Recognizing 23 Years of Passionate Service

Sapana Sharma has made her mark on Catholic Charities through her dedication, passion and love for the mission. After 23 years of committed service, Sapana plans to retire on August 2, 2024.

Sapana was introduced to Catholic Charities while studying for her Masters Degree. She attended a presentation from a classmate which she recalls being very informative and impressive. After talking with her classmate about her presentation, Sapana discovered she worked at Catholic Charities for the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program. Through this connection, Sapana began her journey at Catholic Charities as an intern in 1999.

Sapana explained the work Catholic Charities was doing to reduce gender violence intrigued her and the idea of treating these issues as a community while helping survivors and families move toward self-determination and sufficiency is what attracted her most to the program.

“At my core, my values aligned with Catholic Charities’ mission to help the most vulnerable in our society,” said Sapana. “I learned so much and saw how small help could make a life-changing difference in someone’s life for the better.”

During her tenure at Catholic Charities, Sapana served in many different roles, supporting and uplifting the Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program. After interning, she joined the staff full-time as a Shelter and Child Advocate, later transitioning to a Case Manager, Sexual Assault Coordinator, Assistant Program Manager, Assistant Director of Programs for Southwest Iowa and will retire as the Director of Programs for Southwest Iowa. Sapana is grateful for the many opportunities to grow and develop her career while working alongside other dedicated team members focused on making a positive impact.

“Catholic Charities has been a “home away from home” for me,” said Sapana. “I will definitely miss my team and their drive to ‘do better and do more.’”

Looking back on her time with Catholic Charities, Sapana expressed she enjoyed the welcoming environment and her passionate colleagues who would go the extra mile for those in need.  Most of all, she enjoyed seeing clients succeed and achieve their goals.

“I enjoyed celebrating every little or big success that clients or staff shared,” said Sapana. “I also enjoyed the challenges that came from the work which forced me to grow professionally and personally.”

As Sapana prepares for her well-deserved retirement, she is looking forward to spending time with family and friends.

“I am naturally a curious person and there are so many places to see, things to learn and books to read and I am excited to have the opportunity to do so,” said Sapana.

She is also looking forward to getting involved with and supporting the Council Bluffs community and her home community of Nepal.

“I am immensely grateful to Catholic Charities for the welcoming environment, the celebration of diversity, the opportunity to learn and grow, and the Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program team for their support throughout my career,” said Sapana. “I would also like to acknowledge the mentors and friends I gained through this organization that taught me many valuable lessons and always rooted for my success.”

We celebrate Sapana and the legacy she is leaving behind. Her compassion, dedication and leadership have helped the Catholic Charities’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program and have made a lasting impression on the organization as a whole.