Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Baxter.
Hi Katie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a Licensed Master of Social Work and have served the Flint community in direct service or administrative roles for over 25 years. I have worked for a variety of private and public agencies that provide behavioral health care. I came to Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties (CCSGC) in October of 2022 as CEO. I was driven by my faith and a passion to serve the most vulnerable in the community. I feel honored to be a part of CCSGC, which has provided basic needs to the community for 85 years. We currently operate 2 soup kitchens and community closets; adoption, licensing, and foster care; counseling and prevention; Offender Success for returning citizens, and many other services and events. Our newest focus is Sacred Heart Veteran Village, a new and innovative program to help unhoused veterans get back on their feet through a transitional housing program by wrapping them in comprehensive and individualized services. The project is intended to be a new model of care to address homelessness for vulnerable populations. The project includes a large Veteran Resource Center and 26 tiny houses or bungalows. We completed the first phase which includes a large Veteran Resource Center used as a resource hub for all veterans and the first four bungalows. We opened the Veteran Resource Center in the fall and now have four veterans moving into the bungalows. We are very excited about the impact this will have on our community and surrounding areas.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It is a complex privately funded program which has required numerous community partners and volunteers and orchestrating has not been easy; in addition to funding, zoning and permitting challenges and construction delays.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My Catholic faith has guided me to live out the Gospel at home, in my community, and in my workplace. It is not easy because every day I see many people facing difficult challenges, but when I see the difference it makes in someone’s life, it makes it worth it.
What matters most to you?
Loving God and serving others. What could be more important than that?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://catholiccharitiesflint.org/
