Detroit — Roger Playwin, retired CEO of the National Council of St. Vincent de Paul and a Detroit-area parishioner, is one of three individuals to earn Catholic Charities USA’s annual “Keep the Dream Alive” award.

The award honors “individuals who have spent their careers working on behalf of the poor and marginalized in our society.”

Playwin, who attends St. Ambrose Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, led St. Vincent de Paul nationally from 2003-13, and also spent time as head of the Detroit chapter.

“During his tenure, (Playwin) instituted a number of initiatives aimed at increasing opportunity and promoting justice, including building disaster response capacity to respond to natural disasters,” Catholic Charities USA said in a statement. “Throughout his career, Roger has dedicated his life to working with the poor and marginalized, including work with Catholic Youth Organizations and as president of the Monroe County Inter-Faith Social Action Association.”

The award honors the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous dream that everyone be judged “by the content of their character.”