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
It was a Friday the 13th, but red was the color of this lucky day in the Homeland Center Diner. “It’s good to be spending any time with my husband,” said Claire Zeiters as she enjoyed Homeland’s Valentine’s Day luncheon
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.”
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
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
Carmen Vishnesky, a cherished resident of Homeland Center, passed away on March 25, 2025. We remember her with deep affection and gratitude for the vibrant spirit she shared with our community. As a resident of Homeland since early 2023, Carmen Vishnesky has come to love the people. “The residents are
And the winner is . . . the mushroom soup! “Five kinds of mushrooms, a gallon of roasted garlic puree, a gallon of caramelized onion puree, sherry, white wine, black truffle oil, and heavy cream,” said Homeland Assistant Director of Dietary Services John Scunziano, rattling off the recipe for the soup
What makes a house into a home? A friendly smile. A helpful hand. A family feel. A warm environment. Homeland is blessed with a Board of Managers dedicated to creating and sustaining the welcoming feel that has made Homeland a home for generations of residents, their families, and staff. The
“We love hearing stories from our patients about their lives,” Mary Williard and Mandy Webster say in unison. Their shared passion for their work with Homeland Hospice is obvious as is their similar smile. Mary and Mandy are a dynamic mother and daughter team who provide exceptional care to patients
Jarrett Hoy didn’t know what to expect from his internship with Homeland Center’s dietary department, but he knew immediately he was in for a pleasant experience. “When I got here, I didn’t know anybody, and people would say ‘good morning’ with a smile,” Hoy said. “I did not get the
Homeland HomeHealth nurse LuAnn Randall explains that the goal for any home care patient is universal: To fully return to their normal daily activities to the greatest extent possible. When Bob Green entered LuAnn’s care, that was his goal too. But Bob’s personal experience with his condition inspired another goal –
Your choice. Our privilege. For Homeland Hospice this is a promise to deliver the most compassionate care possible to all patients and their families. In his role as a licensed social worker (LSW) with Homeland Hospice, Andrew Humes lives these words every day as he helps patients during their end-of-life
Homeland HomeHealth, a service of Homeland Center’s community outreach program Homeland at Home, has earned a five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that works in partnership with the nation’s healthcare community to improve quality, equity and outcomes in the health care
A health crisis brought Ed and Marlene Sickora to Homeland in the fall of 2024, but they knew immediately that they were in the right place. “We’ve met so many nice people,” Marlene said. “They’ll introduce themselves and talk to you. We didn’t know anybody when we came here.” “I
When members of the Homeland community were invited to decorate canvas hearts to celebrate Homeland Hospice’s 15th anniversary, many chose to depict hands. “What comes out of our hands exudes from our hearts,” said Homeland Center Director of Nursing Jennifer Tate-DeFreitas. “These are the hands that care for you.” Homeland
