Peacemaker Profiles

Ellen and Doug Kasper

"I would not be doing this if I didn't love God," said Ellen Kapser as she reflected on what sustains and energizes her to work for peace and social justice. Ellen and Doug Kasper have been ministering to people for years. Doug became involved in the early 70's after a priest from the Davenport, Iowa diocese spoke of the Barrigan brothers and of "others speaking out and taking action on behalf of social justice."

Meanwhile, Ellen ministers to children and she "zeroed into ministry with teenagers." She has worked with the "Rainbows" program, a program for children of divorced or deceased parents, and with "Partners for Success," a program for students in alternative schools who have been expelled from other schools.

Ellen and Doug currently take in pregnant young mothers or teenage mothers with newborn babies. They embarked on this journey about eight years ago after the Catholic Charities' Gerard Center called and asked them to help. "I think rearing seven children in our blended family prepared us for our foster parenting of teenagers and their babies," Ellen said.

"Doug and I have had five young women and their babies…we mentor them and model parenting skills. The average stay is about one year. However, the last young woman is staying much longer (until she graduates from high school)."

Ellen continued that the mothers often come from troubled families. "One was abandoned, along with her siblings, at age three," Ellen affirmed. Most of the mothers, but not all, stay "in touch" with the Kaspers after they leave.

In addition to their advocacy and mentoring work, Ellen and Doug have been energetic members of Pax Christi, Network, and Bread for the World. They even spent years boycotting "grapes and strawberries because of migrant issues."

Despite all of their work for social justice, Doug declared, "I was wandering around trying to find out what more to do until Tom Garlitz became director of the diocesan ministry office and developed the Peace and Social Justice Institute. I am very grateful for the leadership of Tom Garlitz and Tom Norton."

To this end, Doug quickly became involved in the Joliet Diocese Peace and Social Justice Ministry and he went on their first mission trip to Bolivia as a member of the Construction Corp.

After so many years dedicated to social activism, Ellen and Doug both agree that the support of "good people" advocating for social justice, networking with others in the diocese, the community, and their parish, sustains them.

"I am so pleased with what's happening in our parish and diocese. We've gone so far, searched and struggled so long, and tried to be faithful to the call for some time," Doug remarked. "Now there is no turning back."

The perseverance, passion, and hard work of Ellen and Doug are what sustain those whom they help. Norton commented, "They are the best example I know of people where their greatest gladness has come into contact with the world's greatest needs."

In their spare time (it is hard to believe they have spare time!), Ellen enjoys bird watching while Doug contracts homes and spends time on his computer.

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