Learn more about our “Heart of Cabrini” Honorees!
Lorraine Campanelli
Lorraine Campanelli has been the Director of Cabrini Immigrant Services of Dobbs Ferry for over 10 years. In 2000, Lorraine began working for Cabrini of Westchester as a social work intern at the former Monsignor Terence Attridge Adult Day Health Center. She completed her Master of Social Work at Yeshiva University in 2003, after which she was hired as a social worker for the Center. She also served as a social worker for St. Cabrini Nursing Home, before becoming the Director of Social Services in 2013.
In 2015, Lorraine became the Director of Cabrini Immigrant Services of Dobbs Ferry (CIS-DF), where she has cultivated a supportive space for local immigrant families. She oversees programs for clients ranging from preschoolers to adults. Lorraine has brought her passion for education to CIS-DF, building programs such “Terrific Toddlers,” which provides toddlers and their caregivers with a space to learn together about routine, colors, shapes, and more. In addition to programming for young children, CIS-DF provides a range of adult education programs and case management to help immigrant families navigate life in the United States. Lorraine’s love for her work is evident as she works tirelessly to build a safe, welcoming, and joyful environment for CIS-DF’s clients. She has coordinated various workshops and classes on topics such as resume writing, nutrition and mental health. They also have a knitting group which creates many different projects that help other agencies such as Samaritan Purse and Embracing the ICU. Each year she plans holiday parties and other special events for clients. She has also worked closely with Cabrini of Westchester to coordinate activities where the children and their parents can interact with the nursing home residents.
In addition to her work at CIS-DF, Lorraine is a Field Supervisor and Instructor for InterProfessional Educational Collaborative with Iona University in New Rochelle, as well as a Supervisor for Social Work Interns from Hunter College and Human Relations students from Westchester Community College. Lorraine became an honorary inductee to the Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society (Kappa Tau Chapter) in 2019 and in 2010, she was the recipient of the New York State Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, Long Term Care Employee of Distinction Award. Lorraine has also been the Director of Cabrini Lay Missionaries for the Guadalupe Province since 2020.
Lorraine holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education as well as a Master’s Degree in Education in reading, both from St. John’s University in Staten Island. Lorriane has one brother and sister-in-law, one nephew and one niece, and two grandnieces (twins) and three grandnephews.
We are incredibly grateful for Lorraine’s commitment to serving both the Cabrini community, and the immigrant community, always in the Spirit of Mother Cabrini. We are honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with her and to award her the 2025 Heart of Cabrini Award.
Father Scott Leet, O.F.M. Cap.
Father Scott Leet, OFM Cap, is a Capuchin-Franciscan Priest, who has volunteered with Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC for a little over three years. He is a priest of the Parish Staff at the Church of the Good Shepherd located on Broadway at Isham Street in Inwood.
Fr. Scott worked for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for over 14 years before leaving the full-time practice of the law to answer his calling to service of the Roman Catholic Church and her faithful.
While at the Manhattan DA’s Office he worked in a variety of different areas. Starting as a “line assistant” (general practice), he was also part of the Welfare Fraud Unit, Domestic Violence Unit, and Sex Crimes Unit. He also headed the summer Internship Program for three years. He finished his service at the prosecutor’s office as a Bureau Chief for the Office of Special Narcotics Prosecutor of the City of New York.
In 2015, he left the practice of law and began his program of formation for lifetime vows within the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. He professed his perpetual vows on November 13, 2020, and he was ordained to the priesthood on June 25, 2023.
He would like to share that he is so thankful for his time with CIS-NYC. He has worked closely with staff who are dedicated to responding to the plethora of issues that plague those immigrants who live among us. When talking about CIS-NYC to others he says: We are not an office, but a family dedicated to making the lives of the immigrants with whom we work a little less uncertain, and a little more stable.
CIS-NYC is immensely grateful to Fr. Scott for his service to CIS-NYC, which has deeply impacted the lives of many of our clients. We are honored to present Fr. Scott with the Heart of Cabrini Award in recognition of his commitment to our immigrant community.