Ellen began working for Catholic Charities in July 2013, after serving for 34 years as an office and customer service specialist for J.C. Penney Co. Ellen provides administrative support to the Cedar Rapids office staff as well as greeting and providing community resource information to those who call, or visit the office. Ellen has a degree from the University of Iowa in home economics and also works part time for Hancock Fabrics. She comes from a family of 9 with 7 sisters and one brother and has lived in Cedar Rapids for most of her life.