WHO ARE THE PEOPLE PROVIDING CARE? A Board of Directors has guided the non-profit organization since its inception in 2001. There is at least one trained staff member present at the shelter at all times.
Donna McCarley LCSW, our Executive Director, has a Master’s degree in social work and 30 years of experience. In addition to fundraising, marketing and other administrative responsibilities, Donna also serves as the social worker and is responsible for assessment and individualized care plans - donnamarysshelter@gulftel.com
Betty Rockstall, Case Manager, has a Master’s in Counseling and is involved in care plan implementation, review and revision as well as program implementation. She works closely with each resident as well as community agencies. She also provides group counseling for the residents
Judy Urbanski does our bookkeeping and payroll, assists with data input, and generally helps the staff with whatever needs to be done. - email msfinance@gulftel.com
The two full-time House Managers, Rita and Brenda, have the day-to-day responsibilities of the shelter and mothers, enforcing house rules and assisting the residents in making progress on their case plans. Rita has a Master's Degree in Human Development and 26 years of working in social work. She has extensive experience working with victims of child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. Brenda has more than 30 years volunteer work and ministry with pregnant girls and women. She has also worked with homeless families, the elderly and disabled.
Three part-time House Managers fill in when Brenda or Rita is sick or on vacation. Two of the part-timers, Marla and Nora, are certified doulas. A doula is defined as a non-medical assistant who provides support and comfort to the mother during childbrith, however our doulas do much more than that. They also provide prenatal and post-partum instruction to our mothers. Carol completes our team of House Managers, bringing with her many years of work and volunteer experience, in addition to being experienced mom and grandma.