Welcome to Hope from Home 2023!

Hope from Home is our agency’s largest and most-important annual fundraiser.  This month-long campaign helps provide the resources to meet the needs of more than 20,000 of our neighbors in southwestern Pennsylvania. 

And just as every client we serve is our most important client, we think every supporter who joins us is the best no matter the size of the gift. That’s because it takes all of us to provide long-term solutions to hard challenges. 

Our work together is key to meeting immediate need and providing long-term solutions for those facing poverty of mind, body and spirit.

Will you join our circle of hope today? Your gift means real solutions. 

MAKE A DONATION

Community Caritas Awards

  • 2023 Award Recipients

    2023 Award Recipients

    Each year we celebrate those in our region who serve as vanguards of inspiration and practical solutions. This year’s Catholic Charities Community Caritas Award recipients meet a high standard of community care, embody spirits of compassion and vision and call each of us to unite for stronger and healthier communities. We believe the work they are doing today will be recognized and honored for generations to come. It’s our honor to highlight their achievements today.

  • Sister Annie Bremmer

    Sister Annie Bremmer

    Sister Annie is a staunch advocate for the marginalized in Lawrence County. Beginning with a weekly outreach opportunity for those in need to receive assistance, she has also established an area food bank, serving more than 300 families during Thanksgiving 2022. Additionally, she has spearheaded a yearly clinic to provide medical check-ups and key health screenings.

  • Helen Hanna Casey

    Helen Hanna Casey

    Helen is an industry leader with more than four decades of experience in real estate. She has been named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate by Inman News and the Most Powerful Woman in Real Estate by Swanepoel Power 200 report. Her commitment to the community includes positions of leadership with the Allegheny Conference on Community Development; the International Women’s Forum; the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and Carlow University. She currently serves as a board advisor for the Medallion Ball.

  • Father Mike Decewicz

    Father Mike Decewicz

    Father Mike founded the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Addiction Recovery Ministry (ARM) in 2018. With personal experience in addiction recovery, his mission for ARM is to provide support, encouragement and education while bringing the grace and love of God to those affected by the disease of addiction, including the families and friends of those who love the sufferer.

  • Reverend Brenda Gregg

    Reverend Brenda Gregg

    Reverend Gregg established Project Destiny in 2004 as a community center on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The organization emphasizes outreach to inner city youth, providing a safe place where they and their families can find needed resources, become involved in support groups, join cultural and educational programming and enjoy a variety of fun activities. Any resident from the 18 communities of the North Side, aged six weeks through end of life, are welcome to participate.

  • Tim O’Brien

    Tim O’Brien

    With deep roots in the Pittsburgh region, Tim is actively involved in projects and initiatives to alleviate suffering and address its root causes. With his wife, Jessica, he was instrumental in constructing the O’Brien Family Early Childhood Education Center at St. Edmund’s Academy. Continuing his passion for education, he also served on the board of the Neighborhood Academy, dedicating time and resource to foster its success. He has chaired the Family House Pittsburgh and, most recently, helped fund the construction of Second Avenue Commons.

  • Paula and Gerard Sansosti

    Paula and Gerard Sansosti

    Under Gerard’s leadership, his organization has created a culture of altruism and charitable giving, including more than 8,300 days volunteers by employees and more than $8 million in financial contributions. He and his wife Paula are actively involved with many community-focused partners, including the Holy Family Institute.

SERVING SIX COUNTIES IN SWPA

  • Southwestern Pennsylvania

    Southwestern Pennsylvania

    Love is our everyday standard. We share it by affirming the dignity of each person we serve, alleviating immediate distress and working toward long-term solutions. Every year, we work with thousands of neighbors in southwestern Pennsylvania to meet basic needs, provide emotional care, help with pregnancy and parenting challenges, offer free high-quality health care, help seniors live full lives in their communities and find housing for those without homes.

    With donor support, we welcome any person in distress regardless of background or story.

  • Allegheny County

    Allegheny County

    Because babies don’t drive, we delivered more than 830 “Baby Boxes” directly to clients enrolled in our Roselia Pregnancy and Parenting Support Program, including 46,546 individual diapers. We offer tangible goods as an incentive to learn life skills and health parenting techniques.

