Catholic Relief Services Awarded Catholic Charities USA Centennial Medal

March 24, 2011 - PRLog -- Catholic Charities USA, the 100-year-old social service network working to reduce poverty in America, has presented a specially-commissioned Centennial Medal to Catholic Relief Services, its sister Caritas social service agency in the United States, in recognition of its deep commitment to the vision and mission of Catholic Charities USA.

Rev. Larry Snyder, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, presented the medal to CRS President Ken Hackett and Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, Board Chairman, at the CRS Board of Directors dinner on March 23, 2011 in Baltimore. Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Founded in 1943 by the bishops of the United States, CRS alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.

Catholic Charities USA was founded in 1910 "to bring about a sense of solidarity" among those in charitable ministries. Since 1910, Catholic Charities USA has encouraged professional social work practice, provided opportunities for training and networking, and served as a national voice and expert on poverty issues. The Centennial is a time to reflect on past accomplishments and renew the commitment to serve those in need.

The Catholic Charities USA Centennial Medal recognizes the valuable contributions of individuals and organizations to the reduction of poverty in the United States. Through their work and life, recipients of the medal have shown an extraordinary commitment to the vision and mission of Catholic Charities USA.

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.crs.org or http://www.crsespanol.org.