“After having various discussions with local Catholic education stakeholders, it became clear that Catholic schools, particularly at the elementary level, are facing a pressing challenge to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population and their families,” said Dr. Bassam Deeb, president, Ģ����ý. “As an opportunity college, we understand that sometimes our students need wrap around and support services to help them thrive along their academic pathway. This collaborative initiative will bring that support to the elementary level, to ensure students and families have earlier access to needed resources.”

Ģ����ý will lead this pilot program with the goal of supporting a thriving, cohesive, and enduring Catholic education system in the region. The initiative will provide services that align with the cultural, linguistic, and economic realities of individual communities and offer support in crisis response, grief, housing instability, mental health navigation, and more. In addition, the project will look to connect students and families with appropriate resources and seek the input of existing, successful family support centers in the local public-school sectors.

“This partnership strengthens our ability to meet students and families where they are,” said Joleen Dimitroff, superintendent of Catholic elementary schools. “We are deeply grateful to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for its investment and to Ģ����ý for its leadership in expanding access to critical supports that help every child flourish academically, emotionally, and spiritually within our Catholic schools.”

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, one of the largest foundations in the United States and the largest foundation focused exclusively on healthcare across New York State, provides grants to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of diverse communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services.

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Spring 2021 Efforts Result in $1,740 Impact in Local Community

April is National Volunteer Month, and Trocaire is marking the occasion by highlighting some of the recent good work by the college’s Mercy Action Project (MAP).

What is MAP?

Service is in Trocaire’s very DNA as a college founded by the Sisters of Mercy. As part of Trocaire’s commitment to its Mercy heritage and the impact service makes in the community, every student must participate in MAP before graduation.

This co-curricular learning experience provides local service opportunities that integrate Trocaire’s mission while connecting that service to a student’s career path. The purpose of MAP is to promote a campus culture committed to personal enrichment and service in the spirit of the Sisters.

Spring 2021 MAP students had the opportunity to serve in a group project supporting (JFS).

Immigrant and Refugee Resettlement Project

One of the ways JFS assists the local refugee, immigrant and asylum-seeking population is by welcoming them to their new homes and providing household necessities to get them started. This spring, MAP students—with help from the generosity of the Trocaire community—collected 20 baskets of household goods to help that effort, which will be placed in houses awaiting their new refugee and immigrant residents.

MAP students raised more than $1,000 worth of basket items, in addition to $500 in gift cards that will allow JFS Resettlement Project families to purchase items needed to settle into their homes themselves.

Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, would be proud as our students committed to working in the name of one of the Sisters’ Critical Concerns, Immigration,” said Colleen Steffen, coordinator of community-based learning at Trocaire. “These baskets give dignity to those needing it most by helping them to set up their home with blankets, comfort items, cleaning supplies and emergency items as they begin new lives.

COVID-19 Relief Fund

MAP students also supported JFS’ COVID-19 relief fund by selling 48 succulents in one week, resulting in $240. These funds will go to benefit the three groups JFS has identified as suffering most as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic: children, families and senior citizens.

COVID-19 has definitely shifted the way service and volunteering looks in our world,” said Steffen. “Despite this adjustment, our Spring 2021 MAP students have stepped up and made a difference. We each have the power to carry the Mercy legacy forward, and I am proud to see our students make this impact in our community.

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It is with profound sadness that I inform you of the passing of Dr. Dennis DePerro, president of St. Bonaventure University. Dennis was diagnosed with COVID-19 around Christmas time, and had been hospitalized since that time. While he was stable for a while, complications from the virus proved too many to overcome.

As you come to campus today and over the next couple of days, you will notice that our flag is flying at half-staff. This is to honor Dennis’ legacy as a higher education professional, and his commitment to the values of Catholic higher education. A graduate of Bishop Timon High School, Dennis was South Buffalo born and raised, with his education and outlook influenced by both the Sisters of Mercy and the Franciscan Friars. Dennis’ family members have graduated from Trocaire, and he has been a true friend to the college and to me personally.

Several local Catholic Colleges are flying their flags at half-staff to not only honor Dennis’ legacy, but also to recognize all of the lives that have been lost as a result of this pandemic. Please keep Dennis’ family in your prayers as they work through this difficult time. Also keep the St. Bonaventure community in your prayers as they struggle to overcome the loss of their campus leader.

