* Bishop Koenig appoints new Executive Director for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington

May 15, 2024 — (Wilmington, Delaware) — The Most Reverend William E. Koenig, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington, has appointed Ms. Ruth Anne White, MSSA, as the new Executive Director of Catholic Charities, it was announced today. Ms. White comes to the diocese from the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare in College Park, Maryland, where she has served as its Co-founder and Executive Director since May 2008. Ms. White replaces Fritz Jones who retired in January after 45 years of service in leadership with Catholic Charities.

“Ms. White is one of the nation’s leading experts on child welfare and housing policy. We are blessed to have her

join our diocese as the new Executive Director of Catholic Charities,” said Bishop Koenig. “Her vast experience working with the homeless, youth and children, coupled with her tremendous management and administrative experience, makes her the ideal person to lead our ministries serving our most vulnerable brothers and sisters in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.”

In addition to her tenure at the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare, Ms. White has served as Director of Housing and Community Development Policy for Catholic Charities USA in Alexandria, Virginia; Director of Housing and Homelessness for the Child Welfare League in Washington, D.C.; Program Manager for the Hospitality Center and VOA Family Shelter for Volunteers of America of Central Ohio in Columbus, Ohio; and Family Development Specialist and Interim Director for Lutheran Social Services Supportive Housing Department in Columbus, Ohio.

Ms. White holds a Bachelor’s degree in the science of social work from The Ohio State University, a Master’s degree in the science of social administration from Case Western Reserve University and is a Doctoral Candidate, National School of Social Service, at Catholic University of America.

Ms. White has served on many boards, received multiple honors and has been involved in countless community activities. She has served as Adjunct Faculty at Gallaudet University and Catholic University of America.  Additionally, her work has been featured in various publications and has given presentations on topics such as housing, homelessness, human behavior, child welfare and families.

“As I prepare to join the Catholic Charities team in Wilmington, I do so with a profound sense of gratitude to Bishop Koenig, the Board of Directors, and the sophisticated network of professionals and parishioners who deliver God’s message of hope and love through their life and work,” Ms. White said.  “I look forward to investing the inspiration I draw from my Catholic faith and tapping the goodwill of others to dramatically expand our capacity to help shape strong, healthy, and vibrant communities across Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.”

With locations in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Georgetown and Milton, Delaware and Princess Anne, Maryland; Catholic Charities traces its roots to the establishment of an orphanage for girls in Wilmington in 1830.  Catholic Charities is responsible for directing and coordinating the charitable and social service programs of the Diocese of Wilmington. It offers a wide range of human services to strengthen families, care for children and the aged, assist the disadvantaged, and build human relationships. It works in concert with other religious, non-profit, and public agencies, and in collaboration with the business and professional communities. No one is excluded from service because of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, or ability to pay.

The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington was established in 1868 and comprises 56 parishes, 18 missions and 20 schools serving the State of Delaware and the nine counties of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.  There are approximately 246,000 Catholics in the diocese. More information is available at cdow.org.

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Contact: Bob Krebs
302-573-3116
[email protected]