The Ripple Effect: Cathy
Meet Cathy Loesch!
Cathy Loesch joined Union Capital in 2024 after applying for and receiving the Thomas J. Ruffen Fund. She joined Union Capital hoping to build connections, meet other community leaders, and grow a network of people who shared her passion for helping others. Since then, she has become an active member of UC, participating in Network Nights, Table Talks, the 10-Year Anniversary celebration, and other events that have helped shape both her personal and professional outlook.
The Thomas J. Ruffen Fund gave Cathy the opportunity and encouragement to take the next step in her career by launching her own private practice. Instead of a traditional business, Cathy envisioned a practice that would serve as a community resource. She says that the encouragement she received through the Ruffen Fund reinforced that her work mattered and gave her the confidence to leave her position at a health center and pursue her vision of owning her own private practice and starting an after-school program aimed at helping children in her community.
Along with helping Cathy start her practice, she says that Union Capital taught her the importance of social capital. Through Network Nights, Table Talks, and other UC events, she built meaningful connections with people and organizations throughout the community. One connection in particular that has stuck with her is with a yoga instructor she met through Union Capital. This connection has since grown into an ongoing friendship and partnership, with the two now collaborating to create a yoga class as part of Cathy's after-school programming. Cathy says that UC helped her shift from an individual mindset to a partnership-focused mindset. She says UC "made the pathway easier to connect with people."
Her experiences with UC inspired Cathy to expand the impact of her private practice by starting a free after-school program for youth. She wanted to create a safe place for young people after school while giving them opportunities to discover their strengths, develop leadership skills, learn life skills, and build their resume. Cathy's is co-led by the youth themselves, allowing them to create and teach classes that interest them. Participants help decide what they want to learn and develop classes around their interests while Cathy provides the materials and guidance. This allows youth to build leadership and resume skills along with helping them learn confidence and responsibility. Most importantly, it strengthens the belief that their voices matter.
The program also teaches youth practical skills. Cathy teaches financial literacy, budgeting, and other everyday life skills and ensures that students have access to mental health resources. Cathy also facilitates a parenting group that allows parents to build community, share experiences, and support one another.
One of the most important goals of Cathy's program is strengthening youths’ connection to their community. Through her after-school program, students participate in community service, attend local events, and build relationships with local organizations and businesses. Cathy introduces youth to Union Capital resources and connects them with programs like Thrive Pathways to introduce students to opportunities. These experiences allow participants to begin building resumes at a young age while developing leadership skills, teamwork skills, and a stronger link to their community. Many students have graduated and used their volunteer experience to help secure employment.
Through her work, Cathy is creating opportunities that extend far beyond her private practice. The support and encouragement she received from UC and the Thomas J. Ruffen Fund helped her start a program that is building community and promoting the success of youth. By helping youth develop confidence, leadership skills, and meaningful community connections, Cathy is creating a long-lasting ripple effect.
"Community leadership is being a part of the community and helping other people want to be involved. It is everybody helping each other."
