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Niagara Falls, N.Y. — September 25, 2026 — Niagara Gospel Mission is honored to announce that Executive Director Rev. John A. Cooper Jr. has received the Thomas A. Judge, C.M. Award from Niagara University, recognizing his leadership and Niagara Gospel Mission’s commitment to serving men and women experiencing homelessness, poverty, addiction, and other significant challenges throughout Niagara County.
The award recognizes work that reflects the Vincentian commitment to serving those in need and strengthening the surrounding community. Under Cooper’s leadership, Niagara Gospel Mission has sought to put those same principles of compassionate service into action through practical assistance, Gospel-centered care, and programs focused on long-term life change.
“This award may have my name on it, but it belongs to the entire Niagara Gospel Mission family,” Cooper said. “Every day, our staff, volunteers, churches, donors, and community partners come alongside men and women who are walking through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. We believe every person who comes through our doors should be treated with dignity, compassion, and hope, while also being given an opportunity to pursue lasting change.”
Niagara Gospel Mission serves individuals from throughout Niagara County through its emergency shelter, residential recovery and discipleship programming, transitional services, meals, clothing assistance, biblical counseling, employment preparation, and other programs designed to help people move toward stability and independence.
The Mission is also preparing for the opening of its new Women’s Center, which will expand its ability to serve women experiencing homelessness and provide both emergency shelter and long-term recovery services. The project represents another major step in Niagara Gospel Mission’s commitment to meeting critical needs while addressing the deeper circumstances that can contribute to homelessness.
Cooper has emphasized that the Mission’s approach is built around more than simply providing services. Its goal is to combine compassionate care with accountability, relationships, and opportunities for genuine transformation.
“We are grateful to Niagara University for this recognition and for its longstanding commitment to serving our community,” Cooper said. “We share a conviction that caring for our neighbors—especially those who are poor, vulnerable, or overlooked—is an essential responsibility. Niagara County is stronger when organizations throughout our community work together to serve people with dignity and purpose.”
Niagara Gospel Mission views the Thomas A. Judge, C.M. Award not simply as recognition of one individual, but as an acknowledgment of the hundreds of people who make the Mission’s work possible each year.
