Mental Health America

Mary Steffy
» Executive Director
» Email: steffym@mhalancaster.org

Mary has been the Executive Director of Mental Health America of Lancaster County since 1984. Prior to this position, she was the Administrative Assistant/Executive Secretary for MHALC from 1981-1983. She also served as a member of the MHALC Board of Directors from 1978-1981. Additionally, Mary is a Member of the Youth Intervention Center Board of Managers, and since 2004 she has been a member of the Quality Improvement Council of the Lancaster County Office of Mental Health/Mental Retardation/Early Intervention.

Mary was appointed to the Mental Health Court Planning Group and serves on the Crisis Intervention Team Training Committee. In 2008, she finished 15 years on the Philhaven Hospital Performance Improvement Committee, having previously served as a member of the Board of Directors. She is a Teacher/Facilitator of Understanding and Resolving Anger classes for 400 to 700 persons annually.

Mary attended Messiah College and is a Manheim Central High School graduate, class of 1964. She is married, mother of two, and has six grandchildren.

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Gretchen Gaudioso
» Client/Family Advocate
» Email: gretchen@mhalancaster.org

Gretchen has been on staff at Mental Health America of Lancaster County for the past 13 years. Gretchen graduated with her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from West Virginia University (Let's Gooo Mountaineers).

The favorite part of her job is speaking to the high school students, running support groups, hanging with Alpha club members, working with parents of children with mental illness, working with individuals with mental illness, speaking in the senior centers, and planning parties and events, so pretty much all of it.

Gretchen loves that no two days are the same and each day she learns so much from all of the amazing individuals that she works with, people that work so hard for on their recovery.

Gretchen has two dogs that she love like kids, Newt and Logan. She enjoys going golfing, playing racquetball, and rooting for Philly sports teams. GO Phillies, Flyers, and Eagles!

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Rene Fox
» Administrative Assistant
» Email: mha@mhalancaster.org

Rene began her employment with MHALC in January 2001. She is excited to celebrate her 10th anniversary with the agency. She enjoys working with MHALC Board members, staff, and volunteers. She has fun coordinating office volunteers, mailings, the MHALC quarterly newsletter “The Beacon”, assisting with fundraising and special events, especially the MHALC Annual Holiday Gift Project.

Rene is a PA Licensed Cosmetologist, with a background in Horticulture and a love of nature. She received her certification as an Administrative Assistant from Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, Willow Street.

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Julie Armold
» Peer Educator

Julie has been with MHA since October 2006 as the Peer Education. Julie goes to the local hospitals weekly to share her story of recovery to help educate those with mental illness. Julie has been in recovery for many years and understands the highs and lows of bipolar disorder.  Some of Julie’s roles are to speak with high school students with Gretchen.  The Gretchen –Julie show as they call it is one of her favorite parts of the job.  She also does many trainings and public speaking in a variety of settings. Julie is very open about her illness and will also meet with people one on one to discuss a recovery plan or to just share her story. Many consumers find it very helpful to speak to someone who lives with mental illnes.

Julie is married to Alan for 20 years, they have two beautiful sons. Michael is a United States Marine (oorah) Brian is becoming a diesel mechanic and is enrolled in Lancaster County Career and Technology.Julie has worked in social services since 1987 with experiences as a domestic violence counselor,drug and alcohol counselor as well as worked with the homeless population.  Julie as was an EMT for three years, she has a diploma in photography and is MHA’s on board photographer.

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