Program Advocates
For each Family of Parishes that partners with the Catholic Parenting Initiative (CPI), a Program Advocate will be hired to serve as a liaison for the CPI Program Director/Design Team and the Family of Parishes. Program Advocates will receive training so that they are well equipped and well formed to accompany and evangelize parents and caregivers in their parish communities.
Want more information? Contact us at 716-828-9633 or via email at cpi@olvcharities.org.
Help is All Around
Program Advocates will become friendly faces in the community, individuals who desire to get to know parents, to hear their stories, and help them to connect with one another and build community.
They will be tasked with leading quarterly focus group meetings and building relationships with the individuals in their group. They will be asked to do outreach for CPI, connecting with parents and caregivers in the parish and referring them to CPI resources and extending personal invitations for CPI events. Program Advocates will be expected to attend CPI programming and events and may be asked to lead or facilitate on some occasions. They will meet with the Program Director and other advocates once a month to provide updates and form a community of support for one another.
Interested? Those interested in becoming a Program Advocate should be passionate about serving and ministering to parents and caregivers, and looking for a way to get involved and serve their parish community. This is a part-time, four-year position, based on grant funding. Flexible hours (approximately 10 per week) based on project, programming, and event schedules.
Program Advocates
Maryellen Burger - Family #15
I am a lifelong Catholic. I received my sacraments and attended school at St. Martin’s in South Buffalo. I am a graduate of Mt. Mercy Academy and Niagara University. I have been married to Daniel Burger for 21 years. We have been parishioners at St. Mary’s in Swormville - Together In Christ family since we got married. We have a daughter Mary Catherine who is currently a sophomore at Loyola University Maryland. I am looking forward to being part of the Catholic Parenting Initiative.
Staci Kasprzyk - Family #26
Staci is a mom to a 10-year-old daughter, Norah and has been married for almost 13 years to her husband, Eddie. They live in Cheektowaga, down the street from where they both grew up. Staci works in banking, is very involved in her daughter‘s school PTO a Girl Scout troop leader and is on the board of a nonprofit organization. She grew up in the Catholic faith however it took her daughter to ask about making her communion for her and her family to start going back to church. Our lady of Sacred Heart brought me the space that I needed to grow my faith and learn more about my faith with my family. I’ve been a catechist for two years and have really enjoyed watching the children learn and grow within their own faith in my free time I love traveling reading, going to the theater and finding new restaurants in my hometown. Why CPI? I love having a community of people that have the same interest as I do. I think it is such an important part of every aspect of life, including growing in our faith. I think that parents need to form connection connections with other others in their parish where they can truly connect, and I am excited to help with this.
Jessica Szpylman - Family #9
Jessica Szpylman is deeply dedicated to her faith, education, and family. She balances multiple roles, from leading religious education at Saint Martha Parish to teaching art and physical education at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament School. Her commitment to engaging young people in their faith through family Masses shows her dedication to fostering a strong church community. In addition to her professional and religious roles, she and her husband, Michael, are raising five children across a wide range of ages, which keeps life exciting and busy! Her involvement in high school and all-star cheerleading coaching also highlights her passion for mentoring youth. Why CPI? Jessica is excited to join the Catholic Parenting Initiative as it offers her the opportunity to deepen her faith, strengthen her parenting skills, and remain committed to raising her children with strong Catholic values. Through CPI, she looks forward to connecting with other Catholic parents for encouragement, shared wisdom, and a sense of belonging. By embracing faith-based parenting, she aims to foster strong family relationships, incorporate meaningful traditions, and cultivate a home centered on prayer and faith.
Sarah Malucci - Family #11
Sarah is a catechist for ONE Catholic in Orleans County. She is a mom to a 9 year old, and aunt to many nieces and nephews. From an early age, Sarah helped her mom who was a DRE, in turn first taking on the role of a catechist in high school. Sarah attended D’Youville, where her studies lead her to the culinary field. Life led her down many paths, some further away from the church then she would have liked. Having her son, and his well being in her hands, led her back home. Now back in Orleans County, Sarah works at a local school and loves being involved with her parish. Why CPI? As a mom and really thinking about my son’s spirituality, led me back to actively practicing the faith. Our Catholic heritage is beautiful. It is a rock, upon which we can build all aspects of life. I believe we as parents, have a moral obligation to our children to build them a better future from the inside out. We start this by being an example of our faith. Our faith is deeply rooted in scripture and traditions, and there is nothing better than knowing what we have is truly divine. I want to help other parents and caregivers deepen their faith and love of Christ, no matter where they are starting from. I believe that it is important to build something within families for generations to come. Living in today’s world can be scary, but if we know God’s love for us, we can have the defense to withstand evils and build a better, kinder, more loving future. I am so excited to be a part of this initiative and to help other parents and caregivers reignite, restore, and retain the Catholic Faith!