Antiochian Archdiocese Names New Youth Protection Program Administrator

ENGLEWOOD, NJ — The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America has appointed Mary Charles as its new Youth Protection Program Administrator, strengthening the archdiocese's efforts to support safe ministry practices and expand its youth protection initiatives across the United States and Canada.

The announcement was made by Dr. Anne Thomas, director of human resources, who welcomed Charles to the role on behalf of the archdiocese. A parishioner of St. George Church in Portland, Oregon, Charles brings more than 13 years of professional experience in youth protection, compliance, and background screening. Her work has included conducting screening analyses, training teams responsible for evaluating individuals and organizations against global watch lists and sanctions, and developing standards for research, documentation, and risk assessment.

In addition to her professional background, Charles currently serves as the Youth Protection Coordinator for her home parish, giving her firsthand experience implementing youth safety policies within an Orthodox church community.

According to Thomas, Charles will work closely with Youth Protection Coordinators throughout the archdiocese to build a stronger support network for local parishes. Her responsibilities will also include overseeing the implementation of the Youth Protection Program in Canada and managing the program's day-to-day operations.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Antiochian Archdiocese announced it was hiring for its Youth Protection Program.