Past Honorees
2009 Honorees
Lynne M. Cooper and DOORWAYS, St. Louis Missouri
Care and advocacy for those with AIDS
Lynne is the founder and President of Doorways, an interfaith AIDS housing and services organization dedicated to providing compassionate care for clients for more than twenty years.
"Lynne had a dream--a dream tht no more people infected with HIV/AIDS would be forced to live in substandard housing and stripped of every shred of human dignity," says Sister Loretta Costa, CSJ. "Out of her dream, DOORWAYS was born."
Richard D. Egan, Sister Bay, Wisconsin
Advocacy for the poor, marginated and underserved
Richard is the founder and ongoing supporter of FUVIRESE in Baños, Ecuador. This organization serves people, especially children, hidden by society because of their disabilities. Sister Mary McGlone, CSJ, is the Executive Director.
"Mr Egan's support has allowed FUVIRESE to be more visible and receive additional aid from the government and other sources," says Sister Mary McGlone, CSJ, executive director of FUVIRESE USA, Inc. "For the people of FUVIRESE, the best days of the year are those when Dick visits them in Banos. He loves the people as much as they love him."
John M. Ringwald, St. Louis, Missouri
Care and advocacy for older persons
John is the chairperson of the Nazareth Living Center Board of Trustees and an integral part of sustaining, advancing and advocating for premier care for aging persons.
"John has a real committment to older people," says Lu Westhoff, executive director of CSJ sponsored Nazareth Living Center. "He was taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph, who are very near and dear to his heart. Serving on the Nazareth Board is his way to give back."
2008 Honorees
Ruben Garcia, Director and Co-Founder of Annunciation House, El Paso, Texas
Ruben Garcia has made it his life's ministry to serve the needs of the immigrant at Annunciation House, providing hospitality to close to 100,000 immigrants, refugees and undocumented persons from Mexico, Central America and 40 other countries.
Marie Kenyon, Managing Attorney of Catholic Legal Assistance Ministry, Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Marie Kenyon has provided legal services to low income clients through St. Louis City and 10 surrounding counties since 1987, heping in both civil and immigration matters.
Robert G. Frazier, Executive Vice President, Mission and Community Services, Carondelet Health, Kansas City, Missouri
Robert Frazier is well knows and loved in the Kansas City community for his dedication to serving others in ways that foster unity, respect and justice, including with his work for Carondelet Health, Catholic education and in the formation of Catholic Charities in Kansas City.
2007 Honorees
Michelle Schiller-Baker, Founder/Executive Director of St. Martha's Hall, St. Louis, Missouri
Through St. Martha's Hall, a shelter for abused women and their children, Michelle Schiller-Baker has helped families heal from spousal abuse and empower them to change the course of their lives.
Hon. Judge Philip D. Heagney, Circuit Judge 22nd Judicial Circuit of Missouri
Judge Phillip D. Heagney serves from the bench in a manner that respects all. He was the first judge to give women the opportunity to offer women defendants the opportunity to choose to participate in a rehabilitation program rather than serve a jail sentence.
