Updated 7/8/25, 10:45 a.m., to correct title in ninth paragraph.
David Kinkopf’s first day as executive director of Catholic Charities of Baltimore began July 1 with shy waves from preschoolers and ended with a cheerful new nickname – “Big Boss” – as he toured several of the organization’s programs across the region.
Although Kinkopf had previously shadowed former Executive Director William J. McCarthy Jr. during visits to sites in Western Maryland and Harford County, for Tuesday’s visits he was flying solo. He made stops at the Head Start Arundel Site, Esperanza Center in Fells Point, Our Daily Bread Employment Center in Baltimore, and Gallagher Services’ Meaningful Day Program in Timonium.
“I’m taking it all in,” Kinkopf said. “Today is a little more jam-packed and hands on. I’m really getting out and seeing the programs.”
The day started at the Head Start Arundel Site, where Kinkopf greeted the young participants and their families as they arrived before settling down to read “The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark” by Ken Geist. Kinkopf told the 3- and 4-year-olds he used to read books to his children, including his daughter, Catherine, 24, who accompanied him during his visit to Head Start Arundel Site.
“That was the best,” he said.
Head Start of Baltimore City provides early childhood and family development services for low-income families throughout the year. At the Arundel Site, three classrooms with 15 children each were open for the summer.
“It is really nice (that) the new executive director started his day with the Head Start program,” said Noureen Zar, education coordinator for Head Start of Baltimore City. “Head Start is one of the most important parts of Catholic Charities.”
From there, Kinkopf traveled to Esperanza Center, where he observed adult English for Speakers of Other Languages classes and visited the legal services office where immigrants can find help with legal assistance, health care and education.
“I can’t believe on his first day he is coming to my tiny program,” said Diana L. Siemer, education manager of the Esperanza Center. “I’m pretty excited. He is truly interested in my program.”
Siemer explained that the ESOL classes have evolved from paper-and-pencil formats to virtual learning during the pandemic, and now to a smaller, more formal classroom setting.
“We can’t serve as many people, but we’re doing it better,” Siemer said.
At Our Daily Bread Employment Center, Kinkopf donned a hair net and plastic gloves to serve lunch alongside longtime volunteers and sisters Susan Pearl, of Reisterstown, and Carol Zuckerman, of Finksburg. The sisters, who are Jewish, first started volunteering on Christmas Day years ago. They became regular Tuesday volunteers when they retired in June, according to Zuckerman.
“Our Daily Bread is very well run,” Zuckerman said. “Everyone here is so kind.”
“Today is another example of volunteer opportunities. There are lots of great opportunities for people who want to get involved,” Kinkopf said. “It is a blessing to be able to do this. It is very rewarding. Doing it with family is a nice way to do it.”
For 40 years, the center has served lunch seven days a week and breakfast five days a week, according to Erika M. Jones, program director, community services, for Our Daily Bread. She noted that the meal distribution was just one part of the services Our Daily Bread offers.
“We do a lot under this roof,” she said before leading Kinkopf upstairs to visit the Christopher Place Employment Academy, where men commit to a one-year residential program that provides training, counseling and job skills to help them become employed full time.
After having lunch at the academy, Kinkopf stopped to see the nonprofit’s mental health clinic.
“One of the things that really strikes you is how broad the reach of Catholic Charities is,” Kinkopf said. “It touches so many lives.”
For his last stop of the day, Kinkopf visited Gallagher Services’ A Meaningful Day program in Timonium, which helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live the life of their choice. Communicating those desires is not easy, according to Kevin M. Keegan, director of the family services division.
“To help them do that, that’s the challenge that we try to do every day,” Keegan said. “The staff is amazing. It is a hard job.”
Kinkopf played Bingo with a group that included Brian Feher, who gave Kinkopf a new title upon learning who he was.
“Mr. Bill no more,” Feher said. “Dave, Big Boss.”
As Catholic Charities new “Big Boss,” Kinkopf said he has a “great team” watching over current events, including the Senate’s passage of President Donald Trump’s spending bill that would slash funds to the Medicaid health program and food aid.
“There is a lot of uncertainty,” Kinkopf admitted. “It is a challenge to plan. We’re going to keep serving people as best as we can.”
He noted that Catholic Charities recently celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023.
“It is nice being part of something bigger. It defines who we are, how we do things and our values,” Kinkopf said. “If we stay true to those, it will guide us in any challenging time.”
Email Katie V. Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org
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