Despite childhood deprivation, Lionel Gonzalez has a heart for giving and service. “I never had anything as a child,” Lionel said. “I never saw happiness. I don’t know how I
Slicked-back hair shining under the light, the singer started crooning the 1958 classic “Dream, Dream, Dream” by the Everly Brothers. “I was 10 years old when I heard that song,”
Homecooked meals often take us back to simpler times when we were young and our parents tended to our cold or soothed our bad day. Delicious ingredients made by someone
Slicked-back hair shining under the light, the singer started crooning the 1958 classic “Dream, Dream, Dream” by the Everly Brothers. “I was 10 years old when I heard that song,” said Homeland Center resident Lionel Gonzalez, himself a singer and
Homecooked meals often take us back to simpler times when we were young and our parents tended to our cold or soothed our bad day. Delicious ingredients made by someone we love brings us comfort and lets us know we
A visit to Homeland Center by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday — educating residents about preventing identity theft — brought things full circle. Sunday is a Harrisburg native whose grandmother had lived in Homeland, and “I know this place inside
When Susan K. Getty was studying in Messiah College’s studio art program at age 44, younger students would ask if she was sad about wasting all those years before pursuing her passion. Her answer: “No.” “I wasn’t ready for this
What’s the secret to living to 100? “Good mother, good father,” said Helen Fridirici, who came to Homeland in 2025. “My mother was an angel. Nobody ever told her that, but she was just an angel on earth. Imagine that.” From Helen’s airy room in Homeland’s skilled care, her son,
In an age when many health care facilities are increasingly depersonalized, Homeland focuses on the residents. “Homeland made me believe in nursing again,” said Mary Ellen Roberts, one of Homeland’s assistant directors of nursing. “People here pay attention to the residents.” While Mary Ellen treats residents like family, she can
Sally Klein has been a pioneering leader in central Pennsylvania policymaking, human services, and nonprofits for decades. Since joining the Homeland Board of Trustees around 2015, she has come to know and admire another landmark institution deeply rooted in community care. “It is amazing to me to watch a group
Mary Deibler believes in service to others. For 15 years after her retirement, she volunteered at Bethesda Mission, a Harrisburg-based provider of housing and services for the homeless. “I like to help people who need help,” she said. She found her niche there at the mission’s youth center, helping in
An annual calendar signifies the start of a new year with endless opportunities. Holidays and special occasions give us something to look forward to as the year unfolds. The 2026 Homeland Lottery Calendar provides this as well as a step back in time to meet the courageous 18 women who
Our life’s calling is often connected by the seeds planted in our youth. Experiences we face and people we meet help guide our career choices as we enter our adult years. For Symira Waters, BSN, RN, helping care for her beloved grandmother as a teenager ignited a passion for helping
On a frigid December day at a nondescript tract of seemingly barren land, Homeland Hospice volunteers placed ceremonial wreaths and flags throughout Dauphin County Cemetery in honor of Wreaths Across America Day. This annual event brings together more than two million volunteers in all 50 states, at sea and abroad.
With a lifetime steeped in art, Nancy Stamm still enjoys first-time experiences, including her exhibit in Homeland’s Florida Room gallery. It’s nice when people “see art where they don’t expect it.” “I like the idea that people walking in their daily events can see different artwork,” Stamm said. “If there
When Joe Pulaski enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, he wanted to maintain B-52 bombers, and he got his wish. As Homeland Center honors its residents and staff veterans for Veterans Day, he spoke for many who cherish their service. “It made me grow up,” he said. “It helped me
“Should old acquaintance be forgotten, keep your eye on the grand old flag.” The refrain of the song “You’re a Grand Old Flag” reminds us of the enduring spirit of our country and fellow citizens. This was one of the many patriotic melodies sang with pride and vigor at Homeland
