The late Thomas Freaney Jr., a caring father and attorney who helped create the board, served on the board for many years and created the documents to establish Gabriel Homes’ legal entity.
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The late Aaron Palmer who was on the staff of Catholic Charities and helped establish the organization. He served as the first Executive Director for Gabriel Homes over 10 years and helped integrate our residents to be part of the Reston Community.
He began his social work career in Wilmington, DE at Family Services of Delaware. In 1958, he moved to CT, where Mr. Palmer continued to pursue his social work career with Catholic Charities, Dioceses of Norwich for 12 years. In 1970, he moved to Fairfax, VA, where he became executive director of Catholic Family and Children Services, which later became Catholic Charities of Arlington Diocese. During Mr. Palmer's tenure, many new programs were initiated, including Gabriel Homes.
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The late Patrick Kane who is a fixture in the Reston Community and whose legacy is seen all over the Reston area. He answered an ad in the paper to help establish an inclusive community where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can live. He lived his motto, ”Why Not Today?” and he planted in the founder's thoughts, "why not Reston?"
Patrick, a community planner who was instrumental in the development of Reston, ensured that it would be a place where everyone can live, regardless of race, creed, economic status, and it attracted resident pioneers with a keen sense if social justice. It was the place of the first Gabriel Home's dwelling and we remain here decades later.
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The late Fr. Gerry Creedon, a leader, a dedicated man of world ministry, and a man whose gifts to our community leave a legacy that is too vast to talk about in such a short time. The longtime pastor of Holy Family Church in Dale City was beloved from Ireland to the Dominican Republic and throughout Virginia. He was known for being a voice for the poor, an accomplished poet and musician, and an inspiration to many.
He was the director of Catholic Charities in the early 80’s, when Fran Campbell, a mother of a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities, approached him to talk about how they could work together to be change agents for adults having a desire to live independently in our community. Without his leadership, Gabriel Homes would not exist.
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The late Fran Campbell; a mother, a visionary, a change agent who dreamed of something better for her child and others who have amazing abilities to offer to an inclusive community. Fran and her husband William had four children and along with other parents of developmentally disabled children fought for public school education for their children. This led to a career in special religious education for the developmentally disabled.
In the early 80’s, Fran approached Fr. Gerry Creedon, the director of Catholic Charities at the time, to talk about how they could work together to be change agents for adults having a desire to live independently in our community. Without her pioneering vision and the partnership with Catholic Charities, Gabriel Homes would not exist.
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John has lived with Gabriel Homes since 1989. He is part of the soul of Gabriel Homes and is a friend to all. He is the perfect example of our mission to enable those with developmental and intellectual disabilities to live safely and independently within the local community. John was only 22 years old when he moved to Gabriel Homes, since then he has grown into an independent, mature gentleman who has successfully maintained competitive employment in the community as well as friendly relationships with neighbors. He is also a regular and welcome visitor to many local establishments. Just as the founders of Gabriel Homes hoped, John has been able to live in a meaningful way and be a valuable member of the community through the various stages of his life. He continues to be an integral member of the Gabriel Homes and Reston community.
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Chris moved to Gabriel Homes in 1989 when he was just 23 years old and fresh out of school. Since then, he has grown and matured into an outgoing and outspoken man who has become the face of Gabriel Homes to many in the community. He is well known and well respected in the local community, an active participant at St. John Neumann's and has a leadership role with the Knights of Columbus. Chris often represents Gabriel Homes at important events such as the KOVAR Grant Awards, Parish Events, Bishop's Masses, FCPS Transition Fairs and other occasions where Gabriel Homes wants to put its best foot forward. He is the embodiment of this organization's mission. Spend any time with Chris and you will soon realize he may be small in physical stature but big in character.
In 1990, Fr. Gerry Creedon, was called to a ministry in the Dominican Republic and asked Fr. Bob Cilinski to join the board of Gabriel Homes. He agreed and two years later, became the President of the organization.
At the time, Gabriel Homes had two homes and was struggling to pay their bills. So, Fr. Bob rallied students at George Mason University and held a fundraiser where his all-priest basketball team played members of the Washington Redskins in the GMU Stadium. They raised $5000 that night and closed the Gabriel Homes’ financial books with $300 in the bank.
He vowed to not have another year like that and lead the organization to hold other fundraisers, including our premier golf tournament. Fr. Bob also helped advise the organization to create a foundation to help benefit us long term and was actively involved in fundraising efforts with the community to support stability.
In the 33 years that Fr. Bob served as President and Board member of Gabriel Homes, his contributions are endless.
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In 1998, Mike Holupka was asked by Fr. Bob, to serve on the Board of Directors of Gabriel Homes. Mike, who was already involved in many community projects in the region, agreed to serve and assumed the role of Chairman of the board.
In the 25 years that Mike Holupka served as Chairman of our Board of Directors, Mike recognized the organization’s biggest asset are our residents and made it a priority to ensure that they lived in homes that were safe, clean, and uncluttered.
Mike provided personnel from the Anderson Company and B&B Signal to help with repairs, landscaping, building improvements and any other work needed on the homes. He has also created the Gabriel Homes Work Crew (GHWC), a group of his retired friends who go to the homes monthly to do various jobs in support of our residents.
He created board committees like the Strategic and Planning Committee to address our home maintenance and the Health and Welfare Committee to address our aging population. Mike’s gifts, in time and service, to Gabriel Homes are seen all over the organization.