Ken Reed-Bouley, M.Div. MBA
Director
I grew up in Massachusetts. I am the youngest of four with three older sisters. I attended the University of Notre Dame as an undergraduate where I first became immersed in experiences of faith, service and justice. After college I volunteered for a year with the Dominican Volunteers. I lived with Dominican priests while teaching at Hales Franciscan, an African American male high school on the South Side of Chicago. After three years at Hales, I joined campus ministry at Loyola University Chicago where I worked for seven years–mainly in faith, peace and justice work–while earning my Master of Divinity and Master of Pastoral Studies. I earned my MBA while working at Creighton. My wife, Jennifer, and I have two daughters. Maya, was born in March of 1998, and Rosa was born in December of 1999. They are the joy of our lives. I love my work at the CCSJ. The work of service, faith and justice is both fun and full of meaning.
Kelly Orbik
Assistant Director
I grew up in Papillion, NE. While I haven’t moved far from home, I have traveled every chance I have gotten (even though it worries my parents)- to El Salvador, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and on 6 domestic service trips. These experiences have been incredibly educational, inspirational and life changing- it is truly amazing how connected we are as a human family, how much we depend on and impact each other. After college I lived in an intentional community called the Namaste Community. My B.A. is in Justice Society and Spanish (Creighton ’06). My Masters is in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution with an international concentration through the Werner Institute. I enjoy mediating with the Concord Center, doing Alternatives to Violence Workshops, helping coordinate Adult Education classes with Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim, and serving on the leadership board for Ixim: Spirit of Solidarity, a twinning relationship between Omaha and Huehuetengango, Guatemala. I am also an active member on Omaha Together One Community’s Just Immigration Action Team.
Wendy Maliszewski
Official Office Firefighter
Wife, mother, fiber artist are three words I would use to describe who I am. Omaha has been my home since 1969. I am a Central High School alumnus and attended the University of Nebraska graduating with a degree in Textiles, Clothing and Design. I have been married to my wonderful husband Joe, since 1976. We have two amazing daughters. Our oldest, Kelly, lives in Omaha. She is an Esthetician working at a Med Spa while taking classes to become a Dental Hygienist. Brianna also lives in Omaha and just finished the Accelerated Nursing program at Creighton. She will be taking her board exams in Sept. and is already looking for a job. I love my work here in the CCSJ. Through it, I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people from all over the world. Our students continually amaze me with their knowledge on the issues and their commitment to justice. They also have the uncanny ability to make me laugh. They give me so much hope for the future of our world.
Molly Dellaria
Graduate Fellow
I am originally from Sauk Prairie, a small town in Wisconsin. I am the middle child between two wonderful brothers and absolutely adore my family. A recent grad from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, I earned degrees in both Catholic Studies and Psychology. This past summer I married another St. Thomas Alum – Benjamin Dellaria – who is currently pursuing a Medical Degree at Creighton and is sure to make many appearances in the CCSJ office. As the new Graduate Fellow for CCSJ, I will be helping out on the Service Trips Core Team as well as working part-time at the front desk while earning a Masters in Creighton’s Ministry program. Though this is my first time working with the CCSJ, I have had a growing passion for service and justice since high school. Participating and leading different service immersion trips around the country and abroad, I am excited to continue to foster these passions and discover new ones with the CCSJ community. When not in the office, I love cooking and baking, exploring new places and always welcome a new workout buddy!
Patrick O’Malley
Graduate Intern
I recently graduated from Creighton University with a BFA in Technical Theatre and will be working as the CCSJ Graduate Intern as well as being the Stage Manager for the BlueBarn Theatre. As a part of my internship, I will be pursuing a MBA from Creighton University. I grew up extremely involved with the L’Arche community: sharing meals with the community as well as working on the fundraisers and special events put on through the community. At Creighton my first experience with the CCSJ was a Fall trip my Freshman year when I had the chance to travel to Pilsen, a Hispanic community on the south side of Chicago. Since then, I have become the student the office can’t get rid of through my participation in 5 other service & justice trips, my involvement on the communications team, with weekly service, and Project Homeless Connect Omaha. When not doing Service, I spend my time working in the CCSJ or the theatre.
