Few find themselves in the Oval Office at the White House.
Morgan Hill resident Greg Kepferle was invited to meet with
President Barack Obama to share the work being done by the Catholic
Charities of Santa Clara County, of which Kepferle is the CEO.
Few find themselves in the Oval Office at the White House. Morgan Hill resident Greg Kepferle was invited to meet with President Barack Obama to share the work being done by the Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, of which Kepferle is the CEO.
“The president was very engaging, warm, thoughtful and genuine,” Kepferle said. “I had the opportunity to talk about the needs of families in San Jose, the creative anti-poverty work of Catholic Charities and of our partnership initiatives including Step Up Silicon Valley and the Franklin-McKinley Children’s Initiative.”Kepferle accompanied executive leaders of Catholic Charities USA for a private meeting in the Oval Office with Obama as the president recognized the social service organization for its 100 years of service, discussed their bipartisan legislative initiative related to poverty relief and congratulated them on their upcoming centennial celebrations.
Last weekend, in Washington, D.C., Catholic Charities USA celebrated 100 years of service and advocacy, convening with its historic Centennial Gathering.
Catholic Charities USA was founded in 1910 “to bring about a sense of solidarity” among those in charitable ministries. Since 1910, Catholic Charities USA has encouraged professional social work practice, provided opportunities for training and networking, and served as a national voice and expert on poverty issues. Catholic Charities operates several programs in Morgan Hill, including running El Toro Youth Center, providing client advocacy services to residents in affordable housing, ombudsman services for residents of nursing homes, and assistance for caregivers of seniors in adult daycare.
Kepferle took some time to answer a few questions:
Morgan Hill Times: For all those people out there who won’t find themselves sitting in the Oval Office, what was it like? How did it feel to meet the president and visit the White House in that way?
Kepferle: No matter one’s political party, it was an awesome experience to meet the President of the United States in the Oval Office. At the same time he was a warm, genuine and down-to-earth person. He immediately made us feel at home and comfortable; it was like sitting in the living room having an easy conversation with a good friend who was interested in what we had to say. And then to end the conversation by standing in a circle holding hands in prayer with the President was too powerful for words.
Times: What did it mean for Catholic Charities to meet with the president?
Kepferle: Catholic Charities has had several presidents honor the organization. President Taft spoke at the founding conference of Catholic Charities in 1910. Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, and Clinton also met with Catholic Charities. It was a way President Obama could honor the good work of Catholic Charities around the country for the last 100 years. It also gave us an opportunity to let him know about our new legislation to reduce poverty in America and for him to hear first hand what is happening in local communities like Santa Clara County.
Times: What’s something you learned about the White House or Obama that you didn’t know before going there?
Kepferle: Well, I knew that President Obama had been a community organizer years ago, and it was interesting to observe that he carried those roots with him. He remembered all the churches he organized in. He also listened carefully, asked probing questions, and made sure everyone was heard. No wonder he is sometimes called the “Organizer in Chief.” It’s one thing to have the president make a speech, it’s a completely different experience to know that he is listening to what you have to say. The image I will always remember is the face of the president listening intently, and seeing over his shoulder a bronze bust of Lincoln, as if he, too were listening. Truly awesome.
