By Elena Macias
After 21 years of dedicated service as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Catholic Charities San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, Ken Sawa has retired, and the non-profit faith-based organization has named its new leader, Tim Ney of San Diego.
“My time at Catholic Charities has been jam-packed with amazingly unique experiences and opportunities,” Sawa said. “My best memories are working with so many uniquely gifted, like-hearted and like-minded people all doggedly determined to do good for others.”
Sawa first joined Catholic Charities in October 1992, fresh out of social work graduate school, as an associate therapist and later as the Program Director of Counseling Services. In July 2003, Sawa was appointed as the CEO/ Executive Vice President of Catholic Charities by Bishop Gerald Barnes.
“My family life and my ministry at Catholic Charities are the jewels in the crown of a very well-lived life. The opportunity to wear my spirituality, values, and education on my sleeve every day at work has been a precious gift that I have always cherished,” Sawa said.
Catholic Charities San Bernardino and Riverside Counties is the official Social Outreach Ministry of the Diocese of San Bernardino. The organization’s purpose is to fight poverty through crisis intervention services and by strengthening families. Its caseworkers, therapists, immigration specialists, and homeless outreach workers provide vitally necessary social services, so individuals and families in need can get past their immediate crisis and move forward with their lives.
In the 2024 Report to the Community, Catholic Charities published statistics of how many individuals benefited from the services provided such as, 2,295 people from homeless prevention services, 19,989 people were provided food assistance, 5,577 people benefited from utility assistance, teletherapy counseling provided 1,774 clinical hours of service, 1,021 households benefited from immigration services, and 264 households benefited from burial assistance.
Tim Ney has been named as the incoming CEO of Catholic Charities. Ney brings extensive experience in hunger relief and mental health support systems, along with a strong ability to connect with partners to make a meaningful impact in the community. As the former Chief Operating Officer at Feeding America San Diego and Executive Director of the Armed Services YMCA San Diego, Ney is extremely passionate about the mission of Catholic Charities and the vital services it provides in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
“I look forward to working with the dedicated staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, local officials, and constituents to build upon the 34 years of dedicated and passionate leadership of Mr. Ken Sawa,” Ney said. “My extensive experience and deep commitment to social service will drive the mission of Catholic Charities forward as the organization continues to serve those in need. I am committed and passionate about bringing positive change in our community at a time when people need it the most.”
Ney holds a degree from Chapman University in Organizational Leadership, an Executive MBA from San Diego State University. He is a United States Marine Corps Veteran whose family has a long history of national service. Ney’s father, Joe Ney, CWO4 USMC Ret., served in Vietnam, and his son, Elias Ney, is a U.S. Navy Romeo helicopter pilot.
Sawa has great hopes that the foundational culture of local Catholic Charities will remain and flourish.
“I am confident that our focus on ‘Who we are, what we do, and why we do it’ will continue to carry Catholic Charities through the challenges and great steps forward that will undoubtedly come with new leadership,” Sawa said. “With my departure, I have confidence that Catholic Charities will enter a new era of increased stability, development, and growth. It’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it – always with a spirit of boundless commitment to love and serve the poor. Then with God’s grace, Catholic Charities will be good to go for another 45 years!”
Elena Macias is the Managing Editor of the Inland Catholic BYTE and El Compás Católico.