Rest in peace, Dr. Dennis DePerro.

Bassam M. Deeb, Ph.D.

President

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Mercy Heritage Week 2020 is upon us! Though our celebration might look different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent need to maintain social distancing for everyone’s safety, Trocaire’s Office of Student Affairs still has a full week of Mercy-centered programming planned.

Each Day, Trocaire will focus on one of the of the Sisters of Mercy. Click the links below to check out what each day will hold!

Monday, Sept. 21: Nonviolence

Tuesday, Sept. 22: Immigration

Wednesday, Sept. 23: Earth

Thursday, Sept. 24 (Mercy Day): Women

Friday, Sept. 25: Racism

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Brian F. Attea, Esq., managing partner of law firm Attea & Attea, P.C. in Hamburg

Richard P. Hershberger, Ph.D., MBA, chief academic officer of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo

Sister Mary Ann Schimscheiner RSM, ’67, leader of the Buffalo area of the New York, Pennsylvania, Pacific West (NyPPaW) Sisters of Mercy community from 2008-2014; chief executive officer of Kenmore Mercy Hospital in Buffalo from 1981-1999.

The following board members were elected to serve as officers for the 2020-2021 academic year:

Chair: Thomas Waring Jr., principal at GCW Capital Group, a financial planning and investment management firm in Hamburg.

Vice Chair: Lisa M. Kirisits, CPA, managing partner at certified public accounting firm Kirisits & Associates, CPAS, PLLC in Buffalo.

Corporate Secretary: Alicia J. Thompson, director of the Erie 1 BOCES School Library System and supervisor for the Western New York Regional Library Automation Service.

Treasurer: William Barrett Wadsworth, partner with North Woods Capital Benefits and president of North Woods Asset Management.

In addition, James Notaro, Ph.D.; Thomas J. Quatroche, Jr., Ph.D.; and Sister M. Jeanne Thomas RSM, ’67 were bestowed the position of Trustee Emeritus due to the exemplary length and quality of their service to Trocaire. Each served on the board for nine years.

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This week allows the entire Trocaire community to come together in big ways and small and embrace the values on which the college was founded by the Sisters of Mercy. From “meeting the unmet need” of our students and the wider community to advocating for the , we invite everyone to participate in as many Mercy Heritage Week activities as they can.

Throughout the Week

• Back Foyer:
  • Balloon Arch
  • Tea with snacks (different snack each day)
  • Mercy Artifacts
  • Non-perishable food drive for Catherine’s Cupboard (orange collection boxes in back foyer and around campus)

• Commons:
  • Candy tea cups
• Sacred Space (Room 316):
  • Looping videos on Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy
• Activity sign-in (end of the week drawing for prizes)

��

Daily Event��Schedule

Each day focuses on a different Critical Concern of the Sisters of Mercy.

Monday 9/23
Critical Concern: Non-violence

All Day: Personal Pledge of Non-Violence (Commons)

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Prayer Flag Activity (Commons)

10:30-11:30 a.m.: Buffalo Peacekeepers (Commons)

Noon-1 p.m.: Toward the Common Good Luncheon (Room 260)
Topic: Aiming for Sanity: Confronting the Gun Violence Culture

Tuesday 9/24 (Mercy Day)
Critical Concern: Women

10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Sacred Space Open House and Interfaith Trivia with prizes (Sacred Space)

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Chocolate Crosses & Questions with Sisters of Mercy (Commons)

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: A Comfortable Cup of Tea with snacks (Library)

11:45 a.m.: Mass (Sacred Space)

Wednesday 9/25
Critical Concern: The Earth

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Catherine’s Cupboard Open House (Room 340)
Refreshments & snacks will be served

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Pledge to Care for Our Planet (Courtyard)

Noon-1 p.m.: Speak for the Earth (Courtyard)

Thursday 9/26
Critical Concerns: Immigration and Racism

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: “Where is YOUR passion?” Meet and greet Mercy Sisters Janet Korn and Mary Marvin and hear the Sisters’ stories regarding their civil disobedience on behalf of the treatment of immigrant children in ICE detention facilities, and how that landed them in jail. Sisters will be Room 303 at 11 a.m. and then in the Commons starting at noon (all welcome to both sessions)

Friday 9/27
The Mercy Charism: Our History and Heritage

1-2 p.m.: Tour of the Mercy Center. Meet in front of the bookstore at 12:45 p.m.
Registrations are encouraged but not required. To register, contact Bob Shearn (Mission Office) at x2483 or��shearnr@trocaire.edu.

