George Garchar heads Catholic Charities in Portage, Stark counties

Staff report

George R. Garchar has been appointed executive director of Catholic Charities Serving Portage and Stark Counties, an affiliate agency of the Diocese of Youngstown Catholic Charities Corp.

He succeeds Diana Gray Stromsky, who has served Catholic Charities in various capacities since 2004.

Garchar was hired as executive director for Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities in 1999. He assumed the role of associate director of social action for the diocese in 2006, in addition to his responsibilities with CCHO.

He graduated summa cum laude from Youngs-town State University in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in geography. Garchar also received a master’s degree in geography and a master’s of community planning from the University of Cincinnati in 1983, receiving the American Institute of Certified Planners’ Student Award.

Garchar has an extensive background in planning, housing and community development.

He has served on various local boards of directors and committees, including the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.; Interfaith Home Maintenance Inc.; CASTLO Community Improvement Corp.; Wick Neighbors Inc.; Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership; ACTION; and the United Way Planning Committee.

Garchar is a native of Youngstown, where he lives with his wife, Renee. The couple has two children.

Catholic Charities Serving Portage and Stark Counties is at 206 W. Main St., Ravenna, and 3112 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton, and operates an adult day-services site in Louisville on the campus of St. Joseph Care Center.