Congratulations to Sister Mary Ann LoGiudice,
2018 Champion for New York’s Children and Families

On October 22, 2018, the Maternity and Early Childhood Foundation hosted our eighth annual fall luncheon at the Century House in Latham, New York. We were excited to honor long-time supporter and advocate for children and families as the 2018 Champion for New York’s Children and Families.

Sister Mary Ann LoGiudice joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1965 and, since then, has been an engaged member of the Mercy Community. She has held several board and committee positions, including Board Chair for Support Ministries for Persons with AIDS, a board on which she has served for over 20 years. Sister Mary Ann spent the majority of her professional career at Community Maternity Services. She joined the organization in 1978 as Residential Director of the Maternity Center and held a variety of roles with the agency before becoming Executive Director in 1990, a position she held for 25 years. Community Maternity Services provides a multitude of services including care for pregnant and parenting teens and their families, group residence and family care for children, adoption and foster care services, and supportive resources for families at risk. She has also served as Executive Director of the Arbor House, a halfway house for women released from incarceration, as Outreach Program Coordinator for St. Patrick’s Parish, and as a second grade teacher at the Holy Cross School. Sister Mary Ann and award-winning journalist Paul Grondahl co-authored That Place Called Home: A Very Special Love Story, an inspiring account of Sister Mary Ann’s experience as a mother to her adopted daughter Barbara, who arrived at the Farano House, a residence for children living with HIV and AIDS, in 1988.  Sister Mary Ann’s current ministry is Local Coordinator and Administrator of the motherhouse for her religious community, the Sisters of Mercy.

Standing alone, each of these roles is worthy of admiration. Each conveys kindness, love, and thoughtfulness. However, Sister Mary Ann’s work as a whole –as a series of roles focused on social justice, advocacy for children, and human dignity – is an extraordinary and inspiring commitment to the community.

Let love be the root and foundation of your life.