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The new trustees are:

• Justin Azzarella, vice president for Community Development at Evergreen Health in Buffalo

• Sarah Gilson, SPHR, MBA, vice president at Remedy Intelligent Staffing in Buffalo

• Tara Jabbaar-Gyambrah, Ph.D., CEO and founder of TMJ Consulting, LLC and adjunct professor in Niagara University’s sociology department.

• Lisa M. Kirisits, CPA, MBA, CGMA, managing partner at certified public accounting firm Kirisits & Associates, CPAS, PLLC in Buffalo

• Jeffrey Rubin, DMD, partner and founder of Post Acute Partners LLC in New York, N.Y. Post Acute Partners is the parent company of Elderwood, which has 17 long-term care, assisted and independent living and skilled nursing facilities in Western New York.

• Rob Swann ’96, MHA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, vice president and chief nursing officer at Kaleida Health System in Buffalo

• Lisa Wheeler ’95, NP, MBA, chief operating officer at Family Choice of New York in Depew

The board appointed Sister Anne Curtis, RSM to complete the term of Sister Pat Prinzing, RSM at a special meeting in March. She also started her first term on June 1, 2019.

Current trustees Tracey A. Maw ’94, Alicia J. Thompson and Montique V. Williams were re-elected to their second three-year term on the board.

Brian A. Gould; Teresa Lawrence, Ph.D., PMP; and Nancy Sheehan, RN, JD, ’84 were recognized for completing their third three-year term on the board (serving for 9 years total).

Siobhan C. Smith was specially honored for her service on the board. In addition to completing her third three-year term, she also served as Board Chair from June 2017 through March 2019.�� Through a resolution, the board bestowed Smith with the title of Board Chair Emeritus.

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Ģ����ý held a panel discussion on human trafficking titled “The Trauma of Human Trafficking: A Healthcare Response” on April 25. More than 40 people from both the college and the outside community attended.

Trocaire draws inspiration from its founding ����and Catholic social teaching, with its emphasis on human dignity and the common good. Organized by the college’s Office of Mission, Ministry and Service, this event also speaks to the Sisters’ five Critical Concerns, two of which are supporting women and advocating for non-violence.

“Traffickers prey upon the vulnerable. They deceive, coerce, and abuse their victims,” explained Bob Shearn, Trocaire’s director of Mission, Ministry and Service. “Consequently, victims are often deeply traumatized and typically bear deep psychological and emotional scars from the trampling of human dignity, in addition to any physical wounds.”

Panelists at the event included:

Julie Palmer, executive director of����(People Against Trafficking Humans), a faith-based not-for-profit organization working to end human trafficking in Western New York and beyond through education, prevention and restoration.

Kelly Galloway, executive director of��,��a Christian organization in Buffalo that works to help those exploited through human trafficking through housing, a 12-month healing program, life skills and coaching sessions, and awareness efforts.

Cheryl Catuzza, MSN, RN, Nursing faculty at��Ģ����ý. Cheryl has worked extensively in the public health sector over the past seven years, especially among the youth detention population. She has seen firsthand the devastating effects of human trafficking on its victims and has worked to help heal and restore their lives.

Mary Jo��Gugino-Colligan,��Mercy associate and president of����a Christ-centered non-profit in Rochester dedicated to helping women and girls achieve freedom, dignity and restoration locally, across the nation and around the world.

“Our panel of experts represented a wealth of experience and distinct perspectives on working with victims of human trafficking, both from a healthcare and human services perspective,” Shearn said. “They helped attendees explore the world of trauma and offer approaches to identifying, treating, and hopefully, restoring the lives and dignity of those who have been affected.”

