cO FOUNDERS
Kristen Topolski
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Over the span of 20 years in Human Services, Kristen has primarily focused participant-centered program development. Kristen designed and implemented all aspects of robust 24-hour shelter programs and various social service programs relating to housing and economic instability as well as programs promoting self-sufficiency and healthy relationships. Across her roles, she engaged the community, garnered a large donor and volunteer base, and encouraged her programs to blossom based on peer driven principals. You can reach Kristen at ktopolski@newrootspa.org
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sARAH hELCOSKI
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Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The Pennsylvania State University in Crime, Law and Justice, with Minors in Sociology and Human Development and Family Studies. In addition, she obtained a Master of Science Degree from Marywood University in Criminal Justice. Sarah completed the Peer Specialist Supervisor Training in June 2018. Her professional background includes significant experience collaborating with local and state agencies to obtain referrals for qualified individuals who were facing homelessness due to mental health and/or criminal justice barriers. You can reach Sarah at shelcoski@newrootspa.org.
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Wilkes Barre Staff
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Patty Shenefield, New Roots Care Coordinator, possesses an Associate degree in Applied Science for Human Services, Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and is in the process of completing Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor coursework. Her professional experience includes over 30 years working in the health care and social service fields with a focus in victim services, substance use disorders, parenting, mental health, corrections and homelessness. Patty is also a Peer Specialist Supervisor.
Patty is also a member of Open Table, Free to be Mom, and Family Advisory. In her spare time Patty enjoys going to the beach, hiking and spending time with loved ones. |
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Lyndsay Guirin, Records Management Specialist, possesses an Associate degree in Applied Science for Human Services, Bachelor of Science Degree in Government, Law, and National Security. Her professional experience is focused in the social service fields, which include substance use disorders, homelessness, mental health, and corrections. Records Management Specialist duties include, storing, tracking and managing records, surveys and incentives.
Lyndsay is also a member of the Open Table. She enjoys spending time with her family, loves to travel, and is strong in her faith. |
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Jen McLaughlin - Full Time Community Based Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS). Jen enjoys working with others. She has experience with Social Services in mental health, and previously worked in an adolescent boy's school. Jen has the skill of being able to care for babies born into addiction and has seen success in reunification of families
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Tim Dombroski - Certified Recovery Specialist. CRS provides services within the center and the community. He also oversees the Root Cellar Food Pantry at New Roots. In his spare time, Tim enjoys hiking, walking and watching football.
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Kelly Rowan - Part time Certified Recovery Specialist. CRS provides services within the center and coordinates group activities and facilitates ALL RECOVERY meetings.
Kelly is a mother of 3 boys and loves to cook, listen to music and play sports with her children. |
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Mallory Corcoran - Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) provides services within center and community. Mallory has worked in the warm hand off program and she specializes in getting clients into treatment and meeting after care needs. She also runs an MAT group and works with clients on MAT programs.
Mallory enjoys helping people, loves the arts, and is into crystals |
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Ajuad Nazer - Certified Recovery Specialist. CRS provides services within the community and the center. Ajuad has been nicknamed AJ. He has a B.A. in psychology from Mercer University un Macon Ga. he also has a masters in Culinary Hospitality from a Swiss Hotel and Management school. He speaks 5 languages and enjoys watching foreign language shows. In his spare time AJ enjoys cooking and creating new dishes for himself. He also enjoys gardening.
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Ashlynn Heller - Certified Recovery Specialist/ Volunteer Coordinator.
Ashlynn has an Addiction diploma from LCCC and is continuing her education for a Social Work Degree. She completed the Luzerne County DRC program. Ashlynn loves spending time with her two pit bulls and her family. |
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Paige Pyskoty- Certified Recovery Specialist. CRS provides services within the center and the community. In her spare time Paige enjoys painting with watercolors, writing , hiking with her dog, spending time with god in nature and cooking.]
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Anthony Malec - Volunteer Coordinator at the Wilkes Barre office. Anthony works with volunteers and helps them get acclimated at the center and providing them with tasks to complete. He has been involved in a lot of promotional material and advertising groups and events we hold as an organization. He is also working toward becoming a CRS. In his spare time Anthony enjoys playing music, writing short stories and reading.
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Hazleton Staff
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Kerri Scheitrum - Certified Recovery Specialist/Hazleton Team Lead/CRS Supervisor. CRS provides services within the community and center. Other duties include supervising staffs day to day activities. Kerri facilitates a Smart Recovery Group.
Kerri enjoys spending time with her family, doing crafts and fishing. |
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John (Bubba) Welfel - Records Management Specialist/Community Outreach Coordinator. Records management specialist duties include storing, tracking and managing records, surveys and incentives. Community Outreach Coordinator oversees planning of outreach strategies, connecting with people in the community and creating relationships with outside organizations.
John enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, fishing and being outdoors. |
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Leslie Napolitano - Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS). CRS provides services within the community.
Leslie is a mom of three daughters and enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys reading, hiking and spending time out doors. |
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Shane Evans - Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS). CRS provides services within the center and community.
Shane has a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice from Kutztown University. He enjoys spending time with his family, reading, hiking, playing basketball and kickboxing. |
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Martha Lee - Interpreter/Translator. Martha has a B.A. in psychology with a minor in Spanish from Bloomsburg University. She also has an M.A. in education from Holy Family University. Martha has 21 years of experience in the field of social services.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her active 9 year old son, she also enjoys physical fitness. |
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Brian Willner - Certified Recovery Specialist. CRS provides services within the community and the center. Brian strongly believes in basic needs being met as a priority to recover. In his spare time Brian enjoys spending time with his family, playing with his children, music and being outdoors.
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Up Steps Staff
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Linda Armstrong - Certified Recovery Specialist. CRS provides services within the community and the center. Linda is the founder and CEO of Dress For Success Luzerne County. Her passion is helping people recovery from addiction and building life sustaining careers they love. In her spare time, Linda practices self care on her Harley Davidson and enjoys finding new roads to ride and places to explore. Linda is also the co-founder of Up Steps.
newrootspa.org/upsteps.html |
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Donna Sedor- Employment Navigator for the Up Steps program. Donna is passionate about connecting organizations and individuals with opportunities for success. With a background in communications, management strategic planning and development, Donna has held leadership roles in both the non profit and for profit industries and worked with businesses throughout NEPA. Donna She follows her grandmothers philosophy- If you rest, you rust.
newrootspa.org/upsteps.html |