Shawn Doggett: Love Your NeighborAll-Star

For always going the extra mile in service of those in need, Shawn Doggett — the operations coordinator at My Brother’s Keeper — has been selected as the very first Love Your Neighbor All-Star. The award includes two skybox tickets to the Baltimore Ravens’ game versus the Las Vegas Raiders.

While Doggett earned the All-Star designation for the work he does at Catholic Charities, he doesn’t consider what he does on behalf of clients and in collaboration with colleagues as work. It’s more than that.

“It’s not a job to me. It’s a journey,” he said. “I’m walking with people to get them where they want to be.”

The 50-year-old Pikesville resident draws his motivation to care for others unconditionally from lived experience. My Brother’s Keeper is a comprehensive community-based resource center in West Baltimore that offers a wide range of support to community residents from daily lunch service, 7 days a week to workforce development.

“I’ve been in that situation before, needing help. A few people took the time to help me,” he said, explaining his dedication to paying forward the kind assistance he once received. “I truly feel like this is my calling.”

Doggett answers that call every day with a positive energy that is infectious, said Kevin Mason, program director of My Brother’s Keeper.

“His commitment to serve, his ability to integrate the values of our agency in all he does, his collaboration with clients and colleagues make him an inspiration and invaluable team member,” Mason said of Doggett. “His authenticity and passion are so clearly obvious. He has the ability to go even further in our organization.”

Doggett, who will celebrate his four-year anniversary with Catholic Charities in November, said that he’s gratified by the recognition of his colleagues and thrilled by the award of tickets to a Ravens game. And he’s not the only one who is excited.

Doggett is a rabid Ravens fan who can get pretty boisterous when watching his favorite team on television. He joked that his roommates will likely appreciate a week off from his raucous exuberance.

This is in stark contrast to what he strives to bring to clients at My Brother’s Keeper.

“What brings meaning for me is seeing our clients walk in the building and experience an overwhelming feeling of peace and calm,” Doggett said. “When clients encounter us, it uplifts them. Some don’t come to us just for the food. They also come for the fellowship.”

In other words, Doggett personifies the call to Love Your Neighbor. Thank you, Shawn.

Who is a Love Your Neighbor All-Star, exactly? It’s a colleague who goes the extra mile for the people we serve. It’s a colleague who works to be a great teammate to co-workers every day. It’s a colleague who lives our mission every day, cherishing the divine within all. All-Stars are chosen from nominations from colleagues. Catholic Charities’ values are to love, serve, teach and work for justice, and our colleagues seek to live those values every day. Learn more about our mission, vision, values and commitments by clicking here.