Stories

residents helen and james smith inside homeland center

James and Helen Smith: Planting deep roots in the community

While James and Helen Smith became Homeland Center residents earlier this year, their ties to Homeland go back decades. Helen met her longtime friend, Homeland resident Loretta Colestock, when she first moved to Harrisburg. James coached Homeland President/CEO Barry Ramper II

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Artist Kelly Charlesworth standing next to one of her paintings

Artist Kelly Charlesworth: Capturing a sense of place

A young artist’s mischief turned her family’s world purple when Kelly Charlesworth, a perfectly behaved child by all appearances, left behind an unexpected canvas — her bedsheets, transformed with a single crayon. What began as a childhood mystery would spark

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group of smiling runners at the 5k and memorywalk finish line

Homeland Hospice 5K and Memory Walk Set for Oct. 4

Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit outreach program of Homeland Center in Harrisburg, will host its 11th annual 5K and Memory Walk on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 9 a.m. at the Rossmoyne Business Center at 5000 Ritter Road in Mechanicsburg. The event serves to

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homeland social worker amanda williams and director of social services daniqwa buckner

Homeland Social Workers Make the Puzzle Pieces Fit

What do social workers do? At Homeland, they help families navigate the complexities that are often involved with caregiving. “The hard work shouldn’t be on the family,” said Homeland social worker Amanda Williams. “They should just be coming to visit their loved ones. They shouldn’t have to worry about the

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employees organizing the staff pantry cleanse event

Staff Pantry Cleanse Fills Pantries, Bellies, and Hearts

“When was the last time you went through and cleaned out your pantry?” It was an excellent question, posted on the first Homeland Community Outreach Pantry Cleanse flier. Most people have extras or unwanted items in their pantries. The taco mix packet purchased when there were three at home. The

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homeland staff with wellness coordinator roxane hearn

American Heart Month at Homeland: Healthy staff, happy residents

When Homeland Employee Wellness Coordinator Roxane E. Hearn, PhD sees Homeland Center staff wearing scrubs that have grown baggy from weight loss, it warms her heart. “You see them moving faster,” she said. “They say they’re not as tired on their shift or feel they have more energy to spend

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barb and phil talarico smiling together

Barbara and Phil Talarico’s Carpool Love Story

A love connection often begins at the most unexpected time. An ordinary day can be the start of an extraordinary relationship. Call it destiny or luck, 40 years ago on a cold and wintry day, Phil Talarico saw his now wife Barbara waiting for the bus to go to work.

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loretta colestock excited for football

Homeland resident Loretta Colestock: A life of love and service

After 65 years of marriage, Loretta Colestock lost her husband to Alzheimer’s in 2015. It was a challenging time. In the years after his death, she got tired of rambling around alone in the house, but she also wanted to retain her independence. Loretta had heard about Homeland Center’s stellar

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queen and king at homeland senior prom 2024

Homeland senior prom brings sparkle to a winter’s day

“Time to crown the king and queen!” Every prom needs a king and queen, and Carl Barna and Loretta Colestock entered like royalty – which they were! The first Homeland Masquerade Senior Prom was underway. Created by the Homeland Activities Department to brighten up a late January day, the prom

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Events

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Bereavement Six Week Support Group

October 13, 2026 - November 17, 2026
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Homeland Hospice Office, Suite 265B, 2300 Vartan Way, Harrisburg

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'closeup of pine tree branches lit up by string lights'

Coping with the Holidays Workshop

October 31, 2026
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Giant Foods Community Room, 3301 Trindle Road, Camp Hill

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