CHICAGO - On June 26, a video portrait featuring Catholic Charities’ St. Leo Campus, titled “A Soldier’s Return,” will be premiered at the Innovations in Effective Compassion conference, sponsored by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in Washington, D.C.

The video won first place for domestic service in the Portraits of Compassion video contest, which solicited entries from faith-based organizations around the country this spring. The goal of the contest is to shed light on the countless caring Americans who offer help and hope to their neighbors in need. Catholic Charities’ entry to the contest highlights the vital work of nonprofits and hopefully will inspire others to service as well.

The video portrays Caesar Hill, St. Leo’s community liaison, and the story of how he rose to the rank of lieutenant in the Navy, brought himself back from the depths of homelessness, and now inspires other veterans to do the same.

“I do not have the words to express the gratitude I have toward Catholic Charities,” said Hill. “Because of their help I made some vital life changes, and now it is a blessing to do the work that I do. I just do my best; I have the will, but God gives me the power.”

Catholic Charities’ St. Leo Campus, located in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood, helps Catholic Charities reach its goal of keeping veterans safe and off the streets. The St. Leo Campus is comprised of Catholic Charities' St. Leo Residence, the Auburn Gresham Community Based Outpatient Clinic, the St. Leo Veterans Garden, and the Pope John Paul II Residence, which provides apartment housing for persons who have physical disabilities. By bringing these much-needed services to Auburn Gresham, Catholic Charities is tackling the problem of homeless veterans and improving the Chicago community's capacity to serve its veterans.

Rev. Michael M. Boland, Administrator, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, will be greeted by President Bush who will be making remarks at the conference.

“We are thrilled to have been chosen as first place winners for the Portraits of Compassion video contest. Caesar Hill is a role model for all veterans out there who may be struggling with homelessness or other hardships. Furthermore, I am honored to attend the conference because we believe faith-based organizations can effectively partner with government entities to make a difference in society,” said Rev. Boland. For more information on the St. Leo Campus for Veterans, visit www.stleoveterans.com. To view the video “A Soldier’s Return,” visit www.catholiccharities.net and click on ‘videos.’

Now in its 90th year, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is the largest private, not-for-profit social service agency in the Midwest, annually assisting 1.1 million persons in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background. Catholic Charities fulfills the Church's role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, competent, professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities