Catholic Charities bids farewell as two inspiring women retire

The mission statement of Catholic Charities, driven by Catholic social teaching, states that Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, provides quality services with dignity and respect to the poor, vulnerable, and all people in need and partners with families and communities to improve the quality of life. Staff members are asked to carry out this mission with every client they serve; a mission embrace by two truly inspiring women who are about to retire.

Jennifer Hinton, director at the Unity Square Community Center of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, will be retiring this month after six years of commitment and stewardship. Hinton previously served as diocesan director of lay ministry and leadership.

Unity Square’s vision is to “embody a well-rounded, unified, healthy, and economically sound community, where all residents feel safe and empowered to live, work, and make positive connections with their neighbors. Collaboration with neighborhood partners will build healthy, stable families and strengthen opportunities for adequate and affordable housing, economic growth, and quality education. Through consistent efforts, Unity Square will be a vibrant, growing neighborhood that engenders pride and hope in its residents,” a vision Hinton has kept at the forefront of every service undertaken at the Center.

In October of 2022, Unity Square Community Center celebrated the grand opening of the Choice Food Resource Center after many years of groundwork and collaboration. This was in partnership with several local churches and the city of New Brunswick providing an opportunity for clients to select from different offerings to better meet their family needs, rather than pre-packed food items.

In a letter sent out to community partners, Krista Glynn, service area director, wrote, “We thank Jennifer for all of her hard work making the center a success and are excited for what the future holds.” In her letter, Glynn also welcomes Michelle Gil as the new program director. Gil was a previous community organizer at Unity Square.

Julio Coto, executive director of Catholic Charities shared, “I would like to thank Jennifer Hinton for all of her tireless efforts in the success of Unity Square. Her passion and dedication led to the opening of the Choice Food Resource Center that feeds those who are most in need.  Jennifer’s daily works of mercy have shown the true spirit of working for Catholic Charities.”

Also retiring is Dr. Esther Schlesinger, medical director, who has served in her position for 25 years.

Dr. Schlesinger has been a cornerstone of Catholic Charities, providing invaluable psychiatric care to PACT clients, outpatient clinic clients, DCF families and YPC youth, guidance to our staff and leadership to CCDM.

Marci Booth, associate executive director of Catholic Charities, said, “Dr. S’s time has been an extraordinary journey of dedication that spans a remarkable 25 years. It is an honor to express our appreciation for our Doc to many, and the incredible contributions she has made to Catholic Charities. She has enriched our community with her compassion, expertise, and commitment to the well-being of others.”

Dr. S has been a beacon of hope for individuals facing mental health challenges. Her dedication to improving the mental and emotional health of clients has been unwavering. She is known for her ability to empower clients while holding them accountable. In doing so, she has provided a lifeline to those who often feel lost and forgotten, offering a path toward healing and recovery.

In addition to her direct work with clients, Dr. S has been a mentor and a source of inspiration to countless colleagues within our agency. Her willingness to share knowledge, provide guidance, and offer support has helped nurture the talents of those who have worked alongside her.

Coto expressed his gratitude for Dr. S., saying, “On behalf of Catholic Charities, and all those you have served, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and congratulations on this remarkable achievement. Thank you, Dr. S, for 25 years of making a profound and lasting difference in the lives of so many.”

Unity Square Community Center is located at 81 Remsen Avenue in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Besides addressing food insecurities, Unity Square also focuses on other social concerns in the community and will assist with housing resources, whether you are a tenant or landlord. For more information call 732-545-0329 or stop by Monday through Friday from 10am-5pm. Assistance is available for those who speak other languages including Spanish.

For more information about Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen, please visit ccdom.org. Like and Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @ccdom1 to stay updated on upcoming events and ways CCDM helps clients get the services and assistance they need.

Tiffany Workman is the Communications Specialist in the Office of Communications and Public Relations