Christine Bolas
My first and last fall semester on campus is about to begin, and I’m definitely glad it includes the CCSJ! I am a senior, majoring in Justice and Society from Omaha, NE. I spent a year and a half at Saint Louis University and decided to move back to Omaha after missing my little brother a little too much! Yet last fall, I took another leave and spent it in the Dominican Republic with the Encuentro Dominicano Program. This past year I have been involved with the Immigrant Detainee Accompaniment Program visiting immigrants in detention weekly, one of my most formative service and justice experiences. If you ever want to talk tennis, Oprah or Obama, find me.
Maureen Book
I am a senior majoring in Spanish and International Relations, minor in Justice and Peace Studies, and I am originally from St. Louis, MO. I started getting involved with the CCSJ my Freshman year when I went on my first service trip to Pilsen in Chicago. My sophomore year I was a member of the Cortina Community, which gave me so many unforgettable insights into social justice and has continued to motivate me ever since. I enjoy serving weekly at the Pixan Ixim community, which allows me to continue my passion of working with immigrants and speaking Spanish. I also spent a semester studying abroad in Chile my junior year, an indescribable experience that taught me so much about the world and so much about myself. I love doing advocacy work with the CCSJ and I love learning as much as I can about anything and everything. The things that are guaranteed to make me smile are beautiful sunsets, my friends, water fountains, kittens, clean rooms, my Spanish dictionary, sharing baked goods, knee socks, and of course – Harry Potter. I am so excited to be a part of the CCSJ family!
Kelsey Cullinan
Passionate, hard working and determined would be three words that describe me. I grew up in Altoona, IA – the oldest of six children. Currently, I am a senior, Pre-Med, majoring in German and Medical Anthropology with a minor in Biology, and possibly Public Health. I greatly enjoy traveling, being outside and working with children.
Anna Green
My name is Anna and I am from St. Louis, MO. I am a senior, Justice and Society major and Spanish minor. Through service trips, I have been to Wind River Reservation in Wyoming and El Paso, TX, continually being reminded of the value of community and listening. I was also able to spend a semester in the Dominican Republic through the Encuentro Dominicano program last fall. Some of my passions include working with migrants/refugees, people with disabilities, and the environment. I LOVE being outside (especially at dusk), spending my summers at camp, listening to music, and ice cream on waffles.
Laura Green
Why hello there. My name is Laura and I am from St. Louis, MO. I’m a Social Work major with a minor in Justice and Peace Studies. Since participating in immersion trips to La Chinantla, Mexico in high school, my passion for service and justice has only grown stronger. For five years I have been a camp counselor for children with physical and mental disabilities and just finished my second year at a residential, Jewish camp at Lake of the Ozarks! It has brought about incredible relationships and friendships! I LOVE being outside, camping, and swaying in hammocks. Also, get this! I have a twin that works in the CCSJ too and we are identical! I had a year full of community, laughter, and growth in this office and can only hope for another great one this year especially as I join the Service & Justice Trips CORE Team.
Daniela Hinojosa
I am a Junior here at Creighton majoring in Psychology with a minor in Medical Anthropology. Fremont, NE is where I call home, simply 45 minutes away from campus. I am the oldest of 3 and a first generation college student. Service is something I have always been very passionate about, starting in high school. Trying to aid in the solution to issues we see so close to home, is something I aspire to. I have worked with CCSJ this past year as a volunteer in weekly service sites. I have been able to make wonderful friends and build a strong bond with the individuals with whom we work. I greatly look forward to being a part of the CCSJ team this year. It is an opportunity to put the values with which I was instilled to work. It also gives me the opportunity to help those in need, but as well as for personal growth. CCSJ is a great place to find who I am and who I want to be.
Melissa Hollabaugh
Hello! My name is Melissa Hollabaugh and I am a senior from Kirkwood, MO. I am pursuing degrees in Spanish and Justice & Society with a minor in Business Administration. I was first introduced to Spanish in 6th grade and for some reason it just stuck. I’ve cultivated my passion for traveling, studying, and serving among various Hispanic peoples and cultures ever since. Two spring break mission trips to Reynosa, Mexico, in high school furthered my interest in serving through Spanish and led to my participation in the Encuentro Dominicano program in the Dominican Republic my sophomore year at Creighton. I also studied and lived in Lima, Peru, the summer after my junior year. Since then, I have continued serving in various communities, which only furthers my desire to ask questions, cross borders, and make connections. I’m a strong believer in hand-written notes, reading to inform and inspire, music that heals, coffee dates, and the power of a reliable smile. I’m most joyful when I’m serving, which is why I am so happy to serve along with the CCSJ family this year.
