A group of students at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn was among four service providers recognized by Catholic Charities during a Nov. 7-11 virtual celebration.
The students were honored with the Anne Lindsey Otenasek Youth Service Award for their commitment to families experiencing homelessness or in need of emergency shelter in Anne Arundel County. Spalding students have volunteered at Sarah’s House for more than a decade, providing dinners to residents the first Sunday of every month, according to a Catholic Charties news release.
“It’s a tradition that began at least 15 years ago, where our students prepare, deliver and serve meals to residents at Sarah’s House,” said Archbishop Spalding High School Campus Minister Nicole Trumpler. “Throughout the pandemic, we continued to support and serve Sarah’s House although we pivoted to a deliver-only method. Our students are constantly asking when they will be able to return to serving residents in-person, because they miss sitting with the families and forming those bonds.”
Volunteers range in age from 14 to 18, and participate in various school activities, including the music honor society and field hockey.
“There were several times during our days of in-person meals where members of our music honor society wrapped dinner service with an impromptu mini-concert,” Trumpler said. “It seems that everyone loves to hear uplifting songs, especially during the holiday season.”
In addition to preparing and serving meals for residents, students also assist at the After School Program, where they tutor young residents, help with homework, or help prepare flashcards for residents with upcoming exams.
“Our work simply knows no boundaries as we strive to embody our school’s mission of challenging our students to grow spiritually, academically, physically and socially,” said Trumpler. “To know we are being honored by this namesake award is outstanding. This is such a monumental year for Sarah’s House as they celebrate 35 years – it’s just an awesome feeling to be associated with it all.”
This award is in memory of Anne Lindsey Otenasek, an energetic teenage Catholic Charities volunteer who died in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988. The youth service award in her name honors and perpetuates her spirit and personal commitment to helping others. It is given to a high school or college individual or group that shows outstanding volunteer commitment to Catholic Charities.
Along with Archbishop Spalding High School, Catholic Charities recognized three other pillars of the community.
Internationally recognized community organizer Ray Kelly received the Monsignor Arthur F. Valenzano Joyful Servant Award. Commissioned to recognize a joyful life and spirit in service, the award honors the spirit of the late rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who served on the Catholic Charities Board of Trustees until his passing in 2015. Kelly, a lifelong resident of West Baltimore is being recognized for his work for social and restorative justice, better community and police relations, and legislative reform in Baltimore City. Kelly currently serves as Chair of the Pastoral Council and Executive Committee at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in the Sandtown area.
Since 2001, Kelly has been a steward to the residents surrounding Baltimore’s Pennsylvania Avenue corridor.
The Daughters of Charity received the Distinguished Service Award for their dedication to single mothers and orphaned children in Baltimore City for more than 200 years. The sisters, originally known as the Sisters of Charity, began ministering to single mothers, infants and orrphaned children in Baltimore in 1856. Ties to the Daughters of Charity remain strong in the Baltimore community. Ascension St. Agnes Hospital, which they founded in 1862, remains in operation, as does St. Elizabeth’s Nursing and Rehabilitation, founded in 1927, now run by Catholic Charities.
The Distinguished Service Award was also given to the Oblate Sisters of Providence – the world’s first successful Roman Catholic sisterhood established by women of African descent. The religious community was founded by Mother Mary Lange, Maria Balas, Rosine Boegue and Theresa Duchemin on July 2, 1828. Mother Mary Lange opened a school in her Fells Point home and committed to educating Haitian-immigrant and African American children. The Oblates went on to open a Catholic school for girls in their convent which birthed St. Frances Academy. Over the years the sisters opened several more Catholic schools for African American girls and boys, taught adult women in evening classes, and opened a home for widows.
Catholic Charities also honored six employees with its Mission in Action Award for extraordinary examples of commitment: Mike Dunphy, associate administrator at St. Vincent’s Villa – a comprehensive residential treatment for children; Cory Fellows, manager of community living at Gallagher Services – supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in living the life of their choice; Genese Hubbard, peer recovery coach at the Fallsway Clinic; Donnet Lawrence, service coordinator at Basilica Place – a senior community; Chentell McIntosh-Gomez, therapist at Villa Maria Community Resources Behavioral Health Clinic in Harford County; Lauren Porter, coordinator of the mentor program at St. Vincent’s Villa – a comprehensive residential treatment for children.
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