Supporting women who
need a second chance.

“… to be always more grateful, and somehow better and simpler in one’s contemplating, deeper in one’s belief in life, and in living happier and bigger.” Rainer Maria Rilke

Candace believes in living life “bigger,” and that includes practicing gratefulness alongside passions. If you believe in something, act on it yourself. When you turn around, you will see others are following you. Living life this way led Candace into social work and to adopt and raise 14 children alongside her 3 biological children. Eventually, she founded Brittany’s Hope Foundation and turned the reins over to her qualified and equally passionate daughter.

As a retiree, she became a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Lancaster County where she recognized a need for programs for young mothers involved in the foster care system. She founded Second Grace and Girl Crush Co, the body products company that supports Second Grace. Today she brings her passion and skills to the board alongside the many talented members who share a similar passion. To serve others in need is to live your life happier.

Kelsey Ashworth, Esq. is a family law attorney and former Dauphin County Deputy District Attorney who strives to share her compassion and love of learning with everyone she meets. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, she went on to obtain her law degree to give her a better platform from which she could help others. During her time as a Deputy District Attorney, she served as a member of both the Drug Court and Veteran’s Court teams where she learned the importance of providing guidance and support for those who want to change their lives for the better.

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

This old adage is near and dear to Kelsey’s heart. She believes that very few things bring as much satisfaction as obtaining new knowledge, mastering a new skill, or generally bettering oneself in some measurable way. She endeavors to constantly improve herself, and encourages others around her to do the same.

Kelsey firmly believes that you can judge a community by how the least fortunate amongst us are treated. As a Lancaster County native, Kelsey hopes to help local women through the mentorship and education of Second Grace, and in turn, elevate her community as a whole.

Carla has lived in Lancaster County since 1970. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their families and adopted pets that share their home.

Being an avid crafter, she enjoys her daily involvement with Girl Crush Company and the products they create. She has a unique background of business owner, service in the borough office, and a long history of volunteerism. She previously spent over five years on the board of a local non-profit animal rescue and served as the Treasurer while involved in every aspect of the organization. Currently, she serves a volunteer for Leo’s Helping Paws.

Carla is very excited to share the unique vision that Second Grace embraces, along with the guidance, education and friendship that will be offered to the women participating in the program. She brings her unique combination of organization, leadership and tech skills to her new role as secretary of Second Grace.

I believe in the power and strength of the human spirit and families. I have committed myself to working with families, addiction, and mental health conditions my entire career. I know that feeling safe, respected, cared for, and having a vision for how one wants to see their future is key to being healthy and whole. I also believe in the power of community and connectivity because those two things help transform lives and break the isolation many involved in the Child Welfare System feel.

Second Grace is committed to transforming lives and families. It is with excitement and passion that I have committed my time, energy and creativity to this Program and the woman and families it seeks to empower and transform. I do not choose to look at the negative in life or circumstances, but rather all the possibilities.

Anne Frank speaks to my heart and beliefs when she said,“I don’t think of all the misery but of all the beauty that remains.”

There is beauty, hope, and potential in all people and situations. It is my personal hope, and the mission of Second Grace, to transform the lives of woman and families.

Deborah Wilson Gadsden, LSW, MSW, is a 46-year veteran of the child welfare workforce. She has worked in a number of progressively responsible positions. She is a Training Specialist at Family Design Resources, Inc. where she provides leadership in creating and delivering training as well as developing staff as trainers. She provides training and consultation in school and workplace bullying prevention. She is a licensed Social Worker, holds a Master of Social Work degree from Temple University and a Master of Human Services degree from Lincoln University. When she is not working, she enjoys needle crafts, reading and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her interest in Second Grace stems from her long-term commitment to children and families of the child welfare system being treated with social and racial equity.

Theresa Baker, LCSW, is an outpatient therapist specializing in trauma recovery. Her history of social work service includes child welfare, maternal and child health, and a range of health care and geriatric settings. As a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Theresa became aware of the deep psychosocial and financial challenges faced by young mothers with children placed in foster care, and Second Grace as a source of support and empowerment for these mothers and families.

Theresa also serves on the Lancaster Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and as an advisor/advocate for organizations serving the mental health needs of Veterans and First Responders.

Dawn was born and raised in rural Lancaster County.  She has always had a heart for helping others.  Dawn has a Master’