BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF CARE
HOSTED BY: COMMUNITY ACTION
PARTNERSHIP OF LANCASTER COUNTY
MAY 20, 2026 • THE WARE CENTER
WELCOME
VANESSA
PHILBERT, CEO OF CAP, AND CHRISTINE GILFILLAN, DIRECTOR OF DVS
Welcome to the CAP-DVS Conference, Building a Community of Care for survivors of domestic abuse. Thank you for being part of this day and celebrating with us. 2026 is DVS’s 50th anniversary of providing safety, support, services, and resources for survivors of domestic abuse in Lancaster County, and CAP’s 60th anniversary of addressing poverty and fostering economic mobility for families.
Our goal today is to create space to come together as a community and explore how our broader societal conditions impact the safety and stability of survivors and their families, and to explore best practices and innovative ideas to best support survivors and our teams as we do this work.
To accomplish this, the conference team has carefully curated a day of learning and sharing with speakers and presenters whose passion and areas of expertise will enrich your knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse.
Some highlights we’re looking forward to:
Our Keynote Speaker, Casey Keene, LMSW. Casey’s lived experience as well as her 25+ years of professional experience in gender-based violence advocacy at the state and national levels will inspire you.
Our Panel Discussion, a cross-sector conversation on DV with local experts in their respective fields, will set the stage for the breakout sessions and for future learning, planning, and discussions. 12 workshops with topics from Restorative Workplaces to Supporting Immigrant & Refugee Survivors to Prevention Starts Here/Breaking the Cycle will motivate you to do your part.
We also want to learn from you! Our panel and workshops will be interactive and feature open dialogue and discussion. And our hope is that today serves as a catalyst for deeper collaboration in our shared commitment to building a community where all people can thrive and live free from violence. Thank you for the work you do every day and for the role you play in helping create a community that honors and ensures safety and dignity for survivors and their families.
In solidarity,
Vanessa Philbert and Christine Gilfillan
BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF CARE
CONFERENCE THEMES AT A GLANCE
Domestic violence impacts every community, but every community can be part of the solution. This conference explores how we can work together to create safer, more supportive systems of care.
�� CommunityWide Response
�� Prevention & Culture Change
�� Cross-Sector Collaboration
�� TraumaInformed Care
�� Equity & Access �� Practical Tools & Strategies
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
8:00-9:00 A.M.
8:00-9:00 A.M.
9:00 A.M.
9:30 A.M.
10:45-11:45 A.M.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
11:45 A.M.-12:45
P.M.
12:45-1:45 P.M.
Supporting Workplace Safety and Wellness: Addressing IPV
Workshop | Christine Gilfillan
Classroom 3‐05
Healing in Community
Lecture | Anna Nasser & Tori Madrak
Classroom 3‐14
Get Your Boys: Detoxing Masculinity Through Community Care
Workshop | Adam Hosey
Classroom 3‐04
Safe to Care: Sustaining a Workplace Culture of Care
Panel | Crystal Werhel, Rita Dixon, Solmarie Ramos, & Fai Hammond
Choral Room
2:00-3:00 P.M.
Pennsylvania Protection Acts: What You Need to Know
Workshop | Rachel Pinsker & Delia Sanchez
Classroom 3‐05
2:00-3:00 P.M.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Equine Assisted Therapy: Innovative Trauma‐Informed Services
Lecture | Abigail Wilson & Heather Girvin
Choral Room
Beyond Shelter: VAWA Protections and the Ongoing Housing Crisis for Survivors on Domestic Violence
Workshop | Rebecca Reinsburrow & Jennifer DiCola
Classroom 3‐04
Interpersonal Violence in the Plain and Amish Community
Workshop | Danielle Harvey
Classroom 3‐14
3:15-3:30 P.M.
