Sister Marie Josepha Kluczny, RSM, APRN-CNM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Sister Marie Josepha was born and raised in Minnesota. At the age of 9, she made a promise to God to become a religious sister. Even at a young age, this promise gave an internal peace she still remembers. She obtained her degree and worked as a registered nurse but never forgot her promise. In 2012, she entered religious life with the Religious Sisters of Mercy, in Alma, Michigan. Additionally, in 2019, she advanced her practice of nursing and became a certified midwife. Though nursing has exposed her to impoverished situations with families, she looks forward to more direct involvement in meeting the needs of the poor. Sister Marie Josepha became the Executive Director of CCSWLA in August, 2023.  Sister enjoys serving our community and looks forward to "expand my heart" and "learn to love in more ways". 

Jessica Watson

FINANCE/GRANTS DIRECTOR

Having been a part of our team since April 1, 2015, she has been a part of many operations here. Describing her role at CCSWLA as her "dream job", she states, "every day it's an honor and privilege to work here". With a degree in finance and the bonus of being from the area, she is able to use her gifts to give back to this wonderful community. She feels "lucky to be working for a Catholic organization" and her ability to go above and beyond for others shows. 

Juluas Tademy

PRISON RE-ENTRY CASE MANAGER 

As the Prison Re-Entry Case Manager, Juluas Tademy will help individuals on parole connect to resources, navigate, and rebuild their ties to society. Born and raised in Colfax, LA, and coming from a family of 12, she has a strong sense of community and being a support to others. Before coming to Catholic Charities, she served as Assistant Director for the Prison Re-Entry Program at Phelps Correctional Center. She enjoys being a part of Catholic Charities because of “the openness to help everyone” and the “love to help”. She is focused and enthusiastic about her role and is looking forward to being a part of the growth and change for the better.  Juluas has been part of our team since May, 2024.

Cynthia Julian 

DISASTER CASE MANAGER/OFFICE MANAGER

After 26 years of working in security as a site manager, Cynthia Julian decided to pour her heart into helping others through Disaster Case Management here at Catholic Charities SWLA. In her years of service since September, 2020, she has helped many throughout the community to repair and rebuild their residences and obtain furniture and other goods to complete their feeling of "home". Her warm and caring spirit is infectious!

Caroline Matt

ADMINSTRATIVE ASSISTANT/RECEPTIONIST

For a number of years now, Caroline Matt has been the face you first see when you visit and probably the first voice you hear when you call. In all, she has worked for the Diocese for 30 years, with 15 of those years working with Youth Ministry.  There is never a dull moment in the front office, and she is compassionate and dedicated to helping others. Her favorite part about working here is "when I KNOW I have helped someone". She makes being busy look easy!

Sister Otilia Chinchilla

CASE MANAGER

Sister Otilia is originally from Guatemala, but has been living in the United States for a number of years now. She is a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word.  In addition to living religious life for the past several decades, she also obtained a master's degree in psychology/mental health. Being bilingual, Spanish and English, she helps to bridge the language barriers sometimes faced. Her gentleness and calm demeanor are an asset to our work here. She expresses her passion for her job through the words, " I love working with the poor. I love them. I am praying for them every day".  She helps with rental assistance, SNAP benefit assistance, and utilities assistance.  She has served our community with Catholic Charities of SWLA since September 1, 2021.

Carolyn Washington

CASE MANAGER

Mrs. Carolyn has been with Catholic Charities SWLA since January, 1, 2022. Her first two years, she held the position of the front desk receptionist. Now she is in case management and handles a multitude of services for several parishes. Prior to CCSWLA, Carolyn Washington was a Physical Therapy Tech for 12 years and then worked in mental health for 6 years. She manages a phone line for CCSWLA that is specific to those in Allen and Jefferson Davis parishes. That phone number is (337) 438-6350. She loves the face-to-face interactions with people and being able to help them. She understands their struggles and can relate to their pain which makes her the ideal person for her role. Her dedication to helping those in need is evident in her hard work.

