Jack McCarthy and family (summer 2001)
John Thomas (Jack), 1952 (son of Don and Bonnie McCarthy)
Jack graduated with a Masters degree in social work from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1977. In the early part of his career, he was a social worker for the Children’s Aid Society in Ottawa. In 1989, he became the Executive Director of the Somerset West Community Health Centre, an organization that provides health and social services to an inner city multicultural neighbourhood in Ottawa. In 2009 Jack celebrated 20 years at the Centre.
His professional career has involved a 15 month secondment to Health Canada as a senior policy advisor on primary health care in 2000-2001. Since 2004, Jack has been the President of the Canadian Alliance of Community Health Centre Associations. This involvement has lead to much travel within Canada to community health centres in urban and rural settings, promoting this model of comprehensive primary health care. As part of an international AIDS research program, Jack got the opportunity to travel to Rwanda and Kenya in Africa in 2007. In 2009 Jack received a “Community Builder Award” from the United Way of Ottawa.
In 1979, Jack married Sharon D’Arcy, who has an extensive career in working both in women’s social service programs as well as community mental health and addictions programs. They have two daughters:
- Patricia Kate, 1984. Kate is a 4 year Honour’s graduate of the University of Ottawa in political science. Currently working in retail in Ottawa, Kate begins a Social Work program in Toronto this fall. After completing her studies, Kate plans on find a job doing community work. Presently, Kate volunteers her time at the Rochester Heights Community House in downtown Ottawa helping low income families. Kate is a sports enthusiast, continuing to play soccer as well as teach it to underprivileged children.
- Kaeli Anne, 1988. Kaeli is in her third year of a Communications program at Carleton University in Ottawa. In 2008, she fell in love with Saskatoon while spending most of the summer there learning French. Kaeli as well is a sports buff who is active in women’s soccer. When not in school Kaeli works in retail and in the hospitality industry.
