Recognizing Cathy Brown: Centre County Commissioners honor late contributor to area
Trending
BELLEFONTE -- Last week the Centre County Commissioners briefly honored two committed public servants that passed away in early 2024; this week they focused more fully on recognizing the contributions to the county by Cathy Brown.
Chairman Mark Higgins read out the recognition for Brown, praising her for being involved in the community.
Cathleen "Cathy" Brown had many hats in the community, according to Higgins.
"(She) was very involved in the Centre County community for a broad variety of different groups, three different human service agencies that work with Centre County Government. (She) built her career around her passion for helping those in need," said Higgins.
Brown served as Development Director for Easterseals Child Development Center, Centre Volunteers in Medicine and Strawberry Fields, Inc. Before her passing, Brown also served as Executive Director of CentrePeace, Inc.
When Brown passed, CentrePeace, Inc. posted the following message on their Facebook page.
"…Cathy was the Executive Director from September 24, 2019 until January 10, 2023. Centrepeace faced challenges during the COVID pandemic, and under Cathy's leadership we were able to maintain our staff and volunteers during those difficult months. Cathy started our Trainee Advancement Program (TAP Program). CentrePeace awards a current CentrePeace trainee a 3-month employment position upon release. This 3-month period allows them to secure living space and seek additional employment opportunities for long-term stability while earning a good wage. When released, time spent being unproductive and unfocused can be a danger to a successful reentry. The TAP program provides structure that allows them to begin earning an income as well as meeting their probation criteria. We also help in obtaining birth certificates, PA photo ID cards, social security cards, resume building and other assistance that will help them find permanent employment."
The comments were flooded with praise for Brown, recalling positive memories with her and what a light she was to everyone's lives.
"Their mission became the heartbeat of Cathy's career, and through it she was able to help many of the formerly incarcerated reintegrate into their communities. After the passing of their prior executive director, Cathy helped reinvigorate the organization. Her leadership dramatically increased the number of individuals served and provided vision for future projects, working on alternative justice programs," said Higgins.
Commissioner Amber Concepcion thanked those of Brown's family who were able to attend the meeting.
"(Cathy) really devoted her life to service to our community. I know that's a sacrifice on the part of the family as well, when your mom or mom-in-law is spending so much of their time out in the community and working with others. You can see the impact she has made in our community has been just incredible. Most recently, her work in CentrePeace has been really critical to our county's mission of ensuring that when people are coming out of our correctional institute, they have some of the skills and support that they need to be successful in their next steps," said Concepcion.
Commissioner Steven Dershem echoed those comments, noting that the loss of Brown was not just a loss to the family but a loss to the whole community.
"Cathy was an incredible woman who really put her heart and soul into whatever she did. I think those of us that knew her and witnessed her acts over a long period of time have utmost respect for her. Your loss is our loss, truly. She was just THAT person for so many reasons. I got to know her really well at CentrePeace. She and I had a similar appreciation for antiques and memorabilia -- we had many conversations in those regards. She was just an incredible person with a beautiful smile, was a wonderful, strong, sensitive woman who we all admire on so many different levels. It's truly an honor for us to say to you and our community that this will be a loss, but one whose legacy will be remembered for a very long time," said Dershem.
All of Brown's children and her husband, Jeff, were in attendance at the meeting to accept the recognition for their wife and mother's many contributions to the county.