President of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Paterson Receives Community Cornerstone Award

Award to be presented on June 23 at the 75^th Anniversary Celebration!

Paterson, NJ: Joseph T. Duffy, President of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Paterson, has been named United Way of Passaic County’s (UWPC) 2009 Community Cornerstone. The award, UWPC’s highest honor, will be presented at United Way’s 75^th Anniversary Celebration! on June 23, 10 a.m. at Hamilton & Ward Steakhouse in Paterson.

The Community Cornerstone Award is presented each year to an individual who exemplifies a lifetime of service and dedication to the community. Prior recipients include Rev. Patricia Bruger (CUMAC/ECHO), Georgette Hauser (Memorial Day Nursery); Maureen Peterson (Children’s Day Nursery & Family Center); Dolores Colucci-Healy (Boys & Girls Club of Clifton); Abraham Davis (Jewish Family and Children’s Services); Ken Wessel (Home Care Options); Peter Thornton (Boys & Girls Club of Paterson); James Seath (The ARC of Bergen/Passaic); and Carey Jenkins (Operation Link-Up).

“Joe Duffy is a relentless advocate for individuals whom our society would otherwise leave behind,” said Yvonne Zuidema, United Way of Passaic County’s President. “His focus on solving root causes of poverty and moving people toward self-sufficiency exemplifies what it means to Live United.”

As the President of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Paterson, which serves all of Morris, Passaic and Sussex Counties, Joseph T. Duffy is a committed social servant focused on providing targeted services that address the needs of families, individuals and groups, especially the poor. Mr. Duffy serves as President of the Boards of Trustees of the six Catholic Charities Agencies in the Diocese that includes Catholic Family and Community Services, the Father English Community Center, Hispanic Information Center of Passaic, Hope House, Department for Persons with Disabilities and Straight & Narrow.  As well, he is responsible for the Diocese’s Parish Nursing and Migrant Ministry programs.  Catholic Charities serves over 80,000 people annually and administers a budget of $57 million with a paid staff of over 1,000 and as many volunteers.

Prior to returning to Catholic Charities from which he left in 1975 Duffy worked 21 years at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson where he served as Vice President for Ambulatory and Long-Term Care.

Other items on United Way’s June 23 event program include award presentations to Community Leaders Rita Kelly (Catholic Family + Community Service) and Donna Nelson Ivy (City of Paterson); 2011 Health Champion Representative Bill Pascrell; 2011 Income Champion Wells Fargo and 2011 Education Champion PSEG Foundation.

The proceeds from this year’s event will support United Way of Passaic County’s Community Impact Fund that focuses on Health, Education, and Income related programs.

Tickets and Sponsorships are available for purchase online by visiting http://75thanniversary.eventbrite.com/ or by calling Jackie Park Albaum at (973) 279-8900 Ext. 202.

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ABOUT US: United Way of Passaic County envisions a community where every child is ready to succeed in school, every person can meet their most basic needs and everyone can pursue productive and satisfying lives. The organization is committed to creating lasting change - from our Financial Empowerment Zone to our Hunger-Free Communities work. United Way of Passaic County is uniquely positioned to leverage its own health and human services expertise, a powerful base of donors and volunteers, public advocacy and outcome-driven funding to help identify and solve chronic community wide issues within our region. For more information go to the website, www.unitedwaypassaic.org.

75 Years of Serving Passaic County.

PATERSON, NJ – United Way of Passaic County will celebrate 75 years of bringing caring people together to give, volunteer and take action to help those in need on Thursday, June 23^rd at Hamilton & Ward in Paterson. The Annual Celebration Brunch brings together supporters and United Way partners to honor the works of people and organizations that have had a positive impact on the community.

The following awards will be given given to the individuals and organizations that truly embody what it means to LIVE UNITED in Passaic County:

Community Cornerstone Award

United Way is proud to announce this year’s Community Cornerstone Awardee Joseph F. Duffy, President of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Paterson. This award, United Way of Passaic County’s highest honor, is given to an individual who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to community service. Past recipients have included Robert Parker (New Bridge Services), Rev Patricia Bruger (CUMAC-ECHO), Carey Jenkins (Operation Link-Up) and James Seath (ARC Bergen-Passaic County).

2011 Financial Stability Partnership Champion

This award celebrates an organization or individual that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to increasing the financial stability of the community it serves.  The 2011 Income Champion award will be presented to Wells Fargo Bank in recognition of their outstanding commitment to United Way’s Financial Empowerment Zone.

2011 Education Champion

This award celebrates an organization or individual that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to increasing educational opportunities in Passaic County. The 2011 Education Champion Award will be presented to PSEG Foundation in recognition of their continuous support of United Way Building Young Tomorrow’s project that provides meaningful after-school engagement opportunities for school age children.

2011 Health Champion

This award celebrates an organization or individual that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to increasing the community’s opportunity to live a healthy lifestyle.

The 2011 award recipient will be presented to U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. With his ongoing support United Way of Passaic County was able to secure the prestigious Hunger-Free Community grant from the USDA.

Community Leader

These individuals have given their time, talent and resources to make a difference in the lives of others. Their good works will have a lasting impact in community and have contributed greatly to advancing the common good for all. The 2011 award recipients are Rita Kelly, Catholic Family + Community Services and Donna Nelson Ivy, City of Paterson.

Philanthropic Champions

This award is given to individuals and companies in Passaic County that exhibit an extraordinary commitment to helping Passaic County and its residents.  The 2011 Philanthropic Champions are ADP, BAE Systems, Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, Boys & Girls Club of Paterson/Passaic, Children’s Day Nursery & Family Center, Costco, City of Paterson, Enterprise, Greater Paterson OIC, Homecare Options, Johnson & Johnson, JP Morgan Chase, Roche, State Farm, Target Stores, TD Bank and UPS.

The proceeds from this year’s event will support United Way of Passaic County’s Community Impact Fund that focuses on Health, Education, and Income related programs.

Tickets and Sponsorships are available for purchase online by visiting http://75thanniversary.eventbrite.com/ or by calling Jackie Park Albaum at (973) 279-8900 Ext. 202.