Evelyn Dudziec, Founder and Executive Director
Mrs. Dudziec founded Katie’s House in 2001. Concerned about what would happen to her daughter when she was no longer here, she reached out to friends and family to develop a different concept in assisted living homes for the developmentally challenged. The first home opened in 2007 and in 2008 she started an Activity Center for young adults with disabilities.
Mrs. Dudziec also founded Healing the Children Midlantic in 1981 and served as Executive Director for 26 years, stepping down in 2007. Evelyn and her husband Conrad have five children, 4 of whom are adopted. She and her family have been host to more than 60 children coming to the US for free medical care under Healing the Children.
Mrs. Dudziec served 2 years as Board Member for the Maternal Child Health Consortium of Northern NJ, and 3 years on the SCARC Guardianship Services Board of Trustees.
She has been recognized with many honors, including Citizen of the Year (’84), the William F. Johnson award from St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center (’91), Humanitarian of the Year Award (’93), Imagine Award (’94), the First Cathedral Honor Award at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist-RC Diocese of Paterson (1998). She has been featured on Ch 9’s “NJ People”, Ch 5’s “Unsung Heroes” and “Good Day America” and Ch 4’s “Local Heroes”. In 2003 she was presented the Russ Berry Award for “Making a Difference” at New Jersey’s Ramapo College.
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