Those in attendance heard about how these organizations are working on the front lines to provide vital services to victims, and the panelists also inspired attendees to raise questions, offer comments and share their own stories about human trafficking and its devastating effect on the community.

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A Catholic institution founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Trocaire draws inspiration from Catholic social teaching with its emphasis on human dignity and the common good. This event also speaks to the Sisters’ five Critical Concerns, two of which are supporting women and advocating for non-violence.

Human trafficking, a form of modern slavery, affects mostly women, but also children and men from all walks of life, race, ethnicity and socio-economic strata.

“Traffickers prey upon the vulnerable. They deceive, coerce, and abuse their victims,” explained Bob Shearn, Trocaire’s director of Mission, Ministry and Service. “Consequently, victims are often deeply traumatized and typically bear deep psychological and emotional scars from the trampling of human dignity, in addition to any physical wounds.”

Panelists at the event will include:

Julie Palmer, executive director of (People Against Trafficking Humans), a faith-based not-for-profit organization working to end human trafficking in Western New York and beyond through education, prevention and restoration.

Kelly Galloway, executive director of , a Christian organization in Buffalo that works to help those exploited through human trafficking through housing, a 12-month healing program, life skills and coaching sessions, and awareness efforts.

Cheryl Catuzza, MSN, RN, Nursing faculty at Ģ����ý

Mary Jo��Gugino-Colligan, Mercy associate and president of a Christ-centered non-profit in Rochester dedicated to helping women and girls achieve freedom, dignity and restoration locally, across the nation and around the world.

“Today’s panel of experts have a wealth of expertise dealing with victims of human trafficking, both from a healthcare and human services perspective,” Shearn said. “They will help us to explore the world of trauma as it pertains to victims of human trafficking, and offer approaches to identifying, treating, and hopefully, restoring the lives and dignity of those so victimized.”

“The Trauma of Human Trafficking: A Healthcare Response” will take place at the Mercy Center auditorium, located at 625 Abbot Road in Buffalo (across the street from Trocaire’s main campus). Attendees are welcome to park on the streets around the Mercy Center, and there will also be shuttle service from the parking lot of the Salem Lutheran Church on the corner of Whitfield and McKinley Parkway.

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The Board elected the following individuals, effective immediately, to serve as officers through its annual business meeting of 2020:

Tom Waring Jr., Chair.��Waring is a principal at GCW Capital Group, a financial planning and investment management firm in Hamburg.

Alicia J. Thompson, Secretary. Thompson is director of the Erie 1 BOCES School Library System and supervisor for the Western New York Regional Library Automation Service.

Sister Jeanne Thomas Danahy, RSM, Vice Chair. Danahy is a member of the New York, Pennsylvania, Pacific West (NyPPaW) Sisters of Mercy community.

Montique V. Williams, Treasurer. Williams is comptroller of the Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. He also teaches finance and accounting courses at Medaille College as an adjunct professor.

Trocaire President Bassam M. Deeb voiced his appreciation to all who took on leadership roles at a time when Trocaire continues to find new ways to provide the community with meaningful and cutting-edge educational opportunities, such as its new programs in Cybersecurity and Data Analytics.

“We are sincerely grateful to Tom for stepping up as the new Board Chair, as well as Sister Jeanne serving as Vice Chair and returning a Sister of Mercy to the leadership group for the first time in decades,” he said. “Alicia and Montique returning as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively, provide continuity and accelerate our ability to make critical strategic decisions over the next several years.”

He also thanked Siobhan Smith and Sharon Prise Azurin, who previously served as Board Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, for their service to Trocaire.

“Their commitment to the college and to its students, faculty, and staff is evident in the way they shepherded the institution through crucial advancements, such as our 2020 strategic plan, branding refresh and the development of Trocaire’s “Funding the Future for WNY” campaign,” he said.

In addition, the Board appointed Sister Anne Curtis, RSM to complete the term of Sister Pat Prinzing, RSM who had to unexpectedly step down due to other responsibilities. She will start her own first term June 1, 2019.

Curtis was appointed at the special March meeting as Trocaire by-laws require no less than three Mercy trustees to be represented on the Board. All other new board appointments will take place during the regularly scheduled meeting on May 9.

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