The work of Sister Helen Cole and her staff at Camden’s Guadalupe Family Services, helping the city’s distressed families, has been recognized throughout the Delaware Valley in the past few months.
Last month, the organization was given the Federal Bureau of Investigation Director’s Community Leadership Award, with Philadelphia’s Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster citing Sister Helen and her staff for their exceptional efforts to educate Camden’s youth and stem the tide of city violence.
Also during April, Sister Helen Cole, a Sister of Saint Joseph and licensed clinical social worker, was the honored speaker at the Knights of Columbus Madonna Maria Council 3560 (Saint Joseph Church) Communion Breakfast at the Sea Isle City yacht club.
On May 19, Saint Joseph’s University will present Sister Helen with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at their Class of 2018 Commencement in Philadelphia.
A native of Philadelphia, Sister Helen has served in Camden for almost 30 years. In 1995, she founded Guadalupe Family Services, offering clinical counseling and direct social services for families, and primarily works as a grief counselor for the families of murder victims.
Every year at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, she leads a vigil to honor the city’s homicide victims and their memories.