ABOUT ME
I have worked in the human service field for 53 years. I have had the honor and privilege to have Founded, been CEO, Executive Director, Owner, Board member and Board President of leading human service companies in the Berks County area. Below is my work biography.
Owner/Executive Director for 36 years at Griswold Home Care For Berks County
Ninth Place Award For Best of Home Care 2025 Out Of 2,500 Home Care Providers In The United States
Founder at Berks Home Care Association
Television host of Berks Boomers
Co-founder Chairperson Emeritus 2008 to present of the Circle Of Life Coalition, Inc.
Former Task Force member at Berks County Suicide Task Force
Former Executive Director of the Greater Reading Mental Health Alliance
Former Chairperson of the Mental Health Association of Reading and Berks County
Former Chairperson of Mental Health America of Berks County
Former Chairperson of NAMI of Berks County
Former Task Force member at Safe Berks Human Trafficking Task Force
Former Board President at Tri-County Community Network
Former Advisory Board Member at Berks Encore
Former Founder of Boomer Generation Radio (Now owned by Apple Podcasts)
Former Founder, Executive Director, CEO at Supportive Concepts for Families, Inc.
Former Board Member at Arthritis Foundation
Former Mental Health Delegate at Berks County MH/ID
Former Director of Residential Services at Prospectus Berco
Former Concert/Music Critic at Entertainment America Inc. (no longer in business)
Former Concert/Music Critic at Reading Eagle
Former Concert/Music Critic at Miami Herald
Former Mental Health Delegate at Family Guidance Center
Former Concert/Music Critic at Berks County Record (no longer in business)
Descriptions
Owner/Executive Director at Griswold Home Care for Berks County. (1/89 to Present) We are proud to announce that our non-medical home care company has reached a significant milestone - 36 years of service in Berks County. As the first non-medical home care company in the area, we had to overcome many obstacles to educate the community on the importance and benefits of this service. Today, we are proud to see many other companies providing non-medical home care, but we are honored to be the grandparents of all those companies. With our 35 years of experience, we lead proudly as the most experienced non-medical home care provider in Berks County. We are grateful to our dedicated staff and loyal clients who have supported us throughout the years and look forward to continuing to serve the community for many more years to come.
Founder at Berks Home Care Association. - (7/24 to Present) The Berks Home Care Association is committed to supporting and enhancing care giving skills by providing a community of providers dedicated to quality, professional, and compassionate care for those in need. We believe that professional caregivers are the heart and soul of our community, and we take pride in assisting seniors and others in need. We invite you to join us in becoming leaders of care professional advocacy in our community. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Television host of Berks Boomers. (3/08 to Present) A television program I developed to focus on the needs, information and challenges baby boomers are experiencing. For those born between the years of 1946 and 1964 this generation is known as baby boomers and there are 78 million of them.
Co-founder/Chairperson Emeritus - Circle Of Life Coalition, Inc. (3/07 to Present) The Circle Of Life Coalition is a non-profit organization that was started in 2008 by a group of multidisciplinary professionals interested in advancing knowledge and discussing end-of-life issues. Volunteers include representatives from local hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home care and hospice agencies, departments on aging, funeral homes, educators, elder care lawyers, financial consultants, patient support agencies and most importantly, the community. I continue to serve on the Advisory Board and very active in the overall management of the organization. The Coalition is one of my passions in life and I will continue to be a active member of the Board.
Former Task Force member at Berks County Suicide Task Force. (4/17 to 3/19). As a member of this team, we worked tirelessly to implement resources such as ruOK Berks to provide support and resources to those in need. Our goal is to create a community where everyone feels supported and valued. We encourage all residents to reach out if they or someone they know is in need of assistance. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health issues.
Founder Boomer Generation Radio. (4/8 to 5/11) A 24 hour online radio station broadcasting information, news, and events for baby boomers nationwide. (Boomer Generation Radio is now owned by Apple Podcasts).
Former Executive Director at Greater Reading Mental Health Alliance. (grmha.org) (6/12 to 3/19) I am proud to be a part of the beginning of GRMHA and the crucial role I played in the growth and success of the organization in the field of mental health services. In 2012, we coined the new name of the company, which has now become a premiere organization offering a wide range of services to the community on mental health wellness, treatment, support, education, drug and alcohol addiction, and advocacy. Their dedication and commitment today to the cause that my team and I began in 2012 has been an inspiration to us all. I left in 2019 feeling confident that the company was in good hands and giving me the needed opportunity to focus on Griswold Home Care exclusively.
