In March, 2007, the State Bishops presented Jack with a plaque recognizing his contributions to the Charities in the State in recognition of the six volume history of the State Catholic Conference which he had written.
At the September, 2010 Rochester Catholic Charities All Boards Convening, Keynote Speaker Father Larry Snyder, President of Catholic Charities USA, presented Jack with the Catholic Charities USA Centennial Medal. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the organization, this medal was presented to 100 individuals or organizations who had made significant contributions to its evolution.
In March, 2011, as part of the mass celebrated at the Albany Cathedral on the annual Public Policy Day, Jack was presented the J. Alan Davitt Award for Exemplary Service. For more than 30 years, Mr. Davitt was an outstanding staff leader of the Catholic Conference. Following are remarks made by Bishop Hubbard of Albany, Bishop Matthew Clark of Rochester, and Jack’s remarks on accepting the award.
At the September, 2012 Rochester Catholic Charities Diocesan Board meeting, Board Chairperson Linda Stundtner presented Jack the Bishop Clark Award. This award, recognizing outstanding service to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester, was established in 1999 when the Board presented it to Bishop Matthew Clark in recognition of his long and consistent support of Catholic Charities. This award was given to Jack in celebration of his twentieth anniversary as Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities.
Read more: Catholic Charities of Rochester, Bishop Clark Award
At the State Council of Catholic Charities Statewide Annual Convening held in March, 2013, Jack was presented the Bishop Francis J. Mugavero Award. The award had been established in 1989 when it was presented to Bishop Mugavero upon his retirement as Bishop of Brooklyn. As Brooklyn Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities, Bishop Mugavero had been instrumental in the establishment of the State Council in 1966. The award thereafter was presented annually to an individual who had made a significant contribution to the work of the State Council.
At the annual Catholic Charities of Livingston County Red Carpet Christmas Gala, Board Chairperson Jeff Fasoldt and long-time Livingston County Charities supporter Mary Anne Palermo presented Jack the Father Bill Trott Award. As pastor in Livonia in the early 1990’s, Father Trott was instrumental in helping establish Catholic Charities in Livingston County. A saintly priest who had a special care for the poor and vulnerable, he died suddenly in 1996, and beginning in 1997, Catholic Charities established this award to be given annually to an individual or individuals who had made significant contributions to the agency.
Hilda Rosario Escher, Lori VanAuken and Jack Balinsky, recipient of the Heart and Soul Award.
The 2018 Heart and Soul Award was presented to Jack Balinsky, Director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester, for his vision that helped to vastly expand the programs and presence of Catholic Charities in a 12-county service area.
Read more: Catholic Charities Community Services Heart and Soul Award