Maria Skoczylas,recipient of the
Dorothy Richardson Award
for Resident Leadership
Left: Maria Skoczylas with daughter, Francesca
Above: Helping helping serve dinner to the
homeless at the Sabrato Transitional Apartments.
Written By Larry J. Mickartz
I
n 1968 Dorothy Richardson led
the charge to revitalize her Central
North Side Pittsburgh neighborhood.
Dorothy’s organization, Housing
Services Inc. was the forerunner to today’s
NeighborWorks America, a nation organi-
zation focusing on affordable housing and
community development. Today 240 excep-
tional community organizations form the
NeighborWorks America Network.
Annually NeighborWorks America
selects several unique dedicated community
leaders who have made outstanding contri-
butions to affordable housing and commu-
nity development. Awardees have invested
their energies and talents to bring about
specific change that positively impacts their
neighborhoods and communities.
One of those awardees for 2015 is Maria
Skoczylas, an 88-year-old advocate for
the homeless in South County. Maria is a
retired Gilroy teacher who dedicates her
time and energy to the Compassion Center
in Gilroy. The Center is a day program,
Monday to Friday, for the homeless. Maria
currently lives in Morgan Hill.
Maria’s focus these days is not on the
award but on two goals: 1) finding a per-
manent home for the Compassion Center
as their lease expires later this year and 2)
finding funding and a permanent location
to house more of the homeless in the South
County area.
Friends and family know Maria as the
lady who collects clothing and supplies
for the homeless. Maria sits on several
local non-profit boards. Maria’s daughter
Francesca has partnered with Maria in her
endeavors since Francesca was in grade
school. Material that cannot be used by
the Compassion Center is turned over to
Community Solutions.
Maria and Francesca will travel
to Louisville Kentucky, home of
NeighborWorks America to attend the
annual conference and receive the award
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
on Friday, October 16, 2015. Normally six
people receive the award each year. Dennis
Lalor, the former CEO of South County
Housing, now operated by Eden Housing,
nominated Maria.
Congratulation to Maria Skoczylas for
a lifetime of dedication to the homeless.
Maria is not shy and welcomes donations
big and small.
You’re invited to attend
Gilroy Compassion Center’s
Harvest Moon Dinner and Dance
September 11, 2015 from 5:30 to 9 pm
Fortino Winery (4525 Hecker Pass Hwy)
Tickets $50
For information and tickets:
Shawn M. Wymouth 408.607.1284 or
compassioncenter.brownpapertickets.org
gmhtoday.com
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