By Mary Stadnyk, Associate Editor
As Marie Gladney anticipates entering a new chapter in her life at the end of the year – retirement – she recalls with fondness on what the past eight years has meant for her as the executive director of Mount Carmel Guild.
Topping her list of positives, Gladney delighted in how her position follows in line with the career path she had paved for herself years ago, as a college student wanting to focus on non-profit work and being of service to others.
As an undergraduate student in Rider University, Lawrenceville, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology, and then in Rutgers University, New Brunswick, where she was awarded a master’s degree in public administration, Gladney said she had the good fortune to have her education paid for through scholarships and grants. Because of that, “I knew I wanted to pay it forward. I made a commitment to living a life of service through my work.”
And Gladney has upheld that self-made promise.
During her 27 years of employment with Mercer County, she worked with the Department of Human Services and then with the state of New Jersey as assistant commissioner of administration and finance for the Department of Labor and Work Force Development. The positions required her to exercise leadership and hone skills such as grant writing and fundraising.
Following her retirement from the county and state in 2004, Gladney worked for ARC Mercer where for almost five years she was associate executive director in charge of operations. It was by “happenstance” and a “blessing from God,” she said, that she learned that Mount Carmel Guild was searching for a new executive director in 2009.
“When I interviewed for the job, I had butterflies for about the first five minutes, and then I realized that this is where I wanted to be,” she said.
“I felt like I belonged here,” she said, acknowledging the host of dedicated individuals with whom she works. Her team includes eight full-time and three part-time employees, the board of trustees and the generosity of more than 100 volunteers and donors who offer continuous financial support.
“We do God’s work,” said Gladney telling of how of the guild reaches out to the less fortunate, those with disabilities, those with emotional and behavioral issues and those in abusive relationships through its Emergency Assistance and Home Health Nursing programs. The Emergency Assistance includes providing a three-to-five day supply of food, emergency prescription assistance and utility assistance. The Home Health Nursing program provides in-home nursing services to seniors with the goal that they can remain in their own home.
One of the most obvious challenges Gladney has seen during her tenure is the increasing number of people seeking assistance. She noted the economic downturn had a tremendous impact on the wider Mercer County community and, as a result, outreach agencies like the guild had to increase its services while working with limited resources.
When talking about those the guild assists, Gladney is frank when she says “there are no longer typical clients anymore.”
“A lot of people think that clients are chronically unemployed or people with other health and social issues. Now it’s people who are employed or hold two or three jobs. They are what I call underemployed because they still have difficulty making ends meet. They are people who are at risk of losing their homes or their jobs,” she said, citing how in 2016 alone, the Emergency Assistance program served 8,900 households or 19,000 individuals. The nurses in the Home Health Nursing program aided an average of 59 patients a month, or about 130 throughout the year.
While facing the constant challenge of helping meet clients’ needs, Gladney is pleased that the guild has implemented some new initiatives such as increasing the donor base and strengthening the support and collaborative ties with the Diocese. With a smile, she proudly says she no longer believes the Mount Carmel Guild is “the best kept secret in Mercer County.” Great strides have been made to enhance the guild’s presence in the community by having staff attend more parish and community functions and through media coverage in The Monitor and other secular press, she said.
Other accomplishments included opening of “Father Jim’s House” in September 2014, where the Emergency Assistance now operates. Prior to the opening of Father Jim’s House, the Emergency Assistance had operated in the small food storage quarters on the grounds, where staff had limited room to serve the needs of its clients. Father Jim’s House was named in honor of the late Father James McConnell, who had been a staunch supporter of the guild and devoted many years of service as a member of the board of directors. He also encouraged regular outreach of service, food and monetary donations from the faithful of St. James Parish, Pennington, where he had served as pastor for more than 20 years.
Another proud accomplishment for Gladney was introducing the Feeding Family Fridays program in June 2012, which runs from late June to late August and invites eligible families to visit the guild facility on Friday mornings and pick up a three-to-five-day supply of breakfast and lunch items.
Among the folks who spoke affectionately of Gladney, her leadership style and her years of service was Ben Gioe of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton, who described Gladney as a “great leader” and a “wonderful grant writer” who found ways to raise funds for the agency. Gioe, who has a long, personal affiliation with the guild and served as both a member and president of the board of trustees, extended his appreciation to Gladney for her years of service. He said he is “deeply saddened” by her decision to retire.
Dominican Sister Loretta Maggio, director of the Emergency Assistance program, recalled that long before she became executive director, Gladney had held the work of the guild in high esteem. Sister Loretta said she had encountered Gladney and during a conversation, Marie had asked if the guild accepts donations of winter coats. Gladney’s mother had recently died and she was looking for an organization in which to donate her mother’s coats, said Sister Loretta, then added that Gladney had said, “I know they will get to those who need them.”
Then when Gladney was hired as the guild’s director, I knew she would be very supportive of the outreach that was being done,” said Sister Loretta. “When Marie called the staff for a brief meeting and told us of her plans for retirement, we were both surprised and saddened. Her time here has seemed to have passed so quickly. However, we are all very happy for her and pray that she will enjoy the restful, enriching retirement that she so well deserves.”
Looking ahead to Dec. 31, her official retirement date, Gladney said her plan is to sell her Hamilton Township home and move to Melbourne, Fla., a town she came to know during visits to see her great aunt and where her dear friend of 48 years and family currently resides. Once in Florida, Gladney expects it will take time to get settled in her new surroundings and she is indeed looking forward to taking a break from the daily routine of full-time work.
“Mount Carmel Guild has been a wonderful part of my journey,” Gladney said, then quickly added that even though she is retiring, it doesn’t mean she’s putting an end to her love and passion for helping others.
“There’s a food pantry in Melbourne,” Gladney said with a smile. “I’ll probably go there and volunteer.”