NOVEMBER 2025

Dear Friends,

The holiday season is here!

Whether it’s roasting a turkey, baking cookies, wrapping presents, or hanging twinkling lights, there are countless ways to show our love for others during the holiday season.

But did you know there’s also an “official” day to demonstrate your love for the world around you? Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 with a simple goal – encourage people to do good. It is always the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving – so, Dec. 2 this year. The organization behind the Giving Tuesday movement describes it as an effort to unleash the power of radical generosity.

I love the thought of using these two words in tandem: Radical Generosity. As an adjective, radical means “affecting the fundamental nature of something.” As a noun, generosity is “the quality of being kind and generous.” Radical generosity – whether in the form of time, talent or treasure – has the power to effectuate change. It can change one person’s life. It can change a community. And it can change the world.

Since LHM Foundation announced our Horizons transitional housing program, every day has felt like Giving Tuesday. We have been changed by the generosity of our donors, volunteers and community partners. And for that, we are thankful.

My best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving!

With gratitude,

Amy

Amy C. Foerster, CEO LHM Foundation

We’ve been busy growing our team, meeting new friends, and celebrating the generosity of donors this month! As we close in on the January opening of our Horizons transitional housing program, we’ve added several important members to our team:

Bringing an almost 40-year career in the food service industry, Lori Swahn has joined LHM Foundation as our Director of Dining Services. In this role, Lori will help build a sense of community through shared meals. Outside of work, Lori enjoys spending time with her four-legged “boys” (Mason the dog and Chase the cat), swimming, hiking, and drumming.
With 15 acres of land and a 42,000 sq ft facility, we were thrilled to have Chris Long join our team as the Director of Facilities & Grounds, after serving for more than 12 years in a similar role at a residential drug and alcohol treatment program for boys and young men. When not working to keep our campus beautiful, Chris enjoys camping and riding motorcycles with his wife, Angie.
After a fulfilling career as an elementary school teacher, Wendy Fellinger joined the Foundation as an Administrative Specialist, helping with development efforts and other special projects. Outside of work, Wendy serves as the volunteer coordinator for a local food pantry and treasures time with her husband, Rick, and son, Casey – especially if it’s at the beach!

We also welcomed many visitors to LHM Foundation this month. In addition to our frequent tours, we were excited to host an Open House for the community. Neighbors, prospective volunteers, and community partners stopped in to learn more about our Horizons transitional housing program. We appreciated their great questions about and enthusiasm for our work. Later that same day, we celebrated the upcoming opening of Horizons with dozens of donors whose indispensable support is allowing us to begin serving those in need.

Interested in learning more? Follow us on social media for the most up-to-date information!

Mention LHM Foundation or our unique code (50322) when donating clothes at any CommunityAid store. LHM Foundation gets paid for every pound donated!

DID YOU KNOW?

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS MONTH

November is widely recognized as Homelessness Awareness Month, but in 2007, Congress formally recognized November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month as well. The designation was intended to bring public awareness to youth homelessness, and to support and applaud the businesses, organizations and volunteers who help meet the needs of unhoused children and teens.

Alarmingly, the number of unhoused children across the United States rose 32.8% from 2023 to 2024. In Pennsylvania alone, at least 2,873 children experienced homelessness in 2024.

As temperatures drop and the holidays draw near, we cannot lose sight of those who do not have access to safe, stable housing. LHM Foundation is committed to serving unhoused youth beginning in January 2026.

POWERED BY PARTNERS

THANK YOU, COMMUNITY PARTNERS!

We are excited to share that UPMC Pinnacle Foundation is supporting the Horizons transitional housing program, benefiting unhoused patients in a unique way!

Thanks to the generosity of the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, two units at LHM Foundation’s facility will be dedicated to UPMC patients experiencing homelessness.

This short-term respite housing will provide patients with a clean, secure environment in which to recuperate while receiving follow-up visits from the UPMC Central Pa. Street Medicine team. Although the UPMC Centra Pa. referrals will not participate in our full 18-month Horizons program, they will be encouraged to take part in the supportive services offered by LHM Foundation during their stay.

At LHM Foundation, we firmly believe that collaboration is the key. By working together, we can make 1+1 = 3!

Thank you, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation and UPMC Central Pa. Street Medicine team!

We need YOU!

Our Beam Team volunteers will be at the heart of our Horizons transitional housing program. They will be the warm “hello” at reception, the smile at mealtime, and the friendly wave helping to keep our grounds beautiful. You can sign up NOW at www.lhm-foundation.org/volunteer. Contact Mel Cronin, Volunteer Coordinator, at mel.cronin@lhm-foundation.org or 717.402.6317 with questions.

Speaking of volunteers, this month we were joined by volunteers from LifePoint Church and LHM Physical Therapy Institute, who added lines and arrows to our parking lot to keep traffic flowing safely, sanded and stained railings outside, and helped to prepare our kitchen to serve meals.

Thank you, Beam Team volunteers!

Spot a lighthouse on your travels? Share it with us! Although our work is depicted by the beam emanating from a lighthouse’s lamp, the entire lighthouse still holds a special place in our hearts! Alyssa Foerster, a friend of LHM Foundation (and daughter of CEO Amy Foerster!), spotted this beauty on her recent travels to Nova Scotia.

The classic red-and-white Peggy’s Point Lighthouse in Peggy’s Cove (population 30!), Nova Scotia, is reported to be one of the most photographed lighthouses in the word. The original lighthouse was built in 1868, but was replaced with the current 50-foot-tall octagonal structure in 1915. The lighthouse’s lamp, which shines 12 miles into the ocean, marks the entrance to St. Margaret’s Bay.

Send us your lighthouse photos at info@lhm-foundation.org. Include the location and any information you wish to share!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
TIM ROMANO

Meet Tim! Tim Romano is an area leader for LHM Physical Therapy Institute but still finds time to volunteer with LHM Foundation’s Beam Teams!

When asked what motivates him to jump in when we need volunteer help, Tim explained, “I think when you realize just how truly blessed you are, the only response is to serve others. I can directly see the impact we’re having in people’s lives, although it might fill my bucket even more than it does theirs!”

Tim has been a Beam Team volunteer since LHM Foundation’s early days. Encouraging others to join in, Tim adds, “it’s easy to sign up. Just come with an open heart ready to serve!”

Thank you, Tim! You truly are a bright light at LHM Foundation!