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Fall ECHO 2007 As Bethany’s Storeroom Manager for over 20 years, Linda Shott has seen children’s fashions change more times than she can count. “First pants have straight legs, then baggy legs, and then bell bottoms, and then straight legs again,” she says laughing. “The trends change constantly.” One thing, however, remains the same, she notes, and that is the impact of clothing on a child’s self-respect, dignity, confidence, and self-esteem. “Self image is a very important part of every child’s life,” she explains. “Kids want to feel normal, typical… like they fit in.” With that in mind, Linda teams up with house parents to ensure that all Bethany children receive basic necessities, including play, school, and dress attire. Upon their admission, children make an initial visit to the storeroom for a fitting and an evaluation of their clothing needs based on an approved, standardized list. As they outgrow articles of clothing or need new school and personal supplies, Linda provides replacements. However, many items commonly found in other kids’ homes throughout America—pretty dresses for school dances and new book bags for the start of a school year—would be completely missing from the lives of Bethany kids if it were not for the generosity of donors, especially at Christmas time, according to Linda. “Christmas is the time of year when Bethany kids can look forward to receiving a few things they want in addition to things they need,” she says. “It’s really special to a child to have someone buy a specific gift just for him or her. It says ‘I’m important to someone. I matter.’” Around Campus A fishing derby, trip to Knoebel’s Grove, Hawaiian luau, and Western Night were just a few of the fun activities Bethany youth experienced this summer. Several youth also completed on-campus programs designed to strengthen team building, problem solving, and goal-setting skills; boost confidence; and increase trust. Over 4,000 people attended this year’s Anniversary Day and Community Festival. Highlights included a car show featuring over 100 entries; performances by the Ringgold Band, KC the Clown, Give and Take Jugglers, and The Fabulous Greaseband; and a live broadcast by Jo Painter, WEEU. Charles “Chuck” Hall, a resident of Keck Cottage from 1994 to 1995, received the 2007 Armbuster Award. A 1999 graduate of Conrad Weiser High School and 2003 graduate of Johnson and Wales University, Rhode Island, Chuck holds an Associate of Science degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Service Management. Today he serves his country as a U.S. Navy aviation mechanic stationed on the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt. A-Z Vacuum was this year’s title sponsor. For a complete list of sponsors, please see page four. Of his Bethany experience Chuck says, “Bethany’s unconditional love and support brought out the best in me, allowing me to trust in myself and to be confident in my abilities to succeed.” Dr. Lola “Skip” Reed, daughter of Bethany Children’s Home benefactor Ira S. Reed visited Bethany during the summer of 2007. Dr. Reed’s late father funded the construction and furnishing of Reed Cottage in 1931. David R. Leaman, Ed. D., was the keynote speaker at the 2007 Bethany Phoebe Conference held at The Adams Brumbaugh Center. Dr. Leaman’s presentation focused on teaching adults how to help youth develop practical skills for expressing anger constructively. Specifically, he explained how adults can help youth recognize and accept ownership of anger, identify the roots of anger, and understand the physiological and cognitive-behavior components of anger. Renowned children’s author Suzanne Bloom visited ABC Child Care Center this fall as part of Pennsylvania’s “One Book for Every Young Child” campaign. During her visit, Bloom told the children how she became a writer and an illustrator. She also read stories, including A Splendid Friend Indeed, the Campaign’s 2007 book selection. Meet Bethany’s Senior Officers
“Our staff members don’t view what they do as a job. They see it as a mission. They’re committed. They’re dedicated. As a result, many of them have worked here for a long time. Their steady presence fosters a sense of stability and expectations of lasting relationships for our kids.” Jon himself is a long-time member of the Bethany team. After graduating from Muhlenberg College with a degree in psychology, earning an MSW degree from University of Pittsburgh, and serving as Program Director of the Fleetwood office of CONCERN, a a private, non-profit, community-based child welfare agency, he came on board at Bethany, advancing over the years from Director of Shelter Care to Assistant Executive Director and Executive Director before assuming his current position. An active member of his community, Jon is Consistory President at St. Paul’s U.C.C. and an advisory board member of the Conrad Weiser Education Foundation. He is also a Department of Environmental Protection state-licensed water operator for Bethany’s water supply. Jon’s hobbies include fishing, riding his motorcycle, basketball, and soccer. He and his wife Robin are the parents of two grown sons, Justin and Jordan. His greatest hope for Bethany kids, he says, is that after they leave Bethany they will have better coping skills and the ability to make better decisions for themselves. Gary Neider believes one of the most important things to teach kids is how to respect others. “If you can’t respect others, you can’t respect yourself,” he explains. Gary began his career as a member of the residential staff at Shippensburg University. Immediately prior to coming to Bethany, he worked in the admissions department of Wernersville State Hospital. Over the course of his 28 years of service at Bethany, Gary has worked in a variety of roles with youth, including social worker, Assistant Director of Social Services, Director of Social Services, and now Chief Program Officer. In his current role as Chief Program Officer, Gary is responsible for the supervision of therapeutic and treatment programs, as well as the daily operations of the residential, short-term and shelter programs. A graduate of Conrad Weiser High School, Gary earned a B.A. in History from Kutztown University and an M.S. in Counseling from Shippensburg University. He has been a member of American Counseling Association since 1976 and has been a Conrad Weiser School Board member for the past ten years. He and his wife Dawn have two children, Randy and Katie. In his spare time, Gary enjoys sports, hunting, and woodworking. An important goal of his work at Bethany, he says, is to ensure that youth develop better coping skills, improve academic achievements, be able to smoothly transition from school to the world of work and, of course, learn to respect others. When Greg Kalata reflects on the words “a brighter future for kids and families,” he envisions three specific outcomes for Bethany youth: reuniting with nurturing families, having successful vocations after graduation, and serving as positive and active members of society. As Chief Operating Officer, Greg is responsible for the supervision of the Director of Food Services, Director of Quality Assurance and Outcomes, Director of Human Resources, and operations regarding finances, storeroom, laundry, and cleaning. He also advises the Board of Managers on all matters of operational and fiscal matters. Prior to joining Bethany in 2006, Greg worked in various senior level positions for not-for-profit organizations, including, most recently, 20 years of service at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon, PA. Greg holds a B.A. in Economics and Business from Slippery Rock University and an M.B.A. from Lebanon Valley College. His professional affiliations include membership in Healthcare Financial Management Association. Residents of Cornwall, PA, Greg and his wife Carol enjoy attending dog shows and are active members of the Eastern Boxer Club, in which Greg serves as treasurer. Greg is convinced Bethany kids can indeed look forward to a brighter future: “We want them to know their lives are important, have a strong sense of self-worth, and realize they can contribute to society.” |