The Impact Award, given annually by the MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce, is just that: recognition for significantly impacting the local community. This year the award was bestowed on Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton.

“This is the first year we’ve received the Impact Award,” said Joyce Campbell, CCDOT associate executive director for external affairs. And it was “kudos to all the CCDOT volunteers in the Diocese.”

The award was presented by Stacy Mattia, MIDJersey CC chairman of the board, during the Chamber’s annual Hall of Fame awards dinner April 23 in the Hyatt Regency Princeton. CCDOT was nominated to receive the award by some of its volunteers who also are very active in the Chamber.

“It’s significant to have Catholic Charities recognized as having a community impact,” said Campbell. “It says a lot; it’s a true testament to our staff. Everybody really has a hand in the success of the organization.” Noting that some staff members work in several counties, she said that CCDOT executive director Marlene Laó-Collins sent an internal message to all employees, informing them of the award and recognizing their contributing efforts.

CCDOT has worked with many other service organizations to assist the needy with essentials; more than 100,000 New Jersey residents per year benefit from its intervention.

“We are really a multi-service organization,” Campbell said. “We provide counseling, housing, comprehensive behavioral health services and a food pantry.”

Campbell believes one thing that sets CCDOT apart from other service organizations is “our longevity as a provider of quality service.” The organization is in its 102nd year of operation.

CCDOT offers programs in the four counties of the Diocese – Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean – and seeks to help people strive for self-sufficiency. Besides fulfilling basic needs of food, clothing and shelter, CCDOT also provides specialized services, including drug treatment, mental health and legal support.

Laó-Collins shared one of the many success stories of the work of CCDOT in telling the story of Donna, a middle-aged woman who became homeless for the first time and needed assistance. Thanks to a little help from CCDOT, she was able to channel her determination and obtain employment – a progression that helped her to secure an apartment in a beautiful neighborhood. Laó-Collins stressed that CCDOT aims to help people help themselves.

MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce is the state’s first chamber of commerce, comprising more than 1,000 members and serving over 90,000 employees in central New Jersey.