Catholic Housing And Community Services’ Eldercare Program Director Awarded Reverend Carmine Dibiase Clergy Award For Community Service
The Reverend Carmine DiBiase Clergy Award for Community Service is awarded by the 1st Philadelphia Police District Advisory Council.
Catholic Housing and Community Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CHCS) is pleased to announce that Ms. Bonney Dahlgren DosSantos, Director of Saint Monica Eldercare Program (SMEP), has been awarded the Reverend Carmine DiBiase Clergy Award for Community Service.
This award, given in Reverend Carmen DiBiase’s name, is presented to a member of the local community who supports the 1st Police District in their work and who serves residents located throughout the South Philadelphia area.
Ms. Bonney Dahlgren DosSantos, Director of SMEP said, “Over the years, I have had numerous opportunities to work with officers from the 1st District. Sometimes I have reached out to them for assistance, sometimes they have reached out to me. We have supported one another in dealing with some difficult situations. Captain Lou Campione and the officers of the 1st Police District are public servants in the truest sense of the word.”
Reverend Joseph Kelley, Pastor of Saint Monica Parish, as well as SMEP staff and members of the Saint Monica Parish community were also in attendance.
In 1959, Reverend Carmen DiBiase founded The Church of Philadelphia, located at 17th Street and Snyder Avenue, which serves members of many denominational backgrounds and sponsors several community outreach ministries.
The SMEP helps older adults age safely in their homes. The program offers an array of short and long-term services to registered members of Saint Monica Parish. Services include comprehensive care management, in-home safety assessments, referral services, and more. The program also has a modest budget set aside for the provision of safety equipment not covered by insurance, and for the installation of grab bars and other safety devices.
In addition, SMEP offers care partner services. Care partners visit home-boundseniors once a week to help with light housekeeping laundry, neighborhood errands, and more. Services such as these are increasingly important for seniors today, and help offset loneliness and isolation.