Hospice Volunteer Tom Barry’s Life of Service
November 10, 2025
Tom Barry of Harrisburg has lived a life of service through his military career and now as a Homeland volunteer. He brings his love of our country and joy of
Tom Barry of Harrisburg has lived a life of service through his military career and now as a Homeland volunteer. He brings his love of our country and joy of
The life we lead can be reinvented by taking chances and following our heart. Nearly 15 years ago, Elizabeth Terekh took a chance and moved to the United States to
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
Anna Hicks is a medication technician whose compassionate approach enhances the lives of residents far beyond dispensing medications. For example, one Homeland resident wakes up achy every morning, so Hicks massages her knees with pain cream and makes her coffee,
Bygone days of elegance and refinement made a return at Homeland Center, as residents filled the main dining room for a spring tea. Kettle-shaped cards printed with flowers invited residents, and a pianist playing “Tea for Two” and other standards
Antonia Gomez chose a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant because she loves helping people. “That’s my biggest thing,” she said. “Even outside of Homeland, I’m always helping friends, family, everybody.” In her 14 years at Homeland Center, Gomez formed
Beneath the glowing chandeliers and soaring ceilings of the Mediterranean-style King Mansion, more than 65 members of the 1867 Society gathered together, forming a life-sized tableau of the values that inspired the formation of the precursor to Homeland Center 158 years ago:
Is Kitty Deaven enjoying her time at Homeland? “Oh, yes,” she said. “Yes, yes, yes, yes.” Kitty loves everything about Homeland, and so do her daughters. “It’s given us peace of mind not to worry about her,” said her eldest daughter, Judy Deaven, of Susquehanna Township. Kitty came to Homeland
A hallmark of a successful organization is its ability to evolve to meet the needs of its community. For more than 156 years, Homeland Center has structured its programming to meet the needs of its patients and their families. In 2022, Homeland started offering palliative care, a new and valuable
Homeland Hospice, a nonprofit outreach program of Homeland Center in Harrisburg, will host its 10th annual 5K and Memory Walk on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 8:30 a.m. at the Rossmoyne Business Center at 5000 Ritter Road in Mechanicsburg. The event serves to remember loved ones lost and raise funds to
Even as her job gets busier and she takes on more responsibilities, Latashia Simmons makes sure to spend time with Homeland Center’s residents. “When I’m going around and seeing who needs vaccinations, that’s one way I can socialize,” she said. “I talk with the residents about movies or what they’re
John Scunziano spent the first two decades of his career cooking for celebrities and high-end restaurants. Now that he’s cooking in health care, he says the work feels more meaningful. “You’re going to have these residents three times a day, every day, no matter what,” he said. “They’re your biggest
As a young woman, Tamara Jaroszewski of Harrisburg experienced the profound impact of hospice services when her sister died of breast cancer at age 40. For Tamara, hospice work became a beacon of hope and inspiration. She felt called to help patients during their end-of-life journey. Her call was recently
Nicole Simmons was hanging her artwork in Homeland’s sunny Florida Room Gallery when a resident came by. “Ooh, look at the pretty pictures,” the resident said. “They are so beautiful.” That was music to Simmons’ ear. As a self-taught artist who recently discovered her love for painting, she loves connecting
By Kristine Crockett, RN, CHPN, Director of Homeland Hospice and Homeland Palliative Care. Kristine has been providing compassionate end-of-life care as a hospice nurse for more than 25 years and provides a wealth of knowledge and experience to those she is leading as the director. Kristine is an Army Veteran
Art Wiand grew up in a family-oriented atmosphere, which is why he felt at home the first time he set foot in Homeland. “It’s one big happy family,” he said. “The majority of us socialize a lot.” Art is a central Pennsylvania native who grew up around Sunbury and Northumberland.
Look closely at Evelyn Dunbar’s paintings, and you might find “a little gift” – a tiny fairy worked into the scene or a little light. “That’s for my mom,” said Evelyn, also known as Evo. “She was my biggest fan. She always encouraged me and was so devoted.” Evo is
