Meet the Volunteers

Daisy Giles - Freshman at Rockhurst University and KWC Volunteer

Daisy Giles is a new volunteer at Keeler Women’s Center, having recently discovered it was just down the street from her house. “It’s quite an experience to discover a treasure in your own backyard, ” she says. “I’ve only been here a month, and it already feels like home; I love it here!”

This Rockhurst University student says she found out about Keeler Women’s Center in a roundabout way. Last semester, she obtained a Rockhurst brochure offering students a variety of volunteer opportunities in the metro area. “I chose Catholic Charities,” she says. “It was just down the street from where I live. I came to the Catholic Charities location on Central Avenue, but was told I had to apply at the diocesan office across town -- but then the person at the front desk asked if I knew about the Keeler Women’s Center just upstairs -- and the rest is history, as the saying goes.”

“I trained with one of the more experienced volunteers, then I’ve volunteered each day for almost a month now,” Daisy recalls. “I love it here! There are so many programs for help and personal development for women, and every person is treated with respect and dignity. Each individual is welcomed and really listened to, and then provided with help that is unique to her own situation.”

Daisy and her two younger brothers moved with their parents to Kansas City, Kansas, from California when she was in first grade. She went to Frances Willard Elementary School, then on to Argentine Middle School, where Daisy took a test to see if she could go to Sumner Academy, a college prep high school in KCK. Daisy was accepted, and after completing grades 8-12, graduated from high school at Sumner Academy.

All through high school, she explored many colleges and universities. “Rockhurst University was the first college I visited, and after exploring many others, I chose Rockhurst. I just loved everything about it,” she smiles. After initially declaring her major in Biochemistry, she switched to Psychology with a minor in French. She eventually wants to get a Master’s degree in Business. “I want to make a difference in the world,” she says, “and so many Rockhurst graduates have set such fine examples of good ethical values and helping people through the business world.”

Daisy is especially interested in accounting. “It’s a challenge, but I really like it,” she says. And the women at Keeler Women’s Center really like Daisy!


Luís Ortiz, Job Placement Consultant


Luís Ortiz sits at the desk in the Job Placement Center at Keeler Women’s Center in the Catholic Charities building in Kansas City, Kansas, his dark eyes alight with wonder, recalling how he came here. Two years ago when he retired from a successful banking career, he felt he wanted to do something for others. After prayerful searching, he was led to Catholic Charities and then to a partnership with Keeler Women’s Center in the Wednesday morning Job Placement Center, where he could use his considerable talents and life experience to ‘give back.’ “I’d been so blessed,” Luís says, “and I wanted to do something for others in need.”

”Mine is what you call a classic success story,” he continues. “I grew up bi-lingual and Catholic in a very poor Cleveland neighborhood. The best thing my struggling parents could provide was their insistence on my getting an education; that was the key.” And God did indeed provide an education for Luís -- a Catholic education -- all the way from elementary school through a degree in marketing from John Carroll University.

Luís then entered the banking/finance industry. Being bi-lingual was an advantage, but he was also a man of integrity, and people trusted him. He then realized that, as a mortgage broker, he could help many more people to own their own home. He focused on really getting to know and care about his clients to do everything possible to enable them to buy and keep a home. He had a very rewarding career and retired a few years ago.

Then in 2006, he was diagnosed with cancer. His doctor found the tumor, and surgery was scheduled. After surgery, the doctor announced that the tumor was benign! “It was incredible - like I had been given a whole new life!” says Luis.

After his recovery, Luís began seeking how to use his ‘second-chance’ life. “I asked my priest what to do, and he told me to just search my heart. I searched my heart, and then followed up on one of the priest’s many examples of good works opportunities, and came to Catholic Charities and to the Job Placement program with Keeler Women’s Center.”

Luís now continues to ‘give back’ by helping people find jobs. He assists them in writing resumes, developing interview skills, and searching job posting networks and databases on the internet. But first, he spends time getting to know the client as a ‘whole person.’

“Luís is very gifted in working with people,” says Sr. Carol Ann Petersen, Director of the Keeler Women’s Center. “He gets to know the whole person, and seeks unique solutions to each one’s challenges. He so well exemplifies Keeler Center’s mission of education, advocacy, personal and spiritual development. His empathy is evident as he works with the wide variety of people who come through our door.”


For more information or to volunteer, please click here.

You can contact Keeler Women's Center:
Sr. Carol Ann Petersen, Director
Keeler Women's Center
2220 Central
Kansas City, Kansas 66102
913.906.8990
email: kwc@mountosb.org