Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) has named Sarah Clement, chief administrative officer at Catholic Charities of Acadiana, the recipient of the 2023 Management Excellence Award. 

It’s not just hot outside; It’s dangerously hot, especially for those who lack shelter. Catholic Charities of Acadiana works daily to minimize the suffering of the unsheltered through our programs, such as St. Joseph Diner, the Stella Maris Hygiene Center, and our sheltering operations.

When the devastating tornadoes hit New Iberia this past December, homes were reduced to piles of rubbish. Catholic Charities of Acadiana’s Disaster Response jumped into action immediately. 

One demolished home resulted in 161 days (nearly 5.5 months) of displacement for a particular client. 

If you volunteered at St. Joseph Diner in the past several months, you likely met Max Schaefer – tall, fair-skinned, ruddy-cheeked, affable, tremendously helpful - his excellently commanded English sporting a slight accent. Ten shifts each week quickly multiplied into nearly 300 hundred hours of service, and not surprisingly, Max became a beloved companion of St. Joseph Diner clients and staff alike.