Welcome to the Team!

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Mary Ellen Jordan – Cleveland, OH

We are delighted to welcome our new Case Manager, Mary Ellen Jordan. Mary Ellen is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with many years of experience in hospice and bereavement. She joined our staff in mid-July.

As Case Manager, Mary Ellen will support our residents in setting goals and finding resources to achieve those goals. We believe that with a dedicated case manager on staff, we can better support our residents to address the challenges they face, including substance use disorders, trauma, physical or mental illness, and lack of workforce training. By using a person-centered approach, Mary Ellen will work toward building trusting relationships with our residents that will translate into independence and sustainability.

We are grateful to The Cleveland Foundation for providing the funding for this valuable position.

Bessy Ferrell – Orange County, CA

We are so happy to welcome Bessy Ferrell to the team in Orange County. Get to know Bessy through a few questions we asked her!

1) What brought you to FOCUS?

I have always been very active with my church. I also enjoy helping people. I believe that faith without works is dead (James 2:17.) FOCUS gives me the opportunity to have an outlet to live my faith in a practical manner.

2) What are you most excited about in your new role?

I am most excited about the opportunity to put my education and passion towards an organization that is strongly based on the principles of my faith with a practical expression towards helping others.

3) What is one piece of advice you have for someone who cares about making a difference in their community?

Keep your goals realistic. Don’t try to make a difference by changing the world. Make a difference where you are in the moment. You may not be able to change the world all at once but you can make a difference on the street corner where you are standing.

4) Is there anything else you want to share with our community of neighbors, volunteers, and supporters?

I just want to thank everyone for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of an organization like FOCUS. It is a great privilege for me and I feel blessed to be a part of it.