities, which he noted has a legacy of service that dates to 1929, extending from the Great Depression to the digital age.
“Catholic Charities is reliably providing daily, indispensable assistance and care as the helping and loving hand at a pivotal moment when people are struggling to maintain hope,” he said.
Praising the work of Catholic Charities’ leader and its volunteers, staff and supporters, the cardinal said, “Now with Jim Malloy in his first year at the helm, Catholic Charities continues to move forward, faithfully responding to others with compassion and action – thanks to your generous support and the incredible work of Jim’s dedicated team of staff and volunteers, all coming together to make this Gospel ministry of encounter and accompaniment possible.”
In a prayer, Cardinal Gregory thanked God “for the gift of Catholic Charities as they work to provide help that empowers and hope that lasts as the Washington area’s most comprehensive social services provider – respectfully responding to Your call to each of us to love our neighbor.”
Malloy in his remarks also thanked those who together make Catholic Charities’ outreach possible. “We gather this evening to acknowledge those needs in our community, recognize and celebrate the extraordinary work of our staff and volunteers, and pass along our deep appreciation for the generous and caring hearts of our donors,” he said.
Catholic Charities’ Gala 2024 raised more than $3.15 million. The 39th annual gala was chaired by three couples, Vince and Kate Burke, Billy and Egan Cannon, and Dave and Regina DiLuigi. Guests were welcomed by John Veihmeyer, the chair of Catholic Charities’ Board of Directors. Michael Steele, the vice-chair of its board, helped lead a Fund-the-Mission fundraising drive at the dinner.
In remarks at the gala, Dave DiLiugi, one of the gala co-chairs and a Catholic Charities’ board member, noted, “With empathy, generosity and care, Catholic Charities served more than 200,000 people last year.” He said Catholic Charities’ staff and volunteers, in serving those in need in the Washington area, are living out what Jesus said in Matthew’s Gospel, “Whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me.”
During the last fiscal year, Catholic Charities with its 47 programs in 29 locations in the Archdiocese of Washington:
- served more than 3.7 million meals;
- provided medical and dental assistance to 7,712 people, and pro bono legal services to 1,789 low-income individuals and families, with those pro bono services to clients worth $2.12 million;
- gave employment support and job training to 1,557 adults;
- provided assistance to 227 children and adults with developmental disabilities, and 2,663 individuals were served by its behavioral health programs.
Catholic Charities’ 3,640 volunteers contributed more than 75,000 hours of service, and 7,500 individuals and organizations made gifts in support of Catholic Charities.
Reflecting on his first 10 months leading the agency, Malloy said he has seen the positive impact of Catholic Charities “from working the food line at St. Maria’s Meals to stocking grocery packages at the SHARE Food Network to spending time with the staff and residents at shelter,” as it continues to bring help and hope to neighbors in need.
The Navy veteran added, “Bottom line – I can report that our ship is on course. We are positioned well to continue to do the essential social work of our archdiocese, thanks to the vision and strong foundation laid by my predecessor, but still our champion, advocate and pastor to the poor, Msgr. (Father John) Enzler.”
Catholic Charities’ 40th annual gala is scheduled for April 5, 2025.
In an interview before the gala started, Sister Romana Uzodimma, a member of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus who serves as the senior program manager for Catholic Charities Health Care Network, noted how the network’s 250 volunteers make a “huge difference” in the lives of the patients whom they serve.
“They participate in this mission of love we do at Catholic Charities,” she said.
Sister Romana added, “Everyone who volunteers and works for Catholic Charities is a hero… They’re seeing others first, that’s what they’re doing. That’s what Jesus did.”
In an interview during the gala, Kathleen McGuan, a semi-retired lawyer who volunteers with Catholic Charities’ Immigration Legal Services program, said, “When I was working for a big law firm, my clients were from big corporations. Now it’s one person, I can look them in the eye. They want to apply for asylum. They’ve been persecuted for political beliefs in their country, and I can help them.”
Reflecting on the clients she serves with Catholic Charities, McGuan said, “They have risked everything to come here, often walking across Central America. All they want to do is work. They have great faith. They believe if they have faith and work hard, anything is possible. They inspire me.”
Also interviewed was Amanda Chesney, the executive director of Catholic Charities’ housing and shelter programs, who noted that the agency’s six homeless shelters – including three shelters for men, two women’s shelters and a shelter serving families – serve about 1,200 people every night.
She praised “the resiliency of the people we serve,” adding that their “persistence in difficult times is very inspiring.”
Reflecting on her approach to that outreach, Chesney said, “I try to lead with my heart,” and she said the staff and volunteers at the shelters care about the people they are serving.
“We’re sheltering them, but our aim is to exit them into permanent housing,” she said, adding that to her, it’s a sacred moment when people find housing after a long struggle with homelessness.
She described a time when she was filling in as a case manager, and a man told her that he had a place to live, after about nine years of being homeless. “We stayed there and cried a little for his triumph,” Chesney said, adding, “That’s what keeps me in my work.”
For information on Catholic Charities and ways to volunteer and support its outreach, go to www.catholiccharitiesdc.org.