Alisa Stevens

HOMELESS OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Alisa Stevens joined CCSWLA with many years of various types of experience under her belt. With a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology, concentrated in Family and Child Studies from McNeese State University, she has proven herself to be a natural at community education, service learning, and connecting people to resources. The Homeless Outreach Coordinator identifies unsheltered individuals through street outreach and other avenues and builds relationships with the individuals by providing advocacy and connecting them to resources/social services that may lead to permanent housing. She is a wonderful asset to our team and the community and helps to bridge the gap between resources and our homeless population. 

Gayle Smith

CASE MANAGER

As a case manager, Gayle Smith assists people with rent and utilities for Catholic Charities of SWLA. She joined our team in 2016 and has been faithfully dedicated to her position. Prior to her time here, she and her husband were private business owners who were affected by economic hard times. Gayle is able to relate to the journeys of many of her clients. She, in some ways, has "been in their shoes." Her helpful heart is seen in her joyous nature. Her favorite part of her day here is the people she helps. 

Greg LeBlanc

WAREHOUSE VOLUNTEER

After working at OilQuip for 44 years in Sales/Service, Greg LeBlanc retired and began volunteering with CCSWLA. He keeps the warehouse organized and running efficiently. He puts his heart into everything he does. He is very generous with his time and effort. His favorite part about being at CCSWLA is "the nice people" and "it gives me a sense of purpose." 

Carrie Burch

OFFICE COORDINATOR/VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Joining Catholic Charities in December, 2021 through the Americorps VISTA program, Carrie Burch thrives on creatively troubleshooting new ways in getting people involved in the many acts of service we do here. Before her time with us, she was a multi-specialized operating room nurse for almost 20 years. God led her to CCSWLA, where her ability to multi-task and function well in a constantly changing environment can be applied. Her hard work ethic and bright nature are a constant force of influence to all of those she serves, along with those she serves with. 

Roxanne Boxie

CASE MANAGER

Following 41 years as an accountant for PPG Industries, Roxanne Roxie was looking for ways to give back in her community. She began her journey with CCSWLA approximately a decade ago in utilities case management, and is still hard at work helping many people.  Roxie says, " We are here to serve".  She loves seeing the smile on people's faces when she is able to help them and also hopes she is able to wipe away some of the tears of the people. She is such a warm-hearted part of CCSWLA.

Ron Bertrand

WAREHOUSE VOLUNTEER

Ron Bertrand worked for PPG Industries in safety for 38 years. After he retired, he joined the CCSWLA team. Ron has a calm, pleasant demeanor joined with a proficiency in keeping order, and he is very hardworking.  He helps drive our box truck to the distribution sites, loads and unloads the truck, packages items to be distributed, and helps to lead the distributions. "The reason I volunteer my time to Catholic Charities is to help the needy and see their smile after they have received various items that give them hope."

Robert Richard

WAREHOUSE VOLUNTEER   

In 2017 after a 42 year long career as a pipefitter for Olin and eventually PPG, Robert Richard retired. Stemming from a long-time desire to volunteer, he and a few men established a food distribution in Big Lake at St. Mary's Catholic Church. His hardworking, generous, and loyal character make him a great asset to the ministry of service. Now, Robert helps to drive our box truck to our many distribution sites, loads and unloads the truck and helps lead our food distributions. He enjoys "meeting the people" and the friendships and fellowship of the volunteer experience.                              

Jessie P. Arabie

WAREHOUSE VOLUNTEER

Jessie Arabie started volunteering with CCSWLA over two decades ago at one of our older locations. He has seen Catholic Charities SWLA grow and change throughout the years. He remains a faithful part of our volunteer base. Before his retirement, he worked for 36 years as a Senior Dealer Analyst with General Motors. Mr. Jessie believes "paying it forward" is a great philosophy. He says, "God provides for me and my family, therefore I have the time to give to others". His love for people and enjoyment of hard work and service keep him involved here at CCSWLA. 

Blanche Landry

OFFICE/FOOD DISTRIBUTION VOLUNTEER

A faithful volunteer since the fall of 2010, Blanche Landry serves in many different aspects within CCSWLA. She is often seen as one of the many friendly faces during Lake Charles food distributions or at the front desk but she also does a lot behind the scenes. Everything from event planning to case management, you name it, she can do it. She came to us after working for many years as a Medical Technologist and raising her children. She is a wonderful example of kindness, versatility, and an openness to serve, no matter what the task. Through her volunteering she is "reminded of the need in our community."