Keynote Speaker & Panelist
Casey Keene (LMSW)
A nationally recognized leader in violence prevention and resilience after childhood trauma, with over two decades of experience, Casey has led groundbreaking initiatives at the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and now serves as Associate Director of The Learning Community at the Battered Women’s Justice Project.
A powerful speaker, author, and collaborator, Casey is known for bringing people together across sectors to build healthier, more connected communities. Her work centers survivor voices, advances equity, and inspires meaningful, lasting change.
PANELISTS
Alisa Marie Jones
Sector Focus: Health & Wellness
Alisa Maria Jones is President and CEO of Union Community Care, a Federally Qualified Health Center serving communities across central Pennsylvania. She leads an integrated network of care that combines medical, behavioral, dental, and social services to meet the needs of patients and families With more than 20 years of experience in public health and community health leadership, Alisa has guided significant organizational growth and transformation, including the merger that formed Union Community Care and expanded access to care across the region Her leadership is rooted in a commitment to health equity and a belief that healthcare should be accessible, dignified, and centered on each person ’ s unique experience A bilingual and bicultural leader, Alisa is known for developing strong teams, advancing communitycentered models of care, and leading with both purpose and discipline.
Martin Focus: Housing
brings over 30 years of experience in the ofit sector to his role as the first Executive or of Chestnut Housing. In addition to ive leadership roles and board service for a of organizations, he has been a pastor, an cher, and the director of a national grant m to support the preservation of historic h buildings He also currently co-chairs the on for Sustainable Housing, a Lancaster y network of individuals, organizations and sses advocating for more housing solutions community Chad lives just outside ster city on a six-acre farm with his wife Jess and their two kids
PANELISTS
Dr. April Hershey
Sector Focus: Education
Dr. April M. Hershey, Ed.D. is an experienced educational leader currently serving as Assistant Superintendent for the School District of Lancaster. She brings more than three decades of experience in public education, including 15 years as Superintendent of the Warwick School District in Pennsylvania Dr Hershey began her career as a K–12 music teacher before moving into school administration as a principal and district leader Known for her collaborative leadership style, she emphasizes trust-building, strong relationships, and ensuring that all students feel valued and supported In her current role, she oversees curriculum, instruction, and school leadership, working closely with principals and district teams to improve student outcomes and strengthen organizational culture. Her work is grounded in a belief that effective leadership is rooted in listening, empowering others, and keeping student success at the center of all decisions
Heather Valudes
Sector Focus: Workforce
Heather Valudes is President & CEO of the Lancaster Chamber, where she leads initiatives that support more than 1,300 business members and strengthen the Lancaster County community Since joining the Chamber in 2011, she has advanced major legislative efforts, represented business interests, and helped secure four-star accreditation from the U S Chamber of Commerce. Heather holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Chester University, earned the Certified Chamber Executive designation in 2021, and has been recognized as a “40 Under 40” honoree. A lifelong Lancaster County resident, she lives in West Lampeter with her husband and twin daughters
PANELISTS
Vanessa Philbert
Panel Facilitator
Vanessa Philbert, Chief Executive Officer for the nity Action Partnership of Lancaster County, n engaged in community-building and nonork in Lancaster County for the past 20 years of New York City, Vanessa previously held ally at the United Way of Lancaster County, e House for Men, and Pressley Ridge In her CAP, she provides leadership and strategic o CAP’s 15-plus programs. Vanessa brings a perspective to community problem-solving n her lived experiences and journey out of She works to address generational problems nerational solutions and through a crosstrategic approach She holds a Master’s in Strategic Leadership and Organizational ment from Elizabethtown College and a r ’ s Degree in Applied Psychology and g ational Development from Albright College
GUEST PRESENTERS
Abigail Wilson, DSW, LSW
