ALBANY, NEW YORK - September 12, 2011 - Mr. Don Card has created
more than a career at LaSalle School in Albany, NY, he has created a life.
Card vividly remembers his first day on the job.

Don was hired in the office directly across from where he now sits. That day
stands out because a client entered the office, while he was being hired, in
tears. Don was impressed with the way a LaSalle social worker, a child
care worker, and an administrator worked together to calm the child and
ultimately bring him out of crisis. He knew he had found a truly rewarding
place to work. Since that day in 1973, Card has proven to be invaluable to
the school’s success.

His roots at LaSalle run deep. From 1900 to 1905, Don’s grandfather was
raised by LaSalle’s Christian Brothers as an orphan and often told his
grandson how the Brothers helped to shape him. He met his wife, Julie,
while working at LaSalle. She, too, works in child welfare.

In his early career, the Brother’s made working at LaSalle School feel like
living in a family. Mr. Card remembers coming to campus on days off to play
in the division staff vs. student football and softball games. He distinctly
remembers working overnight in the residential divisions. Just when the
night started to seem too long one of the Brothers would come through the
door with a sandwich and a soda. The next few hours would fly by with
conversation.

“I met my best friend here,” said Card. “We talked on the phone every single
day for 18 years,” Don claims his relationship with Bill Cassidy, a child care
worker, is what has kept him at LaSalle for so many years.

Don believes staff who are also parents have a special opportunity to teach
their sons and daughters the needs of other children their age. He recalled
bringing his son to LaSalle so he could observe, first-hand, boys in residence
participating in extracurricular activities. “Having my son come to school with
me opened his eyes to what other kids his age go through and how lucky he
is.”

Currently Mr. Card is Manager of Residential Services responsible for hiring
residential division staff. When interviewing job candidates, Card looks for
qualities he thinks will fit well with LaSalle’s mission to children and families.
Don believes the success of all child welfare agencies depends on hiring
qualified, committed personnel.

“It isn’t some overwhelming achievement that I’ve been here for over 35
years,” Card said. “You’ll find over a dozen staff members who’ve worked
at LaSalle just as long, if not longer.” The reason: LaSalle School is a family
from top to bottom.