Catholic Charities of Diocese of Wilmington to Honor Xavier DeCaire 
with Msgr. Reese Award April 18 at Annual Tribute Dinner

February 15, 2024 – Wilmington, DE – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington will recognize Xavier DeCaire with the Msgr. Thomas J. Reese Award for exceptional dedication and unwavering support of local communities throughout his life at this year’s Annual Tribute Dinner at Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington on April 18.

Catholic Charities honors outstanding people who have demonstrated a deep commitment to addressing the well-being of our communities’ most vulnerable people. The Msgr. Thomas J. Reese Award, created in 1989 in memory of community activist and longtime director of Catholic Social Services, the forerunner of Catholic Charities, is presented each year at the tribute dinner.

“Heartstrings of Hope” is the theme of this year’s dinner.

“In addition to his other philanthropic endeavors, DeCaire has been a resolute steward of Catholic Charities because of the profound impact their programs have had throughout Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore,” said Samantha Wallace, interim executive director of Catholic Charities.

DeCaire graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., and received the highest honors conferred by the National Alumni Association through the Simon Brute Medal award in 2023. He received the Pride of the Mount award in 2018, served on the board of directors on the Mount for nine years, and is now a trustee emeritus. A graduate of Salesianum High School, he has been a lifelong supporter of Catholic education.

He has supported Catholic Charities by serving on the Board since 2013, securing sponsorships for major events, and promoting the social services programs throughout the community. In addition, he has served on the Boards of St. Anthony’s Community Center Delaware, and the Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides grants in support of medical research and education. “His Catholic faith inspires his tireless efforts for those in need in our surrounding communities,” Wallace said.

His philanthropic efforts include positions as former Chairman of the Board at Wellness Community Delaware, and the University and Whist Club, and as the former President of the Caesar Rodney Rotary Club. He is the current Chairman of the Board at the Delaware American Cancer Society. As a volunteer at Operation Smile, a medical charity that performs free surgeries for children with cleft palates, he travelled throughout South America. He later founded Kids with Confidence to cover surgical costs for children with facial anomalies, in the absence of insurance.

DeCaire’s career includes working as a partner at George J. Weiner Associates and as an agent for New York Life Insurance Company. He is a recipient of the 2007 Small Business Council of America Humanitarian of the Year award, which his son, Nic DeCaire, received in 2019, making them the only father-son award recipients to date. Xavier and his wife, Maria Elena, have three children and five grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. Xavi and his wife are parishioners at St. Mary of the Assumption in Hockessin.

Of his tenure in Catholic Charities, DeCaire stated, “It has been truly remarkable to see all the excellent work that Catholic Charities does. I am very humbled to receive this recognition, but the real recognition goes to the employees of Catholic Charities for the work they are doing.”

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington is a faith-based, social services organization, delivering critical direct care human services to individuals and families in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

 For information about sponsorship opportunities or attending the Heartstrings of Hope Annual Tribute Dinner, please visit https://www.ccwilm.org/events/cc-dinner/

Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families 
Recommends Catholic Charities for $150,000 Award

February 13, 2024 – Wilmington, DE – The Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) approved Catholic Charities’ proposal submitted in response to the state’s RFP CYF 23-11 First Episode Psychosis (D-FEP) Program. After DSCYF reviewed all the proposals for services submitted, Catholic Charities was recommended for a $150,000 award. 

Samantha Wallace, Interim Executive Director of Catholic Charities, said, “Catholic Charities looks forward to partnering with the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families to provide vital community based services through the First Episode Psychosis Program.  This initiative will allow Catholic Charities to offer early intervention and treatment services for children ages 12-18 and their families.”

The First Episode Psychosis (FEP) Program will serve Delaware youth who have experienced changes in thought, perception, or behavior indicating psychosis. The belief that children with early psychosis can lead rewarding and productive lives is based on scientific research demonstrating that prevention and recovery from a psychotic episode are possible. This belief drives efforts to educate the public about psychosis, and guide and support children and families who are affected.

Catholic Charities will use this funding to provide trauma-informed care as part of the Behavioral Health Services offered to the community. The program will offer early intervention to nurture children, families, and communities; increase child safety; support social and academic success; and promote individual resiliency. 

Individuals interested in learning more about Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Services should go to https://www.ccwilm.org/behavioral-health-services/ or contact the nearest Catholic Charities location at https://www.ccwilm.org/contact-us/

Photo courtesy Delaware.gov.

