About

Edith Yoder, EdM, is the Chief Executive Officer of Bridge of Hope National and serves as community board chair of Bridge of Hope Lancaster. She authored the original church volunteer training manual for Bridge of Hope and developed many Bridge of Hope manuals on nonprofit management, fundraising, and board issues. Edith holds a master’s degree in Adult and Organizational Development from Temple University and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Eastern Mennonite University. After 30 years with Bridge of Hope in varying roles, Edith is more passionate than ever about building neighborhoods of support for families facing homelessness.

On a day full of tears back in 2013, I was accepted as a participant in the Bridge of Hope program.  As a human being, I felt crushed and just about hopeless about digging out of a life of working so very hard, but seemingly getting deeper in a financial hole.  Bridge of Hope Neighboring Volunteers walked beside me, picked me up and in the spring of 2015, I graduated from the program a changed person with financial rationality, hope, optimism and so much love for the world again. The challenges continued, but I could follow the steps I learned and “walk through the fire” or better yet, “step around it.”

Todd Capitao is the Director of Programming at Solanco Neighborhood Ministries and oversees the programs and services of the ministry. In this role, he partners with churches, local businesses, government programs, and other non-profit organizations to find the best available resources to meet needs.   

Kris Lundquist holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Millersville University.  Kris is a Realtor and part of the Shreiner Group at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices –HomeSale Realty, where she has served her clients for the past 21 years.  She is acutely aware of the need for safe and affordable housing in Lancaster County. The work of Bridge of Home was first brought to her attention when she worked for a small ministry over 25 years ago and saw first-hand how the Bridge of Hope program works and is a bridge toward ending homelessness.  Kris says, “I look forward to learning more about Bridge of Hope and how I can use my skills and abilities to assist and work within our community.” Kris and her husband Dave live in Manheim Twp. They have two adult children. They attend James Street Mennonite, and enjoy hiking, camping, theatre and travel.

Crystal Martin, Ed.D. is the Assistant to the Superintendent for the Columbia Borough School District. She holds the belief that with consistent, predictable, positive, and safe environments, schools do a better job, more of the time, with more students, across more differences. Crystal’s background in working with schools equips her with a unique voice at Bridge of Hope Lancaster.

A native of Lancaster, Lynette Morales joined Everence more than 10 years ago, currently working closely with Hispanic and Latino congregations and church members, helping them integrate their faith and finances through congregational services, pastor and church leader resources, and stewardship education. Lynette and her husband, Juan Carlos, have three children and in addition to spending time with her family, Lynette enjoys scrapbooking and sharing the Gospel. She is a member of Christ Alone Fellowship, a Bible Fellowship Church, in Lancaster City, where her husband serves as church planter and teaching pastor.

Lynette stated, “Bridge of Hope’s model alone gives me reason to be excited about being a small part of this work: Mobilizing the church! As a pastor’s wife I see the importance of the Bride of Christ being what God has called her to be. Responding to homeless is just one small piece of the great work God called the church to.”

Anna Rodriguez is a Sales Specialist for Westover Companies Sales.   Anna’s voice as an alumna of Bridge of Hope’s program makes her a powerful ambassador for the mission of Bridge of Hope.  She shares her story this way, “I left an unhealthy relationship and went to a shelter around the time of COVID. They put my children and myself up in a hotel, and I kept praying, fasting, for a home. My counselor at the time explained to me about Bridge Hope and he told me to apply. Long story short, Bridge of Hope was there for my family and helped me to get back on my feet. That’s what I would like for other families – to see them succeed and help them to have a stable home that they can call theirs. We can accomplish anything when we have our fellow brothers and sisters next to us to hold our hands through hard times.”  

James B. Todd (Jim), B.A., M.Div. is a retired United Methodist pastor, currently chairing the Human Resources Team of the Eastern PA Conference of the United Methodist Church. For eight years, Jim was District Superintendent for 80 United Methodist Churches in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. Before retirement, he was senior pastor of East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church where he was involved in ministry among those who were homeless. Jim now lives with his wife, Karen, in the City of Lancaster, where they have been made aware of the high housing costs for families. They have two grown daughters: Lauren, who lives in Philadelphia, and Kristin, married to Nick, who lives in Denver, CO. Jim and Karen enjoy traveling, hiking, and biking in retirement. They attend Grandview Church when not traveling. Jim enjoys “handyman” work and will continue doing minor home improvement projects in Bridge of Hope homes as the need arises. He says, “I was blessed to be raised by a handyman father and a very caring mother who was always looking out for those in need, and I try to bring these qualities and others to my work with Bridge of Hope.”

Karen Todd, in retirement, has chosen to grow roots in the heart of Lancaster City where she resides with her husband, Jim.  Karen views this as a homecoming of sorts – having worked from 2006 – 2014 in women’s and children’s ministries in various United Methodist churches in Lancaster County. Her heart for urban ministry continues as she serves on LUMINA whose ministry reaches out to the poor in wealth and spirit, sharing the love of God by equipping and encouraging.  Karen also chairs the board for M.O.O.S., a before-school program, supported by various area United Methodist and Mennonite churches, that benefits the students and families of Fulton Elementary School.  With a B.A. from Grove City College, Karen continues to draw upon her prior 25 years of experience as a senior manager/vice president with Wells Fargo Bank throughout the Philadelphia area counties to provide education and advocacy for others.   Karen enjoys hiking, travelling, and participating in any adventure dreamed up by her husband, Jim, and their two adult daughters, Lauren and Kristin.  “Since love of neighbor is, for me, the starting and the end point in life, I am humbled to move forward with Bridge of Hope as we share God’s love in tangible ways with people experiencing homelessness and hardship.”

Joanie Yoder is a business consultant with several decades of experience as part of the ownership team of a multi-state family owned/operated transportation company.  Her specialty areas include payroll, benefits and office administration. She received her B.A. from Goshen College (IN) in Business in 1983.