Press Release

Su Casa Hispanic Center, a program of Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio, hosted its 15th Annual Awards Dinner at the Cintas Center April 9.

More than 340 people attended the annual dinner, including Archbishop Dennis M.  Schnurr who gave the invocation. Congregation of Divine Providence Sister Alice Gerdeman, coordinator of the Intercommunity Justice & Peace Center in Cincinnati, was the keynote speaker. The main focus of her speech was the immediate need for immigration reform and the church’s role in leading this effort. 

During the event, Su Casa presented four awards in recognition of outstanding contribution to the Latino/Hispanic community:

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Gloria Rodriguez-Milord, a native of Panama, who has spent a lifetime in service to the Greater Cincinnati Hispanic/Latino community. She has been a long- time support of Su Casa, including serving as a founding member. An experienced social worker, she has taken many leadership roles addressing the foster care system, including serving 29 years with Beech Acres Parenting Center.

The Cesar Chavez Award was presented to Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Juana Mendez. Sister Juana is a native of Puerto Rico and is currently the Hispanic Minister for the Diocese of Covington. She is very involved with the Cristo Rey Parish in Erlanger, Ky., and works tirelessly for the Hispanic community, especially on immigration issues.

The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Robert Tamm, who has volunteered at Su Casa since 1999. He spends about 16 hours a week preparing and notarizing documents in English and Spanish and assisting clients with filling out forms.

The Organization of the Year Award was presented to the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Founded in 1834, the sisters work in communities throughout the United States, Chile and Guatemala. They provide voices to the unheard and light to those living in darkness. They are deeply committed to the Hispanic/Latino community in Latin and South America and here in the United States, especially in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

“We are very pleased to present these awards to these outstanding members of our community,” said Giovanna Alvarez, director of Su Casa. “They have each done so much to serve the Hispanic/Latino community in Greater Cincinnati.”