90 Years of Service Celebrated

90 years of service were celebrated at Catholic Charities, Father English Center on March 21st. On this date Brenda Berkley (Left) and Juana Santana were honored for their storied careers.  This retirement event was complete with tributes, song and plenty of adoration.

Brenda started working with Catholic Charities in 1972 and Juana in 1976. Together, they have helped those in need, throughout Paterson, throughout the last 5 decades. They are two of Catholic Charities' longest tenured staff members. Together, they have directly helped over 30,000 people. 

The event was co-hosted by Delia Rosario, Catholic Charities' Director of Youth at Risk Reduction Program and Lynn Gaffney, Catholic Charities' Director of Senior Day Programs.  The event featured presentations from the Mayor of Paterson,  André Sayegh; the Housing Authority of the City of Paterson; GAPA, Grandparents As Parents Alliance; Catholic Charities' CEO, Scott Milliken; and past and present Catholic Charities employees.  In addition, a heartfelt performance of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World and Frank Sinatra's My Way was sung by staff member Woodrow "Woody" Lawrence.   

"Brenda and Juana are not retiring, they are re-purposing their lives," said Mayor Sayegh.  "These two community leaders should be celebrated for doing so much, for so many, for so long.  They have truly enriched the lives of others," he added. 

Brenda has gone out of her way to assist the families from the Paterson Housing Authority and the Riverside Terrace Housing Project by providing family counseling, budget planning, adult and child daycare referrals, housing assistance, job coaching, and emergency services. 

Brenda has been an advocate for those who are disenfranchised, vulnerable and disabled.  She has ensured that her clients with disabilities are provided with the services that they need and she has gone the extra mile to broker the services for them. Brenda takes everyone she works with under her wing and teaches and empowers them to believe in themselves.

Catholic Charities staff and clients say that Brenda is an “unsung hero” because she has continued to serve those in need with care and dignity for years despite the deteriorating conditions of the Riverside Terrace Apts. which became a hotbed for drug dealing and gun violence. Police periodically responded to shots fired. Families moved out because of crime. Through it all, Brenda was there.   

Jauna joined Catholic Charities in 1976, at the senior Day Center in Paterson.  She has worn many hats through her years at Paterson Adult Day Center (PADC).   She started as a secretary at 22 years old.  Through time and experience, she was able to grow in her profession.  After a few years at PADC she became certified as an Activities Director.   Later she became aCertified Social Worker.  Finally, she was promoted to become the Adult Day satellite Service Director in six senior buildings of the Paterson Housing Authority and the Program Coordinator at Paterson Adult Day Center.
 

Juana is the oldest of 5 siblings.  From childhood she has always devoted her life to caring for others, especially her family.   She is a loyal and dependable friend to all.  Brenda and Juana have truly gone the extra mile to help the underprivileged. 

They have both touched countless lives over the 90 combined years they have worked at Catholic Charities.  They have made families stronger with their wisdom, kindness, and encouragement.   The world is a better place because of women like them. 

"God places you where you are meant to serve others.  We were blessed to have been placed at Catholic Charities," Juana said.