Former Chairperson/Board member of Mental Health America of Berks County (7/12 to 3/19) I served as Chairperson for Mental Health America of Berks County during my entire time I was at the Greater Reading Mental Health Alliance. Mental Health America advances the mental health and well-being of all people living in the U.S. through public education, research, advocacy and public policy, and direct service.
Former Chairperson/Board member of NAMI of Berks County (National Alliance on Mental Illness) (2/13 to 2/17). I served as Chairperson for the local affiliate of NAMI. NAMI is dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. The Berks Office continues to work in our community to raise awareness and provide support and education to those in need.
Former President of the Board for the Berks County Mental Health Association (1/08 to 6/12) I served proudly as a Board member and then Board President serving a term of 3 years. The Mental Health Association (now Mental Health America) remains focused on next generation prevention (Next Gen): on the health and well-being of future generations, on systemic reforms, and on embracing new frontiers of science.
Former Task Force member at Safe Berks Human Trafficking Task Force. (4/17 to 4/19).
We recognized the importance of educating the community on this epidemic and discussed various ways to do so. We believed that raising awareness and providing resources can help prevent human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals. We encourage everyone to learn more about this issue and join us in our efforts to combat human trafficking in our community.
Former Board President at TriCounty Community Network. (12/07 to 12/11) TriCounty Community Network (TCN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health, social and environmental conditions in Western Montgomery, Northern Chester and Eastern Berks counties in Pennsylvania.
Former Advisory Board Member at Berks Encore. (9/8 to 9/10) The mission of BERKS ENCORE is to engage the community to enable older adults to achieve a better quality of life by providing a comprehensive program of services, referrals, education and advocacy.
Former Founder, Executive Director, CEO at Supportive Concepts for Families, Inc.
(12/92 to 3/20) I started Supportive Concepts because of a need I saw in the community for better supports and services for those with a MH and ID disability. At the time our name was SCBC. It really didn't stand for anything. We needed to incorporate fast so developing a catchy name wasn't on our priority list. In 1996 we changed the name to Community Technologies and finally Supportive Concepts For Families. Their was much debate on adding For Families but eventually we adopted the full name. We had limited funding at the time so my other company Griswold Home Care paid to have the logo designed that is still used today. I was told in 1991 by officials at the county that another human services organization in Berks County would not succeed. My concept when I founded Supportive Concepts was to no longer require a service recipient fit their needs into the services provided but rather, to provide services around the person and address their needs totally. Several months into starting the company the county awarded me a home based waiver contract for $365,000. That was the beginning and when I started hiring staff to help me start this unique idea. It wasn't easy and I will say now that there were many problems starting fresh from the ground up. Many times I had to personally front the money to make payroll. At one point I was borrowing even on credit cards. It was scary for me and I had many sleepless nights but I had to make it work. I needed technology so I asked Joe Gousie, CEO of Prospectus Associates to implement their computer system for us and then we were on our way. I am proud to say today that my idea that came to me in 1986 was finally realized.
Former Board Member at Arthritis Foundation. (2/94 to 2/98) I volunteered on the Board for 4 years primarily raising funds for research as well as managing operation of the Board.
Former Mental Health Delegate at Berks County MH/ID. (10/86 to 9/93) I was authorized by the County Commissioners to enact the Mental Health Procedures Act of 1976 to evaluate persons in the community who were in a mental health crisis to be considered for a 302 Involuntary Commitment to a psychiatric facility.
Former Director of Residential Services at Prospectus Berco (9/85 to 9/89) Responsible for management of 41 Community Living Arrangements in Berks and Lebanon Counties including over 100 staff. Developed new service concepts for the residents who I took from Hamburg Center, Harrisburg, Selingsgrove, Emeryville and Pennhurst state facilities in the 80's due to state closure. Responsible for management of employees, facilities and started development of new programs and services.
Former Concert/Music Critic at Entertainment America Inc (9/84 to 6/87) (No longer in business)
Former Concert/Music Critic at Reading Eagle (9/85 to 6/87)
Former Concert/Music Critic at Miami Herald (7/84 to 2/86)
Former Mental Health Delegate at Family Guidance Center. (12/85 to 10/86) I was authorized by the County Commissioners to enact the Mental Health Procedures Act of 1976 to evaluate persons in the community who were in a mental health crisis to be considered for a 302 Involuntary Commitment to a psychiatric facility.
Former Concert/Music Critic at Berks County Record (11/81 to 3/83) (No longer in business)