Last month, Hephzibah bid farewell to two retiring Hephzibah staff: Debbie Pontrelli, Assistant Director of Hephzibah Home, and Patty Gross, Assistant Director of Family-Based Services.
Patty is a foundational member of our Family-Based Services team, having joined the program in 1989, soon after its inception. She has made a difference in the lives of thousands of children and families during her extraordinary career. When Patty joined the program, the Family-Based team was in the attic at 946. Three office moves and 37 years later, Patty has remained a constant, calm presence for the program, helping the team navigate through challenges, growth, and change. Patty has been a mentor to countless interns and staff members over the years. She has had a strong influence on the careers of many through her guidance, expertise, and encouragement. Her strong work ethic has been unwavering, and she has always done whatever is needed to support team members, children, and families. She has made a lasting impression on the work and growth the Family-Based Services Program has accomplished, and she will be greatly missed.
Debbie’s amazing career at Hephzibah has spanned 29 years, during which she has impacted the lives of hundreds of children, helping them learn, grow, and heal at Hephzibah Home. Starting with Hephzibah fresh out of college with a BS in Psychology in 1997, Debbie was nearly fired for her hot-headed advocacy for the children at Hephzibah Home. A year later, Debbie would become a supervisor, then the Residential Coordinator, and eventually stepped into the role of Assistant Director of the Residential Treatment Program, where she’s served for 15 years. Debbie has demonstrated trust, hope, and and kindness to hundreds of hurting children, and helped them rebuild from the ground up with abounding patience and gentleness.
We are deeply grateful for the legacy both Debbie and Patty have left in this community through their service. Hephzibah will always be a home for you, wherever life takes you.