A Catholic Forum Video Interview:
Behavioral Health Services at Catholic Charities is Discussed

Feb 2, 2024 – Wilmington DE – On this Catholic Forum Video Interview, Stephanie Kelton, Fund Development and Public Relations Manager for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington talks with Lisa Ritchie, Program Manager of Behavioral Health Services for Catholic Charities. Lisa talks about the therapeutic services that Catholic Charities provides, including a new program that helps young people experiencing the first episode of psychosis. 

This radio program airs February 3 at 1:30pm. 

Catholic Forum is heard every Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on Relevant Radio 640 and is podcast on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio and Amazon Music podcasts. To listen to the podcast, visit https://catholicforumradio.libsyn.com/the-behavioral-health-services-of-catholic-charities-is-discussed.

To view the interview on the Diocese of Wilmington’s YouTube channel, visit https://youtu.be/j0zFyQxFgaU?si=6KCVN0HMxPSANwzm.

Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Services program consists of multiple services for persons needing help with emotional behavioral, or mental health concerns. Catholic Charities provides counseling services to anyone for whom outpatient treatment is the right choice. If outpatient counseling does not meet your needs when you call our office, our intake worker can make a referral to appropriate services.

Maryland state Senate passes resolution honoring Fritz Jones After 45 Years with Catholic Charities of Diocese of Wilmington

Photo: Maryland Senator Mary Beth Carozza of District 38 presents a Senate resolution to Fritz Jones, who retired in January after 45 years with Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Wilmington.

February 1, 2024 – Wilmington DE – Fritz Jones, the recently retired executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington, was presented with a resolution from the Maryland state Senate recognizing his more than 40 years of service.

The Diocese of Wilmington social service agency covers all of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

The resolution was presented to Jones on Jan. 29 in Annapolis by state Sen. Mary Beth Carozza of District 38. Bishop Koenig was in attendance for the presentation.

“In recognition of your retirement after 45 years of dedicated service to the residents of Maryland’s Eastern Shore with the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington, making a lasting impact on our shore community,” the resolution reads.

A lifelong Delaware resident, Jones, 68, retired at the same time as his wife of 38 years, Donna, who also worked for the diocese.

Article and photo courtesy of The Dialog.

Catholic Charities Awarded $7,000 from Maryland Food Bank

January 30, 2024 – Wilmington DE – The Maryland Food Bank awarded Catholic Charities a $7,000 Food First Capacity Grant to address ongoing food storage issues at the Seton Center.  The grant will support the acquisition of an enclosed trailer that will primarily be used to store non-perishable food items while the food in the Seton Center’s food pantry is rotated and distributed. The trailer will also be used to assist with large donation pickups.

The short-term goal for this initiative is to allow the Seton Center to benefit from larger donations. Because of the current capacity limitations, Catholic Charities is restricted in its ability to pick up and store items, making it impossible to accept all the donations available.  The funding from the Maryland Food Bank will provide needed space for storage, which will allow Catholic Charities to address the growing need for food more effectively. 

The long-term goal for the project is to increase Catholic Charities’ ability to offer expanded food options through the CHOICE program. Additionally, the trailer will increase the overall amount of food available for distribution, enabling Catholic Charities to serve Crisfield on a monthly basis. The grant will allow Catholic Charities to reach Crisfield residents who lack private transportation or are otherwise unable to travel to the Seton Center. The grant also offers the potential to purchase wheeled carts to replace current carts, which need frequent repairs because of their age and the demands of constant usage. 

Samantha Wallace, Board Member and Interim Executive Director of Catholic Charities, notes “Catholic Charities is grateful for the $7,000 grant provided by the Maryland Food Bank. This award will allow Catholic Charities to better meet the needs of our food insecure neighbors and extend services where residents face limited access to nutritional support.”

Catholic Charities’ Seton Center is a multi-purpose neighborhood community center which offers a food cooperative and an emergency food pantry.  Seton Center has a Basic Needs program which supports families and individuals at risk of becoming homeless, family strengthening and case management services, a thrift center, and other essential programs. For more information about Seton Center, please go to https://www.ccwilm.org/seton-center. Additional information can be found at the agency’s website at https://www.ccwilm.org or by calling your local Catholic Charities office.