Jenny Lambrecht
I am from a small town called Sterling in Colorado and am majoring in Chemistry with minors in Applied Ethics and Biology. Since Freshman year, I have slowly become more involved in service and justice. Living in the Cortina Community my Sophomore year was extremely formative for me and caused me to want to be more involved in the service and justice aspect at Creighton. My first Service & Justice Trip was to El Paso, TX and I will be leading a trip to Sioux City, IA in the fall. I enjoy playing games with my two brothers and spending time with my cousins. I am looking forward to this next year with the CCSJ!
Katie Nedley
Hi there! I’m Katie, and I’m studying Occupational Therapy. I was born and raised here in Omaha, and have a younger sister. I’ve enjoyed being involved in the Service Trip program, which has taken me to Wind River, WY, Clinton, IA, and to two Omaha sites. Over the last three years I have been fortunate enough to have a myriad of experiences with the CCSJ, and I’m excited to continue learning and growing through the office. I love watching old movies, being outside in nice weather, traveling with friends, and learning new things. I’m looking forward to another wonderful year with the CCSJ!
Mike Rios
Hailing from the Western Chicago suburb of Aurora, Illinois, I am a senior Theology major, biology minor, pursuing a Physician’s Assistant program after graduation. Sophomore year I was in Cortina and last year I worked as a Campus Ministry Intern, learning an incredible amount about what they do, how it works, and the vocation of ministry as a whole. I have led a Service Trip to Montgomery, AL and have been a participant to Albuquerque, NM and Sioux City, IA. I am involved in work with Tiny Hands International, a non-profit organization working to combat human trafficking in Nepal, with which I traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal for 6 weeks this summer to volunteer. I believe in the healing power of music and I’ve played guitar since I was 9. Laughter and a good sense of humor are things I treasure in myself and in others, I may or may not be addicted to caffeine, and I always enjoy a good bowl of Rice Krispie TREAT Cereal (there is a difference, I assure you). I’m undoubtedly looking forward to an amazing year!
Will Rutt
I am a senior Theology and Economics double major. I am from Scottsdale, Arizona and have lived there my whole life until I came to Creighton. My first experience with the CCSJ was my Freshman year on the SOA/IFTJ trip. After that trip I was hooked and I have increased my involvement with the CCSJ through the years. I was on the Core Team for the SOA/IFTJ during my sophomore year. I was able to participate in an internship with Interfaith Worker Justice in Arizona with the support of the CCSJ during the summer after my sophomore year. My junior year I was able to speak at the IFTJ and I was also a member of the Advocacy Team in the office. This year I am finally able to be a CCSJ Student Coordinator, and I will continue my work on the Advocacy Team. I am excited for this year, especially to work with all the great staff and other student coordinators.
Elizabeth Samson
Namaste. I am excited to be back in the CCSJ for another year! In the formal classroom, I am a junior Justice and Society major with a minor in Christian Life Studies. Outside of formal education, I have learned a lot through my experiences in the CCSJ on Advocacy and Communications teams, service trips to Pilsen, Chicago and North Omaha as well as various other activities including IFTJ, ISN Leadership Summit, and weekly service at Kellom Elementary. I was also a member of the Cortina community during the 2010-2011 school years. The year I spent in the Cortina community has, by far, been the highlight of my Creighton experience and has been formative for me in countless ways. I will be on the Alumni Residence Council for Cortina this year and am excited to stay involved with such a fantastic program! Along with all of that, I am a Resident Advisor in Deglman Hall. I sound busy but it all magically works out really well. Aside from involvements, I have an optimistic, energy-filled personality with a lot to share. My mind and heart are open and I’m always up for an adventure. Please come visit us in the office anytime, we’d love to get to know you!
Carissa Smith
I am a Senior Justice and Society major with minors in Spanish and Social Entrepreneurship from Des Moines, IA. This is my second year working in the CCSJ and I am excited to be back with my CCSJ family. I left the office last semester to be in the Dominican Republic with Creighton’s Encuentro Dominicano program where I did service twice a week in the Batey working with children of Haitian migrant workers, lived with families in the campo, and became fluent in Spanglish. I visited the new Alta Gracia factory, a fair-trade apparel company in Villa Altagracia. In the Dominican Republic, I formed deep relationships that will stay with me forever. Over this past summer I interned in Washington, DC with the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach doing advocacy work with a focus on Economic Justice. I have been on two Service trips through the CCSJ to El Paso, TX and to the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming and this fall I will be leading a service trip to New Orleans, LA. Outside of the CCSJ I am very involved with NAACP both at Creighton and in my home state of Iowa where I served as the Iowa/Nebraska State-Conference Youth President this past year doing different advocacy and empowerment work in the African-American community. After graduation I hope to return to the Dominican Republic to volunteer for a year or more in the Batey community that I came to love. Besides my work, I love to dance, especially Bachata and Merengue, fill the room with my laughter and simply spend time with family and friends. – Dios se Bendiga
Rebecca Stephan
I am a Senior Medical Anthropology major with minors in Spanish and Justice and Peace Studies. I am very excited to be a member of the CCSJ family and am looking forward to the opportunities this position will present to me. I am very passionate about promoting human dignity and advocating for those without the power or voice to advocate on behalf of themselves. I am a firm believer in the expression: “To whom much is given, much is expected,” and I strive to uphold this belief. I love spending time with my family and friends, smiling and laughing, saying “yes” to new opportunities, exploring the wonderful city of Omaha, and being in the outdoors, preferably sitting in the Jesuit gardens. I am really looking forward to this year and having the opportunity to meet new people, listen to new stories, and form new relationships with this position in the CCSJ!
Sydney Stulock
I am incredibly excited to be joining the office again after a semester apart, during which time I was student teaching at an elementary school in South Omaha. Hailing from Littleton, Colorado, I’ll be graduating in May with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Music. Working in the CCSJ last year, I learned so much about myself, justice issues both local and global, and building relationships through service. My experiences, whether weekly service at Siena/Francis House, service trips to Albuquerque and Pixan Ixim, or conferences like IFTJ and NJSLC continue to inspire me to lead a life that does justice. I was also blessed to study abroad in Lima, Peru for part of this past summer – an immersion experience that continues to impact me and my vision for the future. In addition to learning through these service and justice experiences, I love to read, hike, travel, as well as do anything and everything related to music! I’m looking forward to this last semester joining the passionate and dedicated CCSJ team!
Maria Teresa Gaston
Emeritus Director
Originally from Havana, Cuba, Maria Teresa grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She received her bachelor’s degree in Theology from Marquette University and there began her work in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee with Hispanic youth and young adults. After her marriage to John Witchger (in 1981!) they followed their desire to serve in the missions and moved to the farm worker community of Immokalee, FL. There they joined in organizing efforts with Guadalupe Social Services and ministry with the church while raising their three sons (Felipe, Martin, and Luke). Maria Teresa obtained her Master’s Degree in Religious Studies/Hispanic Ministry from Barry University/Southeast Pastoral Institute in Miami and her Certification in Youth Ministry from the Center for Ministry Development (both in 1988). She taught courses in pastoral planning and group process for Hispanic ministers in the mobile school of the Southeast Pastoral Institute. In the Diocese of Venice in Florida she served as the director of the Campaign for Human Development and Catholic Relief Services until 1998 when the family moved to Omaha for Maria Teresa to become the director of the Creighton Center for Service and Justice. She serves on the Social and International Commission of the Wisconsin Province of the Jesuits, on the Heartland Worker Center board, and on the board of the Omaha Community Foundation’s Futuro Latino Fund.
Maria Teresa explains her work with the CCSJ in a podcast on Catholic Comments.At the Founders Day Mass on February 7, 2010, Maria Teresa was presented with a St. Ignatius Award. Each year, this award recognizes faculty and staff who live in the spirit of Ignatius. Congrats Maria Teresa! Audio of Founder’s Day Mass Maria Teresa’s Ignatian Award Bio/Citation.
