Our Staff
Edith Yoder
Chief Executive Officer EdithY@bridgeofhopeinc.orgEdith Yoder, EdM, is the Chief Executive Officer of Bridge of Hope National, which oversees the local work of Bridge of Hope in Lancaster. Edith also serves as chair of the community board for 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, Edith is more passionate than ever about building neighborhoods of support for families facing homelessness.
Linda Homer-Hurley
Lancaster/Chester County Development Director LindaHH@bridgeofhopeinc.orgLinda Homer-Hurley joined the staff of Bridge of Hope National as Event Coordinator in October 2019. She has a degree in Liberal Studies from West Chester University and spent years coordinating events at a liberal studies college and then at a social service nonprofit agency where she also worked in Advancement and Marketing. In addition, Linda has owned her own business as a Consultant and Director with The Pampered Chef for 26 years. She loves cooking and teaching others and believes that involving children and gathering around the table for mealtimes helps to strengthen family bonds.
Linda is excited to work at Bridge of Hope and to help share our mission with people both locally and throughout the country. As a single mother of three children, Linda understands first-hand the importance of helping mothers and their children who are struggling to make it through every day. “In the past I was the recipient of help from various people that included financial, physical and emotional support. All of these were crucial in helping me provide for my children and encouraging me to keep moving forward. The hope and desire for a better tomorrow was essential for me so I connect on a deep level with the mission and values of Bridge of Hope. We are truly helping families and investing in changing their lives—not just for today, but hopefully forever. I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to be here!”
Caitlyn Mellinger
Neighborhood Resource Specialist CaitlynM@bridgeofhopeinc.orgCaitlyn is a Neighborhood Resource Specialist with Bridge of Hope Lancaster. She graduated from Shippensburg University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and minor in Disability Studies. Caitlyn has four years of case management experience working with children in the foster care system and their families.
She believes that Bridge of Hope is the perfect fit for her, where her faith and career can intersect. Caitlyn is passionate about keeping families together and providing them with the support they need to succeed. She says, “The mission and values of Bridge of Hope can truly bring healing to people’s lives through ending homelessness and the power of neighboring relationships. We are called to love and serve our neighbors and I am so excited to work for an organization that puts that call to action!”
Lisa Mohler
Assistant Program Director LisaM@bridgeofhopeinc.orgLisa is the Assistant Program Director at Bridge of Hope Lancaster. She graduated from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor’s of Social Work degree. She has over 20 years of professional experience within Bridge of Hope and the child welfare system as a case manager, and personally as a foster/adoptive parent. Lisa says, “Bridge of Hope to me is about loving your neighbor and walking with people as they are the hands and feet of Jesus to families facing homelessness. The relationships that are formed are life changing for everyone. I am excited to see hope begin for so many families in our community through the work of Bridge of Hope.”
Lisa and her husband have 5 children and attend Hopewell Church. She enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and attending sporting events.
Caleb Simmers
Church Engagement and Housing Director CalebS@bridgeofhopeinc.orgCaleb Simmers serves as Lancaster Church Engagement and Housing Director. He has spent his career in church ministry, primarily youth and family ministry. Within that role he has worked in communities that required the church to play an active role in meeting social, financial, and cultural needs in the community. He has coordinated collaborative efforts among various churches to meet those needs. He is a networker, connector, and organizer. Caleb has a bachelor’s degree in Youth and Family Ministry from Champion Christian College and has served as Associate Pastor of Family and Student Ministries at Oaklawn Baptist Church in Winston Salem, North Carolina, from 2016-2022. Caleb and his wife Ashley live in the Lititz area.
Caleb says, “I believe in Bridge of Hope because it provides the church an accessible blueprint to be an active participant in solving the real crisis of homelessness, which is not simply shelter, but also community. Homelessness is one of the last stops on a long route of losing community. Bridge Hope provides the model for churches to be the answer to solving this need in their own neighborhood.”
Jessica Sisemore
Lancaster Program Director jessicas@bridgeofhopeinc.orgJessica Sisemore is the Lancaster Program Director. Most recently Jessica served as the Director of Parent Empowerment Program at the YWCA, working with at-risk families involved with Children and Youth.
After working with many families in her previous position and observing the many obstacles they face, Jessica is excited to be at Bridge of Hope and walk alongside families in tackling homelessness and working to build a community of support for families. Jessica holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Millersville University, with a minor in English. Jessica lives in Lancaster with her husband and daughter.