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By Karen Sharpe
The young people who end up in the programs run by non-profit family and youth service agency Domus Inc., of Stamford, Conn., come from the worst of circumstances: families decimated by alcoholism, abuse, addiction, poverty and neglect.
But Michael Duggan '82, executive director, sees through their anger and desperation to the promise of their future.
"All of us at Domus have the Mother Theresa calling," Duggan says. "What I took away from all that Jesuit training is that you see the face of Jesus in everyone. All these kids who are struggling have really resonated with me, and when you become involved with them you see they have tremendous strength. We help to propel them forward to work for change."
Becoming executive director in the early 1990s following a financial scandal that left Domus struggling, Duggan began an improvement and expansion plan for the agency and the population it serves. At the time, Domus consisted of just one residential house for troubled boys. Today, it has grown to include multiple social service programs in conjuntion with Stamford's city government—two charter schools; two afterschool programs; three residential programs; a summer camp; a community center; a juvenile justice center; a life skills counseling program; a mentoring program; a prison visitation program; and a training institute.
Charlie Hannigan '88, a Domus board member since January 2005, says Duggan's vision and drive are what make Domus embody fully the agency's motto: "No child shall be denied hope, love, or a fair chance in life."
"Mike brings years of experience in the not-for-profit world, a passion for helping children and families in need, and a never-ending source of energy to Domus and the community," Hannigan says. "Mike has dedicated his life to serving those in need—embodying the principles learned as a Catholic and taught and demonstrated at Holy Cross."
Duggan has always been interested in working with the downtrodden—especially children—and he traces the cultivation of that desire back to two Holy Cross faculty members: Rev. Robert E. Manning, S.J., who taught liberation theology, and Professor Victoria L. Swigert, who teaches sociology.
More than an administrator, however, Duggan maintains longstanding friendships with many of the youth who have moved on from Domus. One former client, who came from what Duggan calls a horrific background of foster care and losing both parents to AIDS, has become one of his regular confidants. The youth is now an adult—a college graduate with a steady job. He and Duggan talk every couple of weeks.
"We're all lifers here, and they are our brothers and sisters," Duggan says. "It's not because I'm the person here, it's because it's a great place."
Hannigan credits Duggan with being one of the most inspiring people he has met.
"Of the many hundreds of Holy Cross alumni I have come to know," he says, "I think Mike has inspired me the most to always give back to those who are less fortunate and not measure our success in life in terms of how much money we make."
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