By EmmaLee Italia
Ask Connie Becraft what she’ll miss most about her work at St. Francis Community Center, and she promptly replies, “Every part of it.”
After 33 years of service, Becraft – executive director since 2009 – is retiring from the Long Beach Island community center that offers a variety of support services and programs to those in Ocean County, particularly seniors, families, youth and preschool-age children.
“I will miss being a part of the community,” Becraft said. “I have such a great relationship with the center. “I’ve been around the world, but this was always home.”
In recognition of her retirement and dedication to the center, Becraft was honored with a retirement prayer service and luncheon Dec. 14 in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Brant Beach.
Photo Gallery: Connie Becraft retirement
“We wanted to thank her for her dedication. Connie has been the face of St. Francis Center for many years,” said Wendy Westberg, licensed clinical social worker and assistant executive director, who is succeeding Becraft in the new year. “Her deep connections in the community have made it possible for the center to link with many local organizations. She will be dearly missed by staff and community members.”
Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress, executive director of the diocesan Office of Catholic Social Services, has witnessed Becraft’s talents firsthand over the years.
“In her work, I got to see her leadership, her organizational abilities … and her care for the needs of the people were amazing,” Sister Joanne explained. “Of all her time there, I was so impressed with her handling of Hurricane Sandy … it [showed] her leadership, and her ability to work with other agencies.”
Founded in 1972, the community center was among the institutions instrumental in assisting residents affected by Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
Becraft began at St. Francis Community Center working part time at the front desk in 1983. As she was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Long Beach Island, the job was recommended to her by a fellow St. Francis choir member. The job gradually evolved over the years as Becraft learned different skills such as public relations, creating newsletters and SFCC programs, technology point person and serving as director of community development.
“Every single time I came to work, every day was a different experience,” Becraft recalled. “I come from a military family and always had to adapt to change, so I think I brought a lot of that to the organization. You’re constantly meeting new people.”
In spite of military travel over the years, Becraft has a longtime connection to the LBI community. She, her parents and two sisters settled in Long Beach Island in the 1950s. Becraft and her husband, Rich, lived in Long Beach Island from 1973 to1987, after which they relocated to Manahawkin. She has, however, maintained her connection to the residents of LBI through SFCC.
“I have worked at the center for 22 years and have always used Connie’s expertise and knowledge,” Westberg said. “She has always been the ‘go to’ person when we need something – a contact person in the community or another agency, finding help assisting a client, history of the agency and volunteers to help with an event.”
Becraft believes the best part of her time spent at SFCC was dealing with the day-to-day needs of the community, as well as trying to enhance a necessary list of services.
“That’s the Franciscan mission and philosophy – you go out into the community … look for more funding, find out what the community needs,” she said.
Franciscan Father James P. Scullion, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, came to know Becraft as both a parishioner and through her work at the center.
“Connie’s work has touched many people of different faiths [as well as people with no faith tradition],” Father Scullion said. “She has a great passion for her job, a great concern for the poor and outcast, and has embodied the teachings of Jesus and the vision of St. Francis of Assisi.”
Of her presence in the parish and center alike, Father Scullion added, “I think people see her as a compassionate leader.”
Sister Joanne extolled the growth of SFCC services under Becraft’s direction, which included expanding senior day care services and building an indoor pool.
“I have great respect for what she’s done. It’s an example of the care the Church has for the people,” Sister Joanne said.
Superstorm Sandy proved a task like no other for everyone at SFCC, like so many services providing assistance and shelter along the battered New Jersey coastline. Becraft attests that despite the challenges, the center forged ahead with great support from all its staff and volunteers.
“Sandy was a whole new learning experience; I don’t think anyone in the state was not impacted,” Becraft recalled. “But based on my life experiences of packing up and moving quickly, that’s what we had to do. We had great directors to support and help me do that. When we came back, we were bigger and better than ever.”
Becraft said she has no definite plans for retirement other than spending more time with family, but reflecting on her service with SFCC she said, “To have the opportunity I’ve been given, it’s been phenomenal.”