Abigail Wilsom, DSW, LSW, is a Pennsylvaniabased Licensed Social Worker A Level 1 Natural Lifemanship practitioner, she teaches social work at Millersville University and Elizabethtown College She earned her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania and has a Doctor of Social Work degree from Millersville University of Pennsylvania Abigail works at an advocacy organization during the day, working with service providers to achieve a brighter future for children, youth, and families. Abigail has worked primarily with children and youth experiencing various mental, behavioral health concerns In her work, Abigail utilizes psychotherapy as well as ecotherapeutic and equine-assisted strategies
GUEST PRESENTERS
Co-Presenter: Heather Girvin, PhD, MSS
Heather Girvin, PhD, MSS is a lifelong horsewoman, social service professional, and Founder of Lone Oak Heather’s work aims to build community wellness by offering equine-assisted therapeutic and developmental programming Heather is currently an associate professor at Millersville University and is actively earning her Doctorate from Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work & Social Research. Heather’s practice experience centers on children and families, primarily in child protective services and foster care. She’s worked in residential programs, public child welfare agencies, provided inhome services, and worked as an outpatient therapist Heather’s interests include trauma, social justice, and alternative interventions that are accessible, individualized, and effective Through her work at Lone Oak, Heather build community wellness by offering equine-assisted therapeutic and developmental programming, with a focus on trauma-informed, accessible, and individualized care
Adam Hosey
Adam Hosey is the Chief of Staff for Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates, where he works with advocates and elected officials to advance sexual and reproductive health A former teacher and chief equity officer, Adam brings a strong focus on equity and community-driven change
Angela Keen
Angela Keen has more than 25 years of experience in victim services, restorative justice, and traumainformed care She currently serves as a Senior Training & Technical Assistance Specialist with the Office for Victims of Crime Training & Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC), supporting victim service agencies nationwide through customized training and technical assistance. Previously, Angela held leadership roles with Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County, Advoz, and Survivors, Inc.,
GUEST PRESENTERS
where she advanced trauma-informed, clientcentered practices and restorative justice initiatives
A restorative justice practitioner since 2007, she is a certified trauma practitioner and trainer in crisis intervention and trauma-informed criminal justice practices Angela holds a master’s degree in Community Psychology & Social Change from Penn State University
Anna Nasser
Anna Nasser joined the DVSCP team as a Public Education Advocate in May 2025 She serves as the designated advocate for Cumberland County, Shippensburg University, and Central Penn College In her role, Anna collaborates with community organizations to create engaging programming, particularly for youth and adolescents, and coordinates event coverage and outreach to ensure DVSCP is recognized as a trusted resource. She also assists Cumberland County clients with Protection From Abuse orders and provides counseling. Anna graduated from Dickinson College with an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree focused on Religion, Colonization, and Women’s and Gender Studies While on campus, she advocated for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, volunteered with the Center for the Future of Native Peoples (where she now serves on the local advisory board), and consulted with the Women’s and Gender Resource Center to help coordinate events such as Take Back the Night
Co-Presenter: Tori Madrak
ToriMadrak has been a public education advocate for Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland & Perry Counties (DVSCP) for nearly four years They serve as the designated advocate for Perry County and various educational institutions throughout Cumberland County Torihas been a dedicated and passionate advocate for the agency and has initiated a variety of new educational programming and support groups to enhance access to information and healing for clients and community members alike.
GUEST PRESENTERS
Tori started as a resident advocate working in shelter before transitioning to public education where they also provide legal advocacy and counseling for DVSCP Tori completed their Bachelors and Masters in Applied Psychology at Shippensburg University, along with a Behavioral Health Specialist Certification While in school, Tori volunteered with NAMI and conducted research on antisocial behaviors and heart rate variability (HRV), subsequently attending and presenting their research at The Association for Psychological Sciences (APS) Annual Conference in 2019. When not at work,Torienjoys reading, hiking with their parrot Hinkel, and getting involved with local mutual aid groups/projects.
