25 years helping those in need

It was nearly 20 years ago, but Tom MacIntyre can't forget the day Catholic Community Services celebrated its move into a vintage brick building in downtown Everett.

"The day we were having our dedication, a young mom comes in and leaves a 2-year-old child. She says, 'I can't do this anymore,'" MacIntyre said.

Any distress over the interrupted party was fleeting. "She could have hurt this child," MacIntyre said. "This was a wonderful gift. She gave life and she gave her child a chance."

One woman's crisis sums up the mission of an agency that helps thousands of people, regardless of background or religion.

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington offers support for those struggling with homelessness, pregnancy, drug abuse, domestic violence, AIDS, mental health issues and poverty.

MacIntyre, 67, has been with the agency 25 years. This week, he's retiring as Catholic Community Services Northwest agency director.

The Monroe man began in 1982 as a counselor and later became head of the agency's Snohomish County family center in Everett. Since 1993, MacIntyre has been director of the agency's Northwest region, which serves Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, San Juan and Island counties.

Under the umbrella of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle, the agency provides everything from chore services for the elderly to Christmas gifts for needy families and counseling for people in Snohomish County's Drug Court program. Funding comes from United Way of Snohomish County, the church, grants and private donors.

Over its 65-year history in the region, the focus has changed as needs change. In the early days, the agency dealt largely with foster care and adoptions.

Marcia Glendenning, also retiring after 19 years with the agency, was key in developing chemical dependency programs, beginning with a county contract in 1989. In 2000, Catholic Community Services became involved in the county's Drug Court program, which combines counseling, drug testing and weekly meetings with Superior Court judges.

"Drug Court is one of the most significant changes I've seen in chemical dependency treatment," said MacIntyre. He has a vivid memory of one young father, who'd gone from drug dealer to responsible worker in a year's time.

Co-workers, friends and MacIntyre's wife, Jan, gathered Thursday at a farewell picnic at Everett's American Legion Memorial Park.

"We're going to miss Tom. He has that wisdom," said Vicki Howell, who'll take over in Everett as the agency's regional chief of operations.

"Tom is an extraordinary guy," said Michael Reichert, president of Catholic Community Services and Archdiocesan Housing Authority of Western Washington. "He's a great gift to the church and a great gift to the community."

Glendenning appreciates his humor. "Once I was frustrated about something and said, 'I can't do everything.' He just sat back with that Irish humor and said, 'Oh, we thought you could do everything,'" she said.

All about service to others, MacIntyre flipped burgers at his own picnic. He'll miss the service aspect of his job, but is heeding a blunt message delivered by his body. After helping two of his three children get settled at Gonzaga University in Spokane last August, he suffered a heart attack while driving back on U.S. 2.

"That was kind of a miracle story," he said. His chest pains came as they neared the fire station in Gold Bar. "There were about 20 people there for medical training," he said.

Rushed to Providence Everett Medical Center, he had an angioplasty. MacIntyre has since lost 30 pounds and taken up exercise. With retirement, he's removing the big stress piece of the puzzle.

"I'm just so thankful he's here," Jan MacIntyre said. "We're going to have fun."

Columnist Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460 or muhlsteinjulie@heraldnet.com.