Pope Francis Center to Honor Bartush Family Foundation, Nettie Seabrooks and Jim Tobin at 2023 Gala
The Bartush foundation, Seabrooks and Tobin to be celebrated for helping Pope Francis Center fulfill its mission of serving Detroiters experiencing homelessness
DETROIT, Mich., Feb. 21, 2023 — Three long-time supporters of the Pope Francis Center will be honored for their community service and leadership at the 2023 Building Bridges Gala on April 20.
The honorees are the J. Addison Bartush and Marion M. Bartush Family Foundation; Nettie Seabrooks, who served key roles with the Detroit Institute of Arts, former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer and General Motors; and Jim Tobin, retired executive vice president of Magna International.
“The many contributions of the Bartush foundation, Nettie and Jim have made it possible for the Pope Francis Center to provide the life-saving work of serving Detroit’s chronically homeless population,” said Fr. Tim McCabe, SJ, executive director of the Pope Francis Center. “We are also so thankful for all they have done to help bring our Bridge Housing Campus to life.”
About J. Addison Bartush and Marion M. Bartush Family Foundation
The J. Addison Bartush and Marion M. Bartush Family Foundation was established to help enhance the quality of life in underserved communities with a focus on new and innovative programs.
Established by Detroit businessman, J. Addison Bartush, and now in its third generation, the foundation was instrumental in renovating the administrative office, medical treatment rooms, and equipping the kitchen that Pope Francis Center uses to serve warm nutritious meals to approximately 200 people a day at its location on St. Antoine.
The foundation was also an early supporter of the $34 million Bridge Housing Campus, purchasing the land in the Core City neighborhood. When completed, the campus will provide 40 individual apartments and services to chronically homeless individuals transitioning to permanent supportive housing.
The foundation is represented by Joseph Bartush, Susan Bartush Cugliari and Stephen Cugliari. Susan also serves as a Pope Francis Center board member.
About Nettie Seabrooks
Over a nearly 50-year career, Nettie Seabrooks worked to make life better for the people of Detroit and Michigan. After earning degrees in Chemistry and Library Science, Seabrooks spent 31 years at General Motors, retiring as director of government relations for the automaker’s North American Operations.
Seabrooks served as chief operating officer and chief of staff for Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, earned a Master of Arts degree in Art History, and then spent 10 years at the Detroit Institute of Arts in various capacities, including chief operating officer. One of the founding members of the Pope Francis Center board, Seabrooks has been crucial in guiding the organization’s work and growth.
About Jim Tobin
After moving to the Detroit area from Canada as a child, Jim Tobin fell in love with the city and finding opportunities to support its youth. Tobin retired from Magna International in 2020 after a nearly 40-year career of industry leadership and community service. During his tenure, Tobin served as chief marketing officer, president of Magna Asia, and held senior executive positions at Cosma International, Magna’s body and chassis systems unit.
Tobin has been a long-time supporter and contributor to the Pope Francis Center and co-chaired the organization’s fundraising efforts for the Bridge Housing Campus. In addition, Tobin’s community work includes serving on the Focus: HOPE Advisory Board as well as being Magna’s champion for the Detroit Cristo Rey High School and Loyola High School work study programs, offering educational and career opportunities to nearly 50 Detroit-area students since its inception in 2014.
Background:
Located in the heart of downtown Detroit, the Pope Francis Center provides vital services to the city’s homeless. On an average day, we welcome nearly 200 guests and provide them with nutritious meals, showers, laundry and access to doctors, dentists, lawyers, housing providers, and job training through our free clinics. We have been serving Detroit’s most vulnerable citizens since 1990, and we are committed to eradicating chronic homelessness in our city. For more information, popefranciscenter.org. You can also follow Pope Francis Center on Facebook and Instagram.
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