A Nonprofit Organization
Dedicated to Inspiring Hope in Times of Crisis
Our Board
Katie Gildein
-Registered Nurse
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Katie grew up in Bucks County, PA, and is currently in school pursuing her nurse practitioner degree in psychiatric mental health care. She intends to specialize in the practice of geriatric psychiatry. Katie has previously been employed as the Director of Nursing at the Rydal Park Retirement Community and also as the Director of Residential Services for Senior Living with Acts Retirement Life Communities, Inc. Katie brings a passion for the best possible mental health treatment for all individuals to our cause.
​​Sheila Hudson
-Founder of Giving Smiles Photography & Hudson Food & Drink
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Sheila created her own charitable organization fourteen called “Giving Smiles Photography,” which combines her passion for photography with her commitment to working for the underserved community. She performs photo sessions for babies and young children and then provides their families with a free professional package of photos. Sheila also launched “Hudson Food & Drink,” another photography venture, this time focusing on the restaurant business. Most of the proceeds from Hudson Food & Drink go to the Philabundance Organization. Sheila recently completed her master's degree in interior design and now works in the nonprofit sector, designing interior structures for underserved communities.
Brian Meck
-District Aide for the Office of Senator Maria Collett
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Brian is a lifelong Montgomery County, PA resident, who made a mid-life career change from social worker to now District Aide for Senator Maria Collett. He finds his new job still draws on his social worker roots, and he is excited to have a positive impact on a broad range of societal issues. Brian joins our Board as a knowledgeable and creative fundraiser, with many connections to our surrounding businesses, schools, churches, and mental health agencies.
Annie Stafford
-Psychiatric Survivor, Advocate
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Annie Stafford is a certified peer specialist and psychiatric survivor who has worked in various areas of the mental health field for over ten years. Currently, Annie is employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She also facilitates continuing education trainings for mental health workers, is a full-time college student, and co-directs Tend to Hope. Previously, Annie was employed in roles such as project consultant to a national mental health initiative, research assistant, and group facilitator for a young adult hearing-voices group. Annie is committed to creating radical change in our current traditional mental health system and strives to utilize her lived experience to act as an advocate, educator and support to those experiencing hardship.
Patricia Stafford
-Volunteer and Student Coordinator, Jefferson Abington and Lansdale Hospital
Tricia holds two master’s degrees and has been working with Abington Hospital for nearly thirty years. She has been passionately engaged in the mental health field for over twenty years, as a parent, researcher, advocate, writer, and organizer. She co-created Tend to Hope with her daughter in an effort to bring hope to individuals struggling in psychiatric facilities. She keeps current on the latest mental health literature and has written articles, newsletters and a memoir. She also co-founded a "parents and allies support group" for the Montgomery County Hearing Voices Network.
Joe Betz
- In Memoriam
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Forever in our hearts. Always a part of our Tend to Hope family.