Christine Gilfillan
Christine Gilfillan is the Director of Domestic Violence Services (DVS) of Lancaster County, a program of the Community Action Partnership. Prior to working with the DVS team, Christine spent 17 years at Safe Berks in Reading as Director of Education and Community Outreach, Assistant Director, and Chief Operating Officer Christine has been advocating for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as the prevention of violence and safety in our communities for over 25 years
Dr. Claudia Smith
Dr Claudia E Smith is a Board-Certified Clinical Sexologist and the CEO and primary clinician of Your Sexuality Matters - Sexuality & Relationship Counseling Services, where she provides online counseling and facilitates trauma- informed workshops for individuals and groups. Her work centers on supporting individuals who are navigating the emotional, relational, and identitybased impact of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other forms of interpersonal trauma With a specialization in the intersection of trauma and sexuality, Dr Smith's approach recognizes how experiences of violence often disrupt body image, boundaries, communication, and the capacity for safe connection with others
GUEST PRESENTERS
She integrates foundational psychoeducation with reflective dialogue and practical skill building to help participants better understand their responses to trauma, strengthen coping strategies, and rebuild a sense of agency in their lives and relationships. Through her clinical practice and community-based programming, Dr Smith is committed to contributing to communities of care by creating responsive, inclusive spaces where individuals can explore healing at their own pace, develop healthy relational patterns, and reconnect with their sense of voice, choice, and self- worth
Crystal Werhel
Crystal Werhel has dedicated 40 years to serving her community through Community Action Partnership, including the past decade as Director of the Utility Assistance Department. She is committed to helping individuals and families maintain stability by ensuring access to essential utility services during times of need. Crystal believes strong team culture is built intentionally through trust, shared purpose, and accountability She has seen how a healthy internal culture strengthens service delivery, builds community trust, and extends impact beyond an organization’s walls She believes when a team is strong internally, when they trust, value and respect each other and share a clear purpose; they serve our community with greater stability, safety, and compassion And when services are stable, safe and compassionate, families are better able to weather hardship
Co-Presenter: Rita Dixon
Rita Dixon serves as the Utility Assistance Program Coordinator, bringing over 10 years of experience within the department, beginning as a Utility Assistance Specialist and advancing into a supervisory role over the past two years She is a dedicated team leader with a passion for building healthy, collaborative workplace cultures where staff feel supported and valued
GUEST PRESENTERS
She believes strong teams are built on safety, trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to growth. She intentionally fosters an environment where employees are cared for as people first and feel empowered to contribute their strengths while continuing to learn and evolve She is excited to be part of this panel and share insights on cultivating team cultures that inspire both connection and performance
Co-Presenter: Solmarie Ramos
Solmarie Ramos has proudly worked at CAP for 10 years, including five years in the Utility Assistance Department. During her time with the organization, she has remained committed to CAP’s mission and to serving participants and the community with care She is grateful to be part of a healthy team culture within her department, crediting much of that to the leadership and example set by Crystal and Rita, who model strong, positive relationships and influence how the team works together Communication is highly valued on her team; coworkers trust leadership and feel comfortable sharing feedback or personal concerns, knowing they will be heard and respected Her department provides a safe and supportive environment where she feels valued During conflict, she feels supported in finding solutions and knows that both her work and personal well-being matter. The team celebrates each other’s accomplishments both personal and professional and appreciates one another for simply being themselves. Being part of a team built on trust, communication, and support helps Solmarie bring her best self to work every day, which in turn allows her to better serve participants and the community with compassion and dedication
Co-Presenter/Moderator: Fai Hammond
Fai Hammondis the Community Outreach Coordinator at Domestic Violence Services (DVS), where they work to strengthen partnerships, raise awareness, and foster community-driven responses to domestic violence
GUEST PRESENTERS
With a deep commitment to survivor-centered and trauma-informed practices, Fai brings a collaborative and thoughtful approach to moderating conversations that support connection, learning, and collective care
lle Harvey
