Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach is pleased to welcome new members and officers to the Samaritan Center Advisory Committee, while expressing heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated community leaders who continue to serve and those whose years of service have helped strengthen the Samaritan Center and the families it serves.
For more than three decades, the Samaritan Center in Vero Beach has provided a safe haven and a pathway toward stability for families experiencing homelessness. The center offers transitional housing, essential support services, case management and educational programming designed to help parents and children build a stronger future and break the cycle of homelessness.
Behind this important work is a community of supporters who give their time, talents and resources to help the Samaritan Center thrive.
Catholic Charities is pleased to recognize the 2026-2027 Samaritan Center Advisory Committee leadership:
Pat Pellington – Chairperson
Janice Stillings – Vice Chairperson
Kathy Flynn - Secretary
The committee also includes dedicated community members John Bella, Cathy Bonin, Kim Dimech, Paul Lucas, David Parr, Liza Parr, Laura Turner, Deacon Bill Weiss, Mary Ellen Weiss, and Leigh Woisard.
Together, these volunteers bring a wealth of experience, community connections and passion for helping families overcome homelessness.
The Samaritan Center Advisory Committee plays an essential role in helping Catholic Charities raise awareness and financial support for the program. Committee members work closely with Renee Bireley, Development Manager, and Katy Ryan, Volunteer Coordinator for the Samaritan Center, to plan, promote and implement fundraising events and other initiatives that generate critical resources for the center.
Among the committee’s signature efforts are the annual Bernard & Betty Egan Memorial Golf Classic and the Samaritan Center Soup Bowl, two community traditions that bring together generous supporters while raising funds to help families served by the center.
These events require tremendous planning, coordination and community outreach. The Advisory Committee’s willingness to roll up its sleeves, make connections, recruit sponsors and participants, and help bring these events to life makes a meaningful difference.
The committee’s efforts, together with the generosity of sponsors, donors and community partners, provide important resources that allow the Samaritan Center to continue supporting families as they work toward stability and independence.
As Catholic Charities welcomes new committee members and leadership, we also celebrate those who have generously continued to serve the Samaritan Center year after year.
The work of the Samaritan Center is ultimately about people: parents working toward self-sufficiency, children who deserve a safe and stable place to call home, and families striving to build a better future.
