CFC Announces 2018 Scholarship Winners

Rochester, NY… CFC's Annual Meeting included State of the Agency, Long-term Service Awards, and 2018 Scholarship Winners.

CEO Marlene Bessette announced 2017 Financial Results and provided a brief State of the Agency address. These will be made publicly available in our 2017 Annual Report, due for release in July 2018.

Long-term service awards honor staff and volunteers who serve the agency’s mission and clients, including one volunteer who began as a staff member in our Family Services programs, and went on to serve as a member of CFC’s Board of Directors. Annmarie House has continued her volunteer activities with CFC, marking 40 years of service this year.

All Scholarship Winners Came to CFC as Unaccompanied Refugee Minors

The Nancy Carey Memorial Scholarship is awarded to youths who model the same compassion and determination of Nancy Carey. A former CFC staff member, Nancy was particularly skilled in working with adolescents, and worked tirelessly with her clients to help them become independent and self-sufficient.

The following high school seniors will receive scholarship awards from Catholic Family Center:

Destalem Lemlem.

Destalem came to the U.S. as a refugee from Eritrea on June 12, 2014. When he arrived, he had only completed the 7th grade and did not speak English. Destalem received great commitment, support, and encouragement through his foster mother, Linda Searles. Among his many accomplishments over the years, he has been selected as a Black Scholar through Urban League of Rochester, was inducted as a member of the National Honor Society of High School Scholars, and was awarded perfect attendance this year. Additionally, he played on a soccer team which made Regionals. Graduating on June 23, he dreams of becoming an engineer.

Khadija Muhammadi

Khadija came to Rochester in 2015 as a refugee from Afghanistan. She is a humble and determined young woman who has taken her high school education seriously. She is a member of the national Honor Society, and was also awarded the Young Citizen of the Year Award for Monroe County in 2017. She has spent the last year applying for colleges, volunteering at RGH and the Library, and working part—time. Khadija is extremely excited to start her college courses at FLCC, where she will be pursuing a degree for a career in the medical field.

About Catholic Family Center: Catholic Family Center (CFC) is Greater Rochester’s largest provider of comprehensive family services. Each year we assist tens of thousands of our neighbors, relatives and friends as they work to remain or become healthy, productive, participating members of our community. We serve all people—regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, age, ability or gender. Our programs work together to address the many issues of human need across all stages of life.