le Harvey (she/her) is the Counselor & al Supervisor at the Sexual Assault tion and Counseling Center (SAPCC) at the Lancaster. She holds a Bachelor’s in ogy from Millersville University She began urney with SAPCC in October 2012 first as a eer on the hotline, then as a medical ate before becoming a counselor in January ince the beginning of her career at SAPCC, le has been passionate about working with ors through the process of evidence ion and sexual assault forensic exams As al Supervisor she channels that passion into creating and maintaining positive relationships between SAPCC and local health care centers, as well has overseeing SAPCC’s team of Medical Advocates.Danielle’s approach to working with victim/survivors is authentic, strengths-based, and trauma-informed, with a focus on selfempowerment. Danielle recognizes that trauma can impact all parts of individual’s life and strives to help support survivors in feeling like they have control over their trauma, rather than their trauma controlling them
Jada Morales
Jada Morales is a prevention educator and advocate specializing in healthy relationships, digital safety, and trauma-informed youth programming With both professional expertise and lived experience as a child who witnessed domestic abuse, Jada brings a deeply personal and prevention-focused lens to the work of breaking cycles of violence She is committed to ensuring that children who witness abuse are not overlooked but encouraged to break the cycle
GUEST PRESENTERS
Jeanne Martin-Sczechowicz
Jeanne Martin-Sczechowicz serves as the Associate Director for Integration at Church World Service-Lancaster She has over 10 years ’ experience working with refugees and started in March 2016 In this role, she helps guide and support Health and Family Wellness, Economic Empowerment, and Welcome programming, serving individuals and families for up to five years from their date of arrival Jeanne received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from West Chester University and has spent time in both Rwanda and Vietnam, working and volunteering with local NGO’s focused on ESL learning, and empowerment of vulnerable populations.She recently received her Master’s in Social Work with a clinical focus and has an interest in supporting community-based socio-therapy initiatives Jeanne admires the great resiliency of the individuals she works with and the contributions they bring to the greater community
enter: Margret Dusabe
s a dedicated Case Manager with the , Happy Family program at Church World ancaster, where she supports refugee s they begin their resettlement journey ncaster community. In her role, Margret milies through both their short-term and m integration goals, ensuring they receive rces, advocacy, and culturally attuned necessary to build stable and thriving h more than a decade of experience mmigrants, refugees, and displaced ons across Africa and the United States, brings a deep well of expertise in informed care, social support systems, and community integration Throughout her career, she has worked collaboratively with other CWS programs and a wide network of community partners to strengthen holistic wraparound services for the families she serves always with a focus on dignity, empowerment, and long-term success.
GUEST PRESENTERS
Margret holds a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management and Hospitality from Kigali-Rwanda International School, a Certificate in Foundations and Addictive Behavior Counseling from the University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii, and a Certificate in Medical Terminology from Baltimore County College in Maryland. She resides in Lancaster County with her husband and two children. Outside of her work, Margret enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring the beauty and cultural richness of Lancaster, and building meaningful connections within her community
Pinsker
Co-Presenter: Delia Sanchez
Haynes Pinsker has devoted her legal o assisting victims of domestic violence ual assault Rachel is the Managing y for the Domestic Violence Legal Center in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania DVLC s holistic legal assistance to victims of ic violence in civil legal matters Prior to DVLC, Rachel served as the Legal Services r for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against ic Violence, a private nonprofit ation working at the state and national eliminate domestic violence. She has also d extensively in the counties of lphia, Dauphin, Adams, and York on behalf ms of domestic violence Rachel is an adjunct professor at Widener University Commonwealth Law School where she teaches family law and legal methods Rachel began her legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Leslie Gorbey, Court of Common Pleas, Lancaster County She holds a Juris Doctor from the City University of New York School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Millersville University Delia Sanchez has been a resident of Lancaster City for 50 years. She graduated from JP McCaskey High School Her advocacy began when she needed to address areas of education for children with different abilities
GUEST PRESENTERS
As a parent with children of different needs, Delia dedicated her time to engaging and educating parent volunteers. She assisted in drafting the School District of Lancaster’s Parent Involvement Policy (PIP) which led to each individual school implementing their own PIP. These policies are still active today. Once her children became independent enough, she returned to school to obtain an associate’s degree in paralegal studies Once she obtained her degree, she began her legal career as a clerk in the Lancaster County Prothonotary’s Office She then took a leap of faith and was hired by Domestic Violence Services as a Legal Advocate Today, she carries two roles One as an advocate and the other as a paralegal In 2025, she was recognized for her passion in advocating for victims of domestic violence and received the Pathways for Victim Services –Governor’s Victim Service Pathfinder Award She is fierce in her advocacy and continues to assist survivors in their healing journey.
