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Len Marabella, Executive Director of Catholic Charities spoke from his heart and head, without notes or Powerpoint. Initially attracted to Catholic Charities as a volunteer and admirer of his wife's experience the agency, Len became more engaged and eventually was asked to act as Interim Director. The dedication he saw in other volunteers and employees inspired him to accept their offer as Executive Director 3.5 years ago. Today Catholic Charities focus is on three areas: Challenging Poverty, Immigration Advocacy, and Support for Seniors. With stable housing an integral foundation of their strategy, the agency operates a variety of programs to transition people to sustainable shelter. Their busiest is the Family Services Center on 8th Street, which can serve 138 family members. In 8 different locations, food and secure shelter is offered. Len has witnessed the reduction of homeless persons from a high of 4,200 to 2,700 over the past four years. Anglie Moeller, Director of Advancement and Communication amplifies Len's enthusiasm for the "good spirit" felt in the room and expressed by her agency. Helping immigrants find their legal path to citizenship, and knowing their rights is the goal of the immigration services.Last year 258 clients became US citizens. Senior Support Services include Day Care respite centers and daily welfare calls to the homebound. Last year 35,000 call were made, checking in on those isolation cold generate depression. One of Len's proudest accomplishments is the organization's reduction of unstable housing from 6 months to 60 days. He sees this largely a result of a strategic orientation, and developing partnerships for long-term solutions and creative approaches such as The Palms multi-service residential center on Santa Rosa Avenue. Following our recent fires, FEMA's Local Resource Center was partially staffed by Catholic Charities volunteers. Helping the vulnerable and those less fortunate echoes the call of Pope Francis Len recalled. He also asserted that volunteers always get more out of what they do than what they think they put in.
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