Staff of the Macdonald Center
Executive Director: Pat Janik
Pat Janik brings to the Center an extensive background in social services and teaching. Her academic background includes a Masters in Public Administration and professorships in dental hygiene. Most recently she was the Director of the Southwest Washington Agency on Aging. Prior to that, she was a program specialist on aging with the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington DC. She spent several years working with Catholic Charities and has lived in and worked with a great variety of communities and cultures.
“Working for the Macdonald Center and with the wonderful staff, volunteers, donors and community is an irreplaceable gift for me. The Center is a model of service to inner-city poor with exciting challenges for future growth. More than that, love and caring permeate the atmosphere. It is a joy to be part of it! I hope to share this special place and encourage more people to embrace our vision and future.”
Director: Marylee H. King
Marylee King did undergraduate work at Oregon State University and received a graduate degree from Indiana University. She joined the staff of the Center after twenty five years in higher education student services.
“The Macdonald Center drew me into ministry to the homeless and near homeless after years in higher education. The opportunity to befriend and serve the socially isolated and poorest of the poor, as well as to work with nursing students, seminarians and community volunteers pulled harder than any resistance and fear. God’s call has persisted. Yet, my sense is that I am learning and gaining the most from these relationships.”
Outreach Coordinator: Sarah Knuth
Sarah Knuth received a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology in May, 2004 from the University of Arizona in Tucson. In August of that year she joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and went to southeastern Montana to work on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations. Subsequently she was placed in Portland and worked at JOIN, a homeless outreach organization, where she managed the day center.
“These are friends who in many ways are most different from me. They are living on the margins, their pasts riddled with pain, suffering and sadness. In other ways though, they are most like me. We share our raw humanness and our pure souls – no pretense, no expectation, no fear. Just love. After all, all you need is love. My hope is to expand our visiting program, increase the quality and regularity of our visits to people in Old Town, and continue the fun we are having here. We’d love it if you’d join us!”
Pastoral Coordinator: Mufti McNassar
Mufti McNassar grew up on Portland's near east side. In 1973 she and her husband, Pat, opened their home as a Catholic Worker House of Hospitality. They lived a life of voluntary poverty and sheltered and advocated for those whom God sent to their door. In 1975, with two other families, they started Catholic Worker Kitchen - a free kitchen that eventually became the St. Francis Dining Hall. Mufti has a certificate in Spiritual Direction and much experience with ministry to the dying, family-based monasticism, and cooking for multitudes.
“Coming to the Macdonald Center has been a homecoming for me. I have been welcomed wtih open and loving hearts. Here, by 'listening with the ear of the heart' I meet God, my heart's desire, in the lives of the residents, volunteers, staff and street folk. These brothers and sisters share so generously - their stories, their acceptance, their woundedness and their humor. My life has come full circle.”
Office Manager: Cristiana Gilman
Cris Gilman completed her BA in Fine and Performing Arts at Portland State University while working in a leukemia research lab at OHSU. Upon leaving OHSU, whe went to work in the for-profit sector as a marketing coordinator. It didn't take long before she realized that the for-profit sector was not for her. Cris left her professional career to raise her two children and when she decided to return to work in December, 2007, the Macdonald Center was an exciting fit.
“I wanted to have a job where I could wear lots of hats; a job I would love to go to everyday. This place has such a good feel, provides such a warm space. The people who live and work here are so inspirational and have been so open to sharing their stories. My hope is to continue to learn and grow here and to help the Macdonald Center realize its dreams for the future.”