Rebecca Reinsburrow
Rebecca Reinsburrow is a dedicated advocate with over 15 years of experience supporting survivors of domestic violence Rebecca currently serves as the Community Housing Supervisor at Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster Throughout her career, Rebecca has provided comprehensive crisis intervention and advocacy services, working directly with individuals and families to ensure safety, stability, and access to critical resources With extensive expertise in trauma-informed advocacy, Rebecca approaches the work with a deep understanding of the complex impact of abuse, prioritizing survivorcentered practices that promote dignity, empowerment, and long-term housing stability. Her background also includes specialized experience in housing advocacy, assisting survivors in navigating systems to secure safe and stable housing of their choice
GUEST PRESENTERS
Rebecca is committed to advancing equitable and compassionate responses to domestic violence through both direct service and community engagement
Co-Presenter: Jennifer DiCola, LCSW
Jennifer DiCola is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who serves as the Housing Coordinator at Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster. With more than 12 years of experience in the domestic violence field, she has held multiple roles within the organization, developing a strong and nuanced understanding of the intersections between domestic violence, mental health, substance use, and housing instability
Jennifer specializes in housing advocacy, eviction prevention, and the implementation of VAWA housing protections for survivors of domestic violence Her work bridges direct service and systems coordination, as she collaborates closely with housing providers and community agencies to expand access to safe, stable, and sustainable housing options Grounded in her background in psychology, social work, and trauma-informed practice, and supported by her advanced clinical training, Jennifer brings both therapeutic insight and policy expertise to addressing the complex housing challenges faced by survivors. In addition to her work with survivors, she is committed to strengthening community partnerships and advancing systemic solutions that promote longterm housing stability and safety
THE IMPACT
For 50 years, Domestic Violence Services (DVS) of Lancaster County has been more than a service provider; it has been a catalyst for eliminating domestic violence through direct service, advocacy, and social change. Throughout all our programs, we lead with an equity and trauma-informed lens, meeting every survivor where they are in their healing journey.
IN 2025, WE:
SUPPORTED 2,040 SURVIVORS ACROSS SERVICES
RESPONDED TO 1,329 HOTLINE CALLS AND TEXTS
PROVIDED 9,238 NIGHTS OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
PROVIDED SAFE HOUSE SHELTER FOR 159 ADULTS AND CHILDREN
DELIVERED SERVICES T0 1,354 CLIENTS THROUGH OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGAL CENTER
GET INVOLVED: We cannot do this work alone. Learn more about how you can be an advocate for a community free from domestic violence and support survivors in finding safety and thriving.
BE A PARTNER: Make a one-time gift or recurring donation, designating your tax-deductible contribution to DVS to ensure we are able to continue walking alongside survivors of domestic violence.
THANK YOU
Thank you to our team and community partners for making this event possible.
We’re stronger when we work together and thank everyone for their time, support, and care in making our DVS conference a success.
Thank you to our sponsors Penn State Health, and Highmark Wholecare
Thank you to our DVS Conference Core Team: Kristy Aurand, Julie Rhoads, Courtni Frey, Christine Gilfillan, Fai Hammond, Alisha Thomas, Arelis Perez, and Bella Ortley-Guthrie.
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