Reverend Liz Danielsen, Chaplain, is the Executive Director, President & CEO of SCSM. As an ordained minister who completed her pastoral education with an emphasis on hospital and hospice ministry, Liz obtained her certification as a Bereavement Facilitator, as well as her Death and Grief Certification. Liz’s pastoral training was done at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, NJ. She has also been on staff and ministered as a Chaplain at Newton Memorial Hospital and The Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in New Jersey, as well as The Hospice of the Piedmont and Culpeper Regional Hospital in Culpeper, Virginia.
Out of her work with people of all ages, she saw needs that were not being met to support those who were chronically ill, dying, grieving, or experiencing personal losses and those who journey with them, so she founded Spiritual Care Support Ministries, Inc., and opened the ministry center in Warrenton, VA, in 2004. Chaplain Liz provides overall direction for the work of SCSM, while continuing to work individually with people who are in need of healing, as well as conducting support groups, training sessions, and retreats. When invited, she also preaches and shares the ministry of SCSM at churches throughout Virginia, the USA, and overseas. Liz was married for over 50 years to Arvid Danielsen and has three children and eight grandchildren.
Our Center Director, Danette Jennings, enhances the Executive Director’s effectiveness by providing a full range of office management support to facilitate the efficient day-to-day operation of SCSM. People are drawn to Danette for her smile and the creativity she exhibits in her work (as well as her wardrobe). With an excellent eye for detail, she maintains the company website; assists with the creation of, and provides editorial review of, all SCSM materials; creates and updates Policies and Procedures for the center; manages internal processes and programs; assists the Executive Director with Finance and HR, and a myriad of other projects in support of SCSM. Additionally, the Center Director is in charge of the center, providing staff oversight and leadership when the Executive Director is not in the office.
Anna Hansen is our Marketing Coordinator here at SCSM. Anna plays an integral role of marketing SCSM and all of our upcoming events. She promotes our community presence and online exposure by creating and designing our marketing campaigns (groups, events, and training), social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram), promotional materials (brochures and flyers), and newspaper submissions. She is also responsible for the creation of SCSM’s quarterly newsletter which is to sent to more than 4,000 people in our local community and world-wide. Anna’s wonderful creativity will be seen as she enjoys making our materials eye catching and engaging to help bring those in need to the center.
Pam Stilton is our Resource Development Coordinator, responsible for revenue tracking, grant research and submission, as well as creating and implementing fundraising opportunities and PR events. This includes working with individuals, businesses, schools, and faith communities to determine how SCSM can help them, whether through our services provided here at the center or setting up off-site events, seminars and trainings.
Debbie Dallesandro is our Community Outreach Coordinator. She is responsible for connecting SCSM with our communities locally and nationally. Debbie has two main areas of focus: 1) Community Outreach – brainstorming potential partnerships and methods for engagement with the local community; working closely with community partners to plan and execute various outreach events; and distribution of marketing materials; and 2) Home Outreach – working closely with the Volunteer Coordinator to identify those in need and provide visitation for those who are homebound, shut-in, or in nursing or assisted living facilities.
Our Center Office Assistant, Rose Hernandez, provides a myriad of administrative support to our team, lending a helping hand wherever is needed.
Rose has three vital roles at SCSM. 1) Receptionist, better known as our “Director of First Impressions,” greeting our clients and guests with her warm and contagious smile, making them feel welcome; 2) Scheduler – responsible for the intake, coordination, and scheduling of counseling sessions for all SCSM counselors, including the Executive Director; and 3) Office Assistant – providing administrative and clerical support for the team. Rose is bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English, which allows SCSM to better support the Hispanic community.
Nancy Getreu, our Volunteer Coordinator, has a true heart for people and enjoys working closely with and managing our 90+ wonderful volunteers. She coordinates the day-to-day volunteer ministry opportunities as well as various special events. She is also responsible for the many administrative aspects associated with the volunteers such our quarterly newsletter mailings, as well as sending out a weekly communication to keep all of our volunteers updated on the upcoming opportunities and needs of the center. Nancy is our newest employee, so please stop by and say “hi”!
Board of Directors
Joyce is a graduate of Essex College of Business, has four year theological training from the University of the South, Clinical Pastoral Education from Somerset Medical Center, Somerville, New Jersey and Pastoral Care Training from Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute, New York City. She had a staff position at St. Mary’s Church, Sparta, N.J., (required pastoral, spiritual counseling, adult ministry programming). She was a Chaplain at Newton Memorial Hospital, Newton, New Jersey and a Chaplain at the Karen Ann Quinlan, Center of Hope Hospice, Sussex County, NJ. Joyce was the owner of Kwik Kar Lube and Tune center, Coppell, Texas where she received Outstanding Business of the Year Award(1997). She also served as Director, Coppell Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of the Board, Coppell Chamber of Commerce; Board member, Coppell Drug and Alcohol Commission; Board member, Coppell Citizens Advocacy; and Chairman, Retail and Small Business Team, Coppell, Tx. She has also been the Pastor for Pastoral Care and Counseling, St. Nicholas Church, Flower Mound, Texas.
Kathleen was the valedictorian, Cheyenne Central High School, attended Stanford University (3 years) and earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University Of California, San Francisco Medical Center. She was a Physical Therapist, Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mt. Holly, NJ, caseload varied from critical care to outpatient. She was also a Physical Therapist at a New Jersey run state home for those with multiple handicaps. Kathleen has always been very active in her church and with volunteer activities. At various times she has been nursery director, Sunday school bus driver (over 10 years), worked in musical productions, coordinated outreach activities with other churches, served as a post-abortion counselor and financial counselor.
Debbie comes to SCSM as a Business Administration graduate of the University of Mary Washington, with experience ranging from small to large international corporations taking her from clerk to controller.
Debbie has first-hand experience with SCSM and its supportive services. When she was widowed at the age of 36 and had 2 sons to raise, there was no quality counseling readily available. With her sons now grown, she has time to help others with their journey. She is especially passionate about children’s access to grief counseling.
Jerry “Jay” McCargo, earned a BA in Political Science and English from the University of Rhode Island and a MBA in Business Administration from American University. He has professional certifications from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, and George Washington University. He has over 25 years of experience as a Senior Executive, and is currently President and CEO of ARServices, an award-winning management consulting firm, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, with operations in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Mr. McCargo’s professional accomplishments are rivaled only by his commitment to charitable giving and community support through service. He has personally contributed each year for the past 20 plus years to various charitable organizations and has instituted the “A Day of Service” program within ARServices, providing one day of paid leave per year to afford his employees the opportunity to give back to their communities in ways that are most important to them.
Our Counselors
Our Facilitators