  • Beaver County

    Beaver County

    Our licensed therapists guide individuals and families struggling with life’s challenges, depression, anxiety and anger-related issues. In Beaver County, that’s meant providing 1,454 therapy sessions in the most recent fiscal year – up 11% from a year ago.

  • Butler County

    Butler County

    We’re the first point of contact for those facing homelessness in Butler County, connecting households to needed resources.

    The average length of stay for our Rapid Rehousing program in Butler County is 35 days, compared to the national average of 197 days.

  • Greene County

    Greene County

    Learning healthy coping tools to meet life’s challenges is key to navigating stress and fostering strong relationships. Greene County worked with local schools last year to provide 48 sessions for young children who have already faced loss, teaching them positive responses to serve them a lifetime.

  • Lawrence County

    Lawrence County

    In 2022 Lawrence County Outreach assisted 69 households with Basic Needs Assistance, totaling $20,400 and including 24 disaster-related assistance due to home fires and 32 fuel deliveries for senior households.

  • Washington County

    Washington County

    40 hygiene items, 152 outfits and 28 onesies ... These are just a small portion of the 10,000+ basic needs items we shared with residents in Washington County this past year.

SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

PILLAR OF CHAMPION

Steve & Helen Hanna Casey

Dickie McCamey

Gallagher Giancola Attorneys at Law

GRB Law

Houston Harbaugh P.C. - Bradley J. Franc

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Thomas H. & Kathleen C. O’Brien on behalf of The O’Brien Family Charitable Trust

PILLAR OF CHANGE

FedEx Ground

Highmark Wholecare

JLL Capital Markets

Victoria Kush, Esq. & Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC

Rodrick & Barbara McMahon

Kevin Miller, Northwestern Mutual

Dan & Shelly Onorato

Joe & Diana Rockey

The Sansosti Family

Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP

Christopher & Monica Scoletti

Tom & Deanna Swartout

Vince Tutino

FUND The Mission

William Andrews

Ed Balzarini

David and Paula Bonvenuto

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Cafaro

Susan Cruz

Clark Hill PLC

Colleen Darragh

Dan & Ruth Darragh

Tom & Heather Delaney

Donahue Family Foundation, Inc.

Mr. & Mrs. Pat Dugan

DJ & Sarah Effler

Jim Fanning

Bradley & Carol Franc

Giant Eagle

Ira Gumberg & Anita Courcoulas

Heritage Valley Health System

I.B.E.W. Local No. 5

Marie Milie Jones

Tim & Becky Kcehowski

Charlie & Catherine Kelly

Maureen Lally-Green

Chris & Kristy Lee

Leech Tishman Fuscaldo & Lampl, LLC / David. J. DelFiandra

David Malone

Marcia Martin

Mary J. Donnelly Foundation

Brian & Barbara McCurrie

Don and Erin McDowell

John R. McGinley, Jr.

Sev & Lisa McMurtry

Maureen O'Brien In Honor of Tim O'Brien

Nancy O'Brien

Orbital Engineering, Inc.

Alex Paris

Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Steelers

Range Resources

The Robert S. and Louise S. Kahn Foundation

Roble Belko and Company, Inc.

Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.

Tom Seabrooke

Joni Mangino Selep

Brian & Jenna Shanahan & Family

Michael & Julie Sweeney

Jeffrey & Lauren Troutman in honor of Tim O'Brien

Louren Troutman

Troutman Pepper

Mr. Michael Turzai & Dr. Lidia Comini-Turzai

Steve & Susan Wagner

Zimmer Kunz PLLC

Bishop Zubik

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

HOPE FROM HOME
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Mrs. Susan Cruz

Susan Cruz is a partner with the Jancisin & DiSilvio Private Wealth Group and is formerly a Managing Director and Market Executive at Merrill Lynch. In her career she has been responsible for developing strategy, leading and coaching organizations to new levels of success. She now guides senior executives and business owners in their wealth management and long-term financial strategies. Susan has served many organizations, including Impact 100- Pensacola Bay Area, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Athena Host Committee.

Mr. Brad J. Franc

Brad J. Franc is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, attorney, business consultant and CPA (inactive).
Practicing in the Business Law and Estates and Trusts Groups as a Director at Houston Harbaugh P.C., Brad works extensively with private business owners, affluent individuals, closely held businesses.

Along with his law practice, he has successfully launched several companies. He most recently launched The Succession Coach, a consulting firm to assist business with their succession plans. Brad has sat on many for-profit and non-profit boards throughout his career. He is the former Chair of La Roche University Board of Trustees and currently on the finance council of Regina Coeli Parish.

Mrs. Kathleen Gallagher

Kathleen Gallagher has more than 35 years of litigation experience with a focus on complex commercial and business litigation, including real estate, contract, construction, trademark, securities fraud, and environmental disputes. With more than 20 years of experience in redistricting and election matters, Kathleen represents clients in the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, as well as United States District Courts in Pennsylvania and Virginia. She is also an experienced advocate for religious freedom. She currently represents the Catholic League as an amici in a matter pending in the United States Supreme Court, and has successfully represented the Catholic League’s interest in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. She currently serves the Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Services Series and The Imani School as a board member.

Mr. & Mrs. Howard & Mary Anne Hanna, III

Howard W. “Hoddy” Hanna III, serves as the Chair of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, the largest private real estate company in the United States.

Among his leadership positions, Hoddy currently serves as chair of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees and as a member and former Chairman of the hospital’s Foundation board. Additionally, he is a member of the board of Citizens Financial Group in Providence, Rhode Island; John Carroll University; the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business; the Diocese of Pittsburgh Finance Council; and the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. He is also the chair of the H.J. Heinz Western Pennsylvania History Center and is a director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).

Mrs. Rebekah Kcehowski

Becky Kcehowski is the Partner-in-Charge and head of litigation for the Pittsburgh Office of Jones Day.  As trial counsel in class actions, multidistrict litigations, and cross-jurisdiction proceedings, Becky helps clients navigate complex consumer and commercial matters.  She has been recognized by Chambers, Best Lawyers, and The Legal 500 and by ALM's Legal Intelligencer as a Pennsylvania Trailblazer and Distinguished Leader. Becky is active on multiple nonprofit boards, including Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Pittsburgh Public Theater and United Way.

Mr. & Mrs. Charlie & Catherine Kelly

Charlie Kelly, a Sewickley resident, is a partner in the Pittsburgh office of Saul Ewing, LLP, where he enjoys an active healthcare, media and energy practice.  His community work includes membership on numerous healthcare boards across the region and state, including the Heritage Valley Health System board.

Mr. & Mrs. Jason & Victoria Kush

Victoria Kush is an accomplished civil litigator and trial attorney who is presently a Shareholder at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC.  She has 15 years of experience litigating complex disputes in state and federal courts, including appellate courts, with expertise in construction, energy, eminent domain and real estate disputes.  She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Duquesne University teaching legal courses.  She was named the Woman of Distinction in Government and Law by Girl Scouts and a Woman of Influence by the Pittsburgh Business Times.  She serves on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charites, Diocese of Pittsburgh, among a number of other boards and charitable causes.

Judge Maureen Lally-Green

Maureen Lally-Green has served as a Judge on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, a state-wide appellate court, as an Associate General Secretary of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and, presently, as Professor of Law Emerita at the Kline Duquesne School of Law.  Her employment experiences as a lawyer also span the for-profit, non-profit, and federal public sectors.  Her volunteer activities are, and have been, both local and state-wide, addressing many aspects of the law and of public and parochial education. For more than 40 years, she has served, at times, as a member of boards of directors of non-profit educational and professional entities, and two for-profit entities.

Mr. Chris Lee

Christopher Lee is a shareholder of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote and the Managing Partner of the firm’s headquarters in Pittsburgh, where he works with attorneys, personnel and oversees the day-to-day aspects of the firm's financial, administrative and HR departments.  In addition to Catholic Charities, Mr. Lee is on the board of directors of UPMC Mercy, is a yearly volunteer for Sheetz “For the Kidz” charity and has been a past ELT member for the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball.

Mr. Paul Malone

Paul Malone serves as Vice President and Partner with USI Insurance Services. In this capacity, he advises business leaders on capital-efficient insurance and risk management. In addition to the time he invests with Catholic Charities, Paul also serves on the West Water Authority board of directors.

Ms. Marcia Martin

Marcia Martin most recently served as the Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Highmark Wholecare, where she directed philanthropic and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Marcia serves or has served on more than one dozen boards and committees, including Carlow University (Board Co-chair, Anti-racism Planning Task Force), Bethlehem Haven, Epilepsy Association of Southwestern and Central Pennsylvania, Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise (PACE), Sisters Saving Ourselves Now/Black Women Roundtable, the Arthritis Foundation, Catholic Charities, Girl Scouts and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.

Mr. & Mrs. Tom & Becky McGough

Tom and Becky McGough have been members of the Executive Leadership Team for more than five years and co-chaired the Hope from Home Campaign in 2021.  Tom is Executive Vice-President & Chief Legal Officer of UPMC, while Becky is a retired Family Nurse Practitioner who spent most of her career serving the uninsured and underinsured at the Sto-Rox Family Health Center in McKees Rocks. 

Mr. & Mrs. Dan & Shelly Onorato

Dan Onorato is Highmark Health’s executive vice president and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, and Shelly Onorato is a health care professional.

The Onoratos live by a commitment to serving the community: Dan as a former elected official, most recently the Allegheny County Executive, along with numerous Boards of Directors today; and Shelly as a volunteer in the community and service on various Boards.

Married for 34 years and parents to three adult children, Dan and Shelly live in Pittsburgh’s North Hills.

Mr. & Mrs. Joe & Diana Rockey

Diana Rockey is a past Catholic Charities Caritas winner for her lifelong support of many charities, including Little Sisters of the Poor and the Red Door.  Together, the Rockeys were the Host Chairs of the 2018 Bishop's Dinner.  Joe Rockey is currently running for Allegheny County Executive and is a member of various boards, including Catholic Charities, Duquesne University and Little Sisters of the Poor.

Mr. & Mrs. Gerard & Paula Sansosti

Under Gerard Sansosti’s leadership, his organization has created a culture of altruism and charitable giving, including more than 8,300 days volunteers by employees and more than $8 million in financial contributions. He and his wife Paula are actively involved with many community-focused partners, including the Holy Family Institute.

Mr. Christopher Scoletti

Christopher Scoletti, CPWA®, CFP®, is a First Vice President and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley.  Christopher is the Catholic Charities Board President and serves on a myriad of committees and leadership teams for the agency.  Christopher is a cancer survivor, Notre Dame graduate, and he and his wife Monica are Legatus members and active parishioners of Sacred Heart of St. Jude Parish.

Mr. Joseph Selep & Mrs. Joni Mangino-Selep

Joni Mangino is a Shareholder and first female President of Zimmer Kunz. She is one of the original members of the law firm since its formation in 1988. Joni has 35 years of experience and is a seasoned trial attorney. She has successfully defended corporations and various religious organizations and nonprofits in claims and suits alleging discrimination. She is the wife of Joseph Selep and the proud mother of three adult children.

Mr. Thomas Swartout

Thomas Swartout serves as a financial advisor with Swartout Financial, a multi-generational wealth management firm. Additionally, he has been with Northwestern Mutual for more than 30 years and is recognized as one of the firm’s top 100 advisors.

Thomas has served with the United Way for 15 years and is currently actively involved with The Neighborhood Academy.

He and his wife, Deanna, live in Pine Richland and have four children.

Mr. & Mrs. W. Alan & Anna Torrance

Anna Bamonte Torrance is the Chancellor for the Diocese of Pittsburgh.  As Chancellor, Anna assists with the governance and administration of the diocese, serving as the principal ecclesiastical notary of the diocese and is responsible for gathering, arranging, and safeguarding the acts of the curia in the diocesan archives. She serves as liaison to the Bishop and as his representative to various diocesan entities. Anna is a member of the Catholic Charities Board of Directors, Member Board, Executive Committee and the Health Advisory & Quality Assurance Committee for the Free Health Care Center. Prior to her work with the Diocese, Anna was a member of the firm Houston Harbaugh where she practiced in the area of Healthcare Law. She and her husband, Alan, have four children and are members of Divine Redeemer Parish.  

HELP THOSE IN NEED

Our hearts are designed to respond to those in need, but it’s sometimes hard to know where to start. When you donate to Catholic Charities Hope from Home campaign, a neighbor in your community will receive the help needed right now and will have access to the resources to build a stable future.