Our Board

Edith Yoder

Board Chair

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.

Dixie Becker

Adjunct Professor at Reading Area Community College

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.”

I have worked at Reading Area Community College since 2006 as an adjunct professor of developmental math, working to educate students to fill gaps in high school math, so they can be successful, in the college math needed for their careers and degrees. My Bridge of Hope experience helps me to walk alongside and neighbor students on their paths.

I have been married and widowed twice, the last time in June 2019. I’m raising my son Daniel 15, and my husband’s two grandsons 19 and 20, who have had their own lives filled with trauma and abuse.  I just moved into my rebuilt house as a tree crashed through the old house in 2019 shortly before my husband passed away.

I am a member of Bowmansville Mennonite church where I teach Sunday school. It is an honor and blessing to serve on the board of Bridge of Hope Lancaster.

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Todd Capitao

Director of Programming at Solanco Neighborhood Ministries

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.   

Prior to joining SNM, Todd was Director of Financial Empowerment at Tenfold and has spoken numerous times at the Bridge of Hope Annual Conference around family budgeting.  He enjoys sharing tips and ideas on how to save time and money. When he is not at work, he likes to spend time with family, work around the house/barn, visit yard sales, and check out auctions.  He is happy to serve on the Bridge of Hope Lancaster board because he believes deeply in the mission of Bridge of Hope. 

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Sib Nafziger Charles

Senior Manager for Joni and Friends Pennsylvania 

Sib is the Senior Manager for Joni and Friends Pennsylvania. She has been involved with the organization since 1990 and was instrumental in the creation, development and leadership of the Family Retreat program. There are now 182 weeklong retreats for families affected by disability nationally and internationally.   Sib also played a key role in starting the Joni and Friends Warrior Getaways. The Getaways are for veterans, and their family, who served in active combat and have visible and invisible wounds of wars.  Prior to Joni and Friends, she was the Executive Director of Beth Shalom a home for teen moms in Lancaster City.  

Sib is a graduate of Eastern Mennonite University, a certified Trauma Healing Facilitator through ABS and a founding member of the Lancaster Christian Council on Disability. She co-wrote a small book, Doing Life Together: Building Community. Sib travels and speaks around the country encouraging churches, corporations, and small businesses to begin to engage in the life of individuals affected by disability. Sib is the parent of one adult son who is married and lives in New Jersey.    

Sib and her husband Jesse Charles – who became a quadriplegic in his late teens following a farming accident – advocated together for marginalized people and the needs of individuals affected by disability during their 30 years of marriage. Sib’s husband Jess passed away April 2022. 

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Kris Lundquist

Realtor for Shreiner Group at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices –HomeSale Realty

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- Lancaster County Community Board Member

Crystal Martin

Assistant to the Superintendent; Columbia Borough School District

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.

Crystal and her husband, Doug, live in Brownstown, PA and attend Lancaster LCBC. Crystal is passionate about the mission of Bridge of Hope and their commitment to families facing homelessness with neighboring relationships.

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Ayanna Oman

Teacher's Assistant with Thrive to Five, Community Action Partnership 

Ayanna is the Birth-Through-Three Teacher’s Assistant with Thrive to Five, Community Action Partnership in Lancaster County, PA.   

Ayanna is passionate about the work of Bridge of Hope: “I believe in the work of Bridge of Hope because the organization embodies putting the word “unity” in the community. They give you the power to drop “less” off the feeling of being hopeless with their helping hands. With that, they build bridges of trust and compassion with their unwavering support and advocacy. I have had the privilege to be blessed by their stewardship of God’s work, and in turn, I’ve witnessed lives transformed through the grace and opportunities they provide. Their commitment to empowering families to break the cycle of homelessness is a testament to the incredible impact they have on the community.”  

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Anna Rodriguez

Sales Specialist for Westover Companies Sales

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.”  

 Anna is a living testimony of God’s grace and human resilience, overcoming homelessness with her children, and continuing to look for ways to care for others! She is extremely excited to be joining the board of Bridge of Hope Lancaster.   

 

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Stan Shantz

Interim Pastor for Mennonite Church 

Stan Shantz, MDiv, DMin is serving as interim pastor for a Mennonite Church.  He was born in Kitchener, Ontario and graduated from the University of Waterloo with degrees in Environmental Studies and Peace Studies.  But in the early 1980’s Stan moved to the United States to attend seminary.  Since then he has served churches in Indiana, Arizona and most recently in Lancaster, PA.   

At the end of 2023 he retired from pastoral ministry after forty plus years and has been working part-time at several jobs in the area.  He has served on a number of committees locally and nationally with the Mennonite Church and was a board member for the Lancaster County Food Hub.  Stan is married to Kathy Keener Shantz who is a Music Therapist at Hershey Medical Center and Masonic Village.  They have two daughters.  Kristi, their oldest, attended Arizona State University and now lives in Tempe, AZ.  Kayleena, his youngest daughter, is a graduate of Temple University and lives in Philadelphia.  Stan enjoys drinking coffee with friends, reading, fishing, hiking and camping.  He and his wife live in Lancaster, PA (Blossom Hill area).  Stan says, “Throughout my years in Lancaster I have seen and been involved with the work of Bridge of Hope.  Their mission serves a vital role in our community and I am passionate about supporting them during these challenging days in our country.” 

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Joan Gotwals Yoder- Bridge of Hope Lancaster Community Board Member

Joan Gotwals Yoder

Business Consultant

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.

She is married to Terry Yoder and they reside in Lancaster County.  Joan and Terry are the parents of two young adult children.

Joan has served on the board in various capacities with Bridge of Hope over the years, including nine years on the board of Bridge of Hope National and many years co-chairing the Gala Luncheon.  Joanie is passionate about caring for families facing homeless as well as nurturing and support the staff who make the mission of Bridge of Hope possible.

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