CCS recognizes humanitarians for their support

Intermountain Catholic

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CCS Director of Immigration and Refugee Services Adan Batar (right) receives the Award of Excellence 2008 Employee of the Year Award from the United States Conferences of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Migration and Refugee Services. Lisa Fisher (center) from USCCB and Bishop John C. Wester presented the award.

SALT LAKE CITY — Catholic Community Services (CCS) gave special honor to six humanitarians for their generosity, support, and their services at the Humanitarian Awards Dinner at Little America Hotel Nov. 20.

American Express received the Corporate Partner award for community development. The 4th Street Clinic received the Community Partner award. Ruth and Clint Lewis received the Unsung Heros award. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints received the Humanitarian Services award. Cathedral of the Madeleine Parishioner Irene Sweeney received the Humanitarian of the Year Award.

"I would like to acknowledge and thank from the bottom of my heart, the presence of President Thomas Monson, who is with us tonight," said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. "He has been with us faithfully year-in and year-out. He is with us tonight as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His position is one of great honor and we respect him deeply."

Community advocate for the poor Pamela Atkinson was the chairwoman of the dinner committee and emceed this event. The George S. and Delores Dore Eccles Foundation, the McCarthey Family Foundation, Jon and Karen Huntsman, and Weight Watchers of Salt Lake underwrote the dinner.

The choristers of the Madeleine Choir School were a highlight presentation with music they preformed during their recent trip to Spain.

"We are very fortunate to have the talents of the board members at CCS," said Larry Page, president of CCS Board of Trustees. "Tonight we come together to honor you and your support of CCS. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the staff, we thank you for your support, prayers, and for your donations over the past 65 years. Tonight we need to remember Maggie St. Claire, former CCS executive director, for years of service to CCS and leadership. She retired for health reasons. Some of the things that came to be under Maggie’s stewardship, with your help, were the development of the northern Utah food bank, the new home for CCS, the branding of CCS, and the many hours that Maggie talked to you face-to-face. Thank you for everything that you have done for CCS."

Atkinson introduced Brad Drake, CCS executive director as a man who has a passion for the work that CCS is involved in, in all of our communities. He has a passion for the CCS staff who deliver services and the CCS recipients of those services.

"When I came on board we introduced a slogan, ‘Every day in every way, we get a little better.’ Through the professionalism, the loyalty, and the dedication, of this great staff, I testify to everyone here tonight, every way, every day, CCS gets better.

Aden Batar, CCS director of Immigration and Refugee Services received an Award of Excellence 2008 Employee of the Year.

Batar has been with CCS since 1996. He was a Somalian refugee and he is nationally recognized as an outstanding advocate for refugees. Lisa Fisher from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCC) and Bishop Wester presented Batar with the award.

Batar received the award for his professional record of accomplishments, personal commitment, and tireless service. He gives hundreds of refugees hope and a future they would not otherwise have without his assistance.

More than 100,000 individuals are served through the generosity of the American Express Center for Community Development (CCD). Employees working in connection with the CCD volunteer thousands of hours annually to non-profit organizations like CCS to serve low and moderate income populations.

Community Partner Fourth Street Clinic helps homeless Utahns improve their health and quality of life by providing health care and supportive services. With consistent health care, their patients live longer and healthier lives, and often find the hope necessary to break the homeless cycle.

Bountiful residents, and Cathedral of the Madeleine parishioners, Ruth and Clint Lewis are Unsung Heroes. They are always there when there is a need to be filled; whether it is at Saint Vincent de Paul dining hall serving food, volunteering at the Madeleine Choir School, coordinating adult education at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, or sponsoring people in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adult (RCIA) Program.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Services provides food for Saint Vincent de Paul dining hall, Saint Mary’s Home for Men, and the CCS Northern Utah food bank. They provide furniture and lines for Saint Mary’s Home for Men, and provide CCS with vouchers for Deseret Industries.

Irene Sweeney, a Cathedral of the Madeleine parishioner is 93 years young. She is well known in the community for her organizing skills and her deep faith and generosity. She is devoted to the Cathedral, and until recently served as an usher. She first came to Utah in 1951, to begin a state chapter of the League of Women Voters, and since then has served on boards of many charitable organizations. Her dedication to CCS has meant years of service.

Inspired by Charles Dickens, she vowed to help the less fortunate. She began with the Saint Vincent de Paul Resource Committee. It was her idea to utilize volunteers to serve the daily hot lunches, which are currently up to 1,000. She serves on the Catholic Foundation of Utah and many advisory and charitable boards.