Community Leader: Shannon Kelly 'Walks The Walk' As Leader, Role Model

MID-HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Without community leaders, Mid Hudson Valley NY wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Kristin Jensen, a Mid Hudson Valley NY reader who nominated Shannon Kelly.

How do you know this community leader?

I work with her.

What does this community leader do?

Shannon is the CEO of Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster. A social and human services not-for-profit agency that has a mission to provide help and create hope for our marginalized and vulnerable neighbors in need. Catholic Charities helps those who are struggling regardless of religion, ability to pay, insurance, or documentation status. Services include assistance with food, shelter, and other basic human needs, addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery support, immigration legal services, and mental health counseling. As a mother of two young boys, Shannon is also active in her community. She participates in her sons' athletic and school activities, is a board member for her local rec center, and is involved in her parish, to name just a few of her outside work activities. Shannon is a hands-on CEO, leading by example and never asking anyone to do anything she wouldn't do, or hasn't already done, herself. She has worked in the food pantry, distributed food during pandemic drive through pantries, helped out in the warming center, and is involved in many community-based committees and organizations.

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

Shannon truly "walks the walk." She is a hands-on leader and role model, never asking anyone to take on a task that she hasn't done, or wouldn't do, herself. She is fluent in Spanish as a result of attending school, volunteering with a relief agency, and working with social ministries in Chile. In a time when staffing shortages are common, Shannon will fill in wherever she is needed. She has distributed food to the hungry, welcomed those who are housing insecure into a warm, safe space with a hot meal, at Catholic Charities warming center. Being fluent in Spanish, Shannon will jump in to translate for a client or community member in need of assistance when no one else is available and ensured that this agency was prepared to respond to needs when immigrants were bussed to this area. When flooding devastated one of our communities, she was boots on the ground to see what help was needed and deployed staff to help out distributing food, water, grocery gift cards, and other assistance to help those who lost their homes. She will serve as delivery person when she travels between Catholic Charities many offices to save staff members a trip. Shannon frequently brings food to Catholic Charities different offices to show appreciation, she remembers birthdays, and takes time to ask about loved ones or family members who may be sick, out of town, or struggling. Shannon speaks to elected officials and clients at Catholic Charities addiction treatment clinics alike with respect, courtesy, and compassion. She is also very involved in her children's school and athletic activities, is engaged in her parish, and is an active member of her community.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

In both her personal and professional life, Shannon is committed to lending a hand to those who are struggling to help the marginalized and vulnerable receive the care and support they need to improve their quality of life.

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