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Catholic Charities head leaving

John Gardner
Glenwood Springs Correspondent
Vail, CO Colorado
Kelley Cox/Post IndependentTom Ziemann has also served residents of Eagle County during his time of Glenwood Springs-based Catholic Charities.
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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado ” Tom Ziemann was reserved when he spoke about his resignation as the director of Catholic Charities.

“This isn’t without a little bit of mixed feelings,” Ziemann said. “I’ve feel that I’ve put a lot into (Catholic Charities), and it’s with a great sadness that I leave, but it’s just time.”

Ziemann has been the executive director of the social service nonprofit ” which also does work in Eagle County ” since its debut in Glenwood Springs in 2000, so stepping down from his post was a difficult conclusion.



“It’s been everything I thought it would be,” Ziemann said. “I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the community and do the work. It’s been all I thought it would be, and more.”

His last day at Catholic Charities is Aug. 15. He will begin his new position as a clinical social worker at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Grand Junction shortly thereafter.

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“He will leave some pretty big shoes to fill, that’s for sure,” said Catholic Charities Advisory Board President Kurt Papenfus.

During his time with Catholic Charities, Ziemann said, he feels as if he’s accomplished what he set out to, more than eight years ago.

“There are a lot of different things that we’ve done from scratch,” Ziemann said. “We’ve grown and become a pretty important piece of the overall social services offered in that time.”

Ziemann spent 15 years as an officer in the Air Force before early retirement in 2000 allowed him to take the director position at Catholic Charities. And he’s looking forward to working with veterans once again.

One of the biggest accomplishments Ziemann reflected on during his time at Catholic Charities was the move into their new facility at the old St. Stephen’s Church on Grand Avenue and 10th Street. The facility has housed Catholic Charities for two years, and is also a hub for social services in Glenwood Springs and Garfield County.

Also housed in the building are the offices of the Salvation Army, LIFT-UP, Feed My Sheep Ministry and Congregation and Schools Empowered (CASE), making it a “one-stop service center,” Ziemann said.

“I’d really like to thank all the people that supported what we do,” Ziemann said. “The volunteers, financial contributors, without their help none of this would have happened.”


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