Our Founder
Barbara Garneau
Barbara was born in Leominster, on December 30, 1951 and was a life-long resident. She graduated from St. Cecilia Grammar School in Leominster and St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School, Class of 1970, in Fitchburg. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Anna Maria College in Paxton, where she received her B.A. in Business Administration and Masters in Business Administration. On July 20th, 1987, she was offered the position of Executive Director of Our Father’s House, Inc. for 22 years, she worked with homeless individuals and families. Prior to that she had worked at Union Products, George S. Carrington Co., F. W. Woolworth and Merchants National Bank all in Leominster. She then worked for the 1st District Court of Northern Middlesex in Ayer and at Catholic Charities Youville House, where she also worked with homeless families.
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Barbara was a member of the Joint Coalition on Health, the Mass Council of Human Service Providers and the Mass Housing and Shelter Alliance. She was Co-chair of the North County Commission on Homelessness and was Co-chair of the North County Detox Task Force. She was a member of St. Cecilia’s Church and was a church soloist. Barbara was a member of the Spirit Seekers, the St. Cecilia’s Folk Group and was a former coach of the St. Cecilia Grammar School Girl’s Basketball Team. She enjoyed skiing, cake decorating, sailing, horseback riding and was a licensed riding instructor.
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Barbara's goal was to provide the best service for the homeless while always respecting their dignity as people.