After The Bridge Core formed nearly five years ago, they soon learned that when homeless people are not visible, society believes there are no homeless among them.
Since then, they have worked earnestly to dispel this misperception.
This ecumenical group of seven women received this year’s Catholic Charities’ Communities of Salt and Light Award for outstanding human service organization.
The group has worked to identify needs, raise awareness and provide assistance in the areas of homelessness, domestic violence and humane animal treatment, which was their initial focus.
They have also generated funding to address these societal ills through personal and corporate efforts.
The group is composed of the following volunteers: Cece Mackey, Debra Lezanic and Bonnie Moreau of St. Thomas More University Parish in Indiana; Josephine Cunningham of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish in Indiana; Elaine Maudie of Church of the Good Shepherd Parish in Kent; Della Jean Manning of Brush Valley Chapel in Brush Valley; and Ruth Morris of Graystone United Presbyterian Church in Indiana.
"This group is small, but effective," said Msgr. Raymond E. Riffle, managing director of Catholic Charities.
"The members of The Bridge Core have worked together and built awareness of homelessness in their community and have, since their inception, kept Gospel values of compassion, generosity and respect for the dignity of every human person in the forefront of their ministry," Msgr. Riffle said.
The group assists the homeless in their area by connecting them with the Indiana County Community Action Program, and they have raised awareness about and provided various types of assistance to two organizations in Indiana County: the Alice Paul House, a safe environment for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; and Pathway Homeless Shelter, which provides temporary housing and support for individuals and families who are homeless. It is the only homeless shelter in Indiana County that accommodates families.
The group is currently working on a project that will provide assistance to people without adequate food in Indiana County.
"The Bridge Core encourages the average person to learn about the challenges and sometimes painful societal issues which surround them every day and encourages that same person to take action to make a change," Msgr. Riffle said.
He said the group challenges people to recognize that as beloved children of God, they can work together with their brothers and sisters in Christ and break the bonds of poverty and prejudice, which have held so many people down for too long.
"On many levels, St. Francis of Assisi would be proud," Msgr. Riffle said.
Mackey accepted the award on behalf of The Bridge Core, thanking Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt, Msgr. Riffle, clergy, sponsors and friends.
"I could not have said it better than Msgr. Riffle," Mackey said, adding with a laugh, "In fact, I think he read my notes."
She introduced all members of the group and noted that they soon would be adding an eighth member — Kay Werner, wife of the interim president of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
She extended a special thank you to Father William J. Lechnar, pastor of St. Thomas More University Parish in Indiana, encouraging a round of applause for him.
Mackey noted the group’s appreciation for "everything that has been said and done this evening" and that it had been a "wonderful experience."
"You certainly have given us impetus to continue to try to do God’s will," Mackey added.