NOMINATIONS FOR ANY AWARDS ARE DONE THROUGH THE LOCAL PARISHES VIA PARISH PRIEST, SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OR SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Applications for nominations should be submitted to the CYO office for review and to the attention of the Executive Director of CYO.

ST. JOHN BOSCO AWARD

The St. John Bosco Award is the highest honor given by the Northwest Indiana Catholic Youth Organization.  It is given in recognition of long and outstanding service in the interest of Catholic youth.  The St. John Bosco Award honors a minimum of twenty years of youth service and is named for the patron saint of youth work.   The award was established in 1962 and was first presented to Mr. Chuck Smith. 

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

The Community Service Award was established in 1961 to honor those individuals who have assisted youth on  a professional  level.  The award has been presented to the likes of doctors, writers, band directors and newscasters.  These recipients have dedicated their career to working with youth in their own special and unique way.

 

PRO DEO ET JUVENTUTE

The Pro Deo et Juventute (for God and Youth) Award is presented in recognition of continuous and praiseworthy service to young people.  Since its inception in 1956, this award has been presented to a member of the Catholic Youth Organization Board of Directors.  It is named for the previously highest award given by the National Catholic Youth Organization.

 

MSGR. LAWRENCE GROTHOUSE YOUTH AWARD

The Msgr. Lawrence Grothouse Youth Award was initiated as a way to honor outstanding teens and young adults.  It was first presented in 1966 and was named for the founder of Camp Lawrence and the Director of the Gary Catholic Youth Organization  from 1942 to 1959.

 

FATHER VINCENT MOONEY

CATHOLIC YOUTH ORGANIZATION

 YOUTH SERVICE AWARD

The Father Mooney Catholic Youth Organization Youth Service Award was established in 1963.  It gave the organization an avenue for recognizing those outstanding individuals who have given of their time and talents to the youth of our community either at the parish, the district level, or both, for at least five (5) years.  Father Vincent Mooney, C.S.C., was the first Diocesan Director of the Fort Wayne Catholic Youth Organization.  He was assigned to the Gary Diocese from 1933 to 1936 and went on to represent the National Catholic Youth Organization as its Director.