Above: Award winners, from left, Dr. Andrea Shaw, Evelyn Ingram and Bishop Douglas J. Lucia.
House of Providence award recipients are guided by love
Catholic Sun photos l Chuck Wainwright
By Eileen Jevis, staff writer
The three award recipients of the 2024 House of Providence Awards have common traits that motivate them in the work they do — love and compassion for others. On September 19, hundreds gathered at the OnCenter to celebrate Dr. Andrea Shaw, who received the President’s Award; Evelyn Ingram, recipient of the Humanitarian Service Award; and Bishop Douglas J. Lucia, who received the Bishop’s Award.
Catholic Charities of Onondaga County each year gives out these awards to honor leaders who make a notable difference in the betterment of our community. Mike Melara, executive director of Catholic Charities, hosted the event and thanked each recipient for treating those they serve with dignity, respect and compassion.
Melara referred to the childhood taunt, ‘sticks and stones can break your bones, but words will never hurt you.’ “But words can hurt you. Words can be powerful and carry connotations and images that transcend our experiences,” he said. “Words conjure up images followed by judgements — words like immigrants, homeless, refugee, asylum and immigration.”
Melara said the work of Catholic Charities transforms lives — but he said he and his staff are transformed right along with those they serve. He remarked on two families from Syria who moved into the neighborhood near their offices. “These families speak Arabic but are quickly developing their English language skills,” Melara shared. “There is one universal language that exists between us and those children that requires no interpreter. It is the only language that can be found in the human heart — love.” Melara said that sticks and stones will break our bones, but words can harden our hearts unless we are willing to look beyond the words and see our shared humanity.
Bishop Lucia enjoying the evening’s events
Dr. Andrea Shaw said the desire to help the refugee population came when she was in high school and her church announced a volunteer opportunity. Shaw, a native of Upstate N.Y., works as a dual-trained internist and pediatrician, serving as the medical director for Upstate University Hospital’s Center for International Health — a cornerstone of health equity for vulnerable refugees in Syracuse. Dr. Shaw provides compassionate care for many of the children of refugees who resettle in Syracuse, whose families are often fleeing violence, persecution and other hardships. She has provided medical care and relief to countless families who have come through the Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement program.
“I signed up for that volunteer opportunity long ago not knowing how I was going to help,” Shaw said. “I found myself in a dimly lit, smoky kitchen, sitting across the table from a Bosnian girl who was the same age as me. She was surrounded by five curious younger siblings, an anxious mother and a chain-smoking father.”
Dr. Shaw learned that the family had been forced to flee their home. “They arrived with nothing more than they could carry. The family found freedom and safety in Syracuse,” recalled Shaw. “I looked into the eyes of that girl and I saw myself — the same age, with the same curiosity and the same dreams — but she carried a world of burden on her shoulders that I could only hope to understand.” Dr. Shaw said that while they were both born into very different worlds, they shared the same humanity. “And that shared humanity brings us together every day to advocate for equity in an unjust world.”
Evelyn C. Ingram, a Long Island native and recipient of the Humanitarian Award told the audience that as the daughter of a preacher, her parents taught her the importance of giving back. She credits her family, friends and colleagues at Wegmans Food Markets for giving her the opportunity and support to make a difference in the community.
The Humanitarian Service Award honors individuals who display a consistent desire to improve the human condition through a life of service, both individually and professionally. Their concern for the well-being of others motivates them to make lasting commitments to serving those in need.
Ingram is the director of Community and Media Relations for the Central New York Region of Wegmans. A graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Communications in public relations, she holds an MBA in Human Resources from Le Moyne College and an honorary degree from Onondaga Community College. Ingram serves on the board of many non-profit organizations. She is vice president of the Syracuse Chapter of The Links Incorporated, one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women of color. She and her husband acquired a historic church on Syracuse’s Southside, intending to transform it into “The Castle,” a multi-use event center, including a networking lounge and a training center. This project aims to bring economic revitalization, jobs and diverse entertainment options to the Southside community.
Ingram ended her remarks by singing lyrics from a popular gospel song. “If I can help somebody as I travel along, if I can help somebody with a word or a song, If I can help somebody from doing wrong, my living shall not be in vain.”
Bishop Lucia reminded the guests of the mission of Catholic Charities — to provide services to those in need, advocate for justice and promote the dignity of all people. Bishop, who lives close to the Catholic Charities Emergency Food Service in downtown Syracuse, witnesses firsthand those who are homeless, hungry and suffering.
The Bishop Award honors individuals who actively serve people in the diocese and live as a model of service to others through their professions and voluntary pursuits.
Diocesan chancellor and director of Communications Danielle Cummings presented Bishop Lucia with his award.
Bishop Lucia is a native of Altona, N.Y. (near Plattsburgh). He served the Diocese of Ogdensburg in numerous capacities, including judicial vicar, director of the Office of Worship, vocations director and secretary to the Bishop before being appointed to his current position. Bishop Lucia generously shares his time and talents with communities of all faiths.
He recalled a moment on Thanksgiving Day when he was serving in a downtown parish in Plattsburg. “A young man came to the door looking for help. I suggested he go down the street to where one of the churches was serving dinner. As I closed the door to go and prepare to say Mass, I thought to myself, ‘Oh my goodness, I just closed the door in Jesus’s face.’” Bishop Lucia hurried back to the door, but the man was gone. “From that day on, I said, ‘no more.’ It was an important reminder to me that I really need to pay attention to those I come in contact with each day.”
Bishop Lucia ended his remarks by sharing the story, The Star Thrower, adapted by Loren Eisley.
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing? The youth replied, Throwing starfish back into the ocean The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die. Son, the man said, don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference! After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, it made a difference for that one.
The House of Providence Awards is the organization’s largest fundraiser. In 2023, it raised critical funds for the programs that provided services to 14,000 individuals and families.
