After six years as Executive Director of Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland (CCCSR), Daniel Eudene has retired, leaving behind a lasting legacy of service in Rockland County. His retirement marks the close of a distinguished career devoted to serving neighbors in need with dignity and compassion.
For Daniel, a life of service has always been grounded in a simple conviction: doing the right thing matters. Throughout his career, that belief guided his work — placing people first and ensuring that compassion was never secondary to convenience.
“I wanted my work to reflect my values,” Daniel shared. “I wanted to know that what we were doing truly mattered in people’s lives.”
As CCCSR enters its next chapter of service to the Rockland County community, Stephen Papas has been named Executive Director, building on the strong foundation Daniel leaves behind.
Where Mission Becomes Practice
Throughout his leadership CCCSR, Daniel helped shape a culture where mission guided every decision and every interaction.
“CCCSR is truly a special place,” he said. “The staff are deeply committed to a ministry-based approach to service. Mission is always front and center.”
For Daniel, this work has always been about doing the right thing to help everyone — not just hitting the bottom line.
Among the moments that stand out most for him are those that reflect community, faith, and shared purpose: the Cardinal visiting to bless the soil; the close of each warming center season in April, knowing lives were kept safe through the winter; and the generosity of longtime partners like the Vincent Linguanti Lodge 2212, Order Sons of Italy of America, who returned year after year at Thanksgiving with record numbers of food bags filled with everything families needed for a holiday meal.
One encounter early in Daniel’s nonprofit career has stayed with him and continues to shape how he understands the true impact of this work.
Arriving at the office one morning, Daniel met a man waiting outside the Project Hope program, which provides AIDS support and case management. The man wanted to express his gratitude for the care of a caseworker.
“He told me that he had been ready to inject drugs,” Daniel recalled, “but he thought about the caseworker who had treated him with such care — and he stopped.”
“That,” Daniel said, “became my new bottom line.”
Dignity in Action Across Rockland County
Catholic Charities’ mission centers on serving every neighbor with dignity and compassion — and Daniel has seen that mission lived out daily across Rockland County.
“Every person who comes to CCCSR is treated as if they are the most important person to us,” he said. “Clients would often go out of their way to tell me how a staff member made them feel seen, respected, and cared for.”
That commitment was especially visible during moments of crisis. When COVID-19 struck, CCCSR never closed its doors. Instead, the team adapted quickly — expanding food distribution, responding to rising need, and supporting families with limited resources.
Daniel also points with pride to the agency’s work operating the warming center, calling it demanding but deeply meaningful. Staff from different backgrounds came together to connect with guests, ensuring they felt safe, welcome, and valued — regardless of their circumstances.
Daniel credits much of CCCSR’s success to the strength of its relationships. In Rockland County, collaboration is personal and accessible — from county and town leadership to state and federal officials, nonprofit partners, and community coalitions.
“Colleagues are more like friends,” Daniel said. “There’s a real sense that we’re all working together to solve problems.”
As Daniel prepares to pass the baton to Stephen Papas, he does so with confidence and optimism. He points to CCCSR’s deep ties to parishes, the religious community, and Stephen’s broad background as sources of hope for the future.
“I’m thrilled for Stephen to build on our solid foundation,” Daniel shared. “I’m confident he will continue to grow our impact and help us serve even more people.”
A Final Message of Gratitude
Daniel offers a message to the Catholic Charities community — especially its donors, volunteers, and supporters.
“It’s important for our donors to know that every dollar goes directly to helping a neighbor in need,” he said. “We invite anyone to visit, get involved, and see the work firsthand.”
He also emphasized that Catholic Charities of New York leadership and colleagues across the network stand ready to support CCCSR as it enters its next chapter.
After a career shaped by faith in mission and belief in people, Daniel Eudene leaves behind something enduring — a culture of care, a strengthened community, and a legacy of service that will continue across Rockland County for years to come.
To learn more about Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockalnd (CCCSR), please visit: https://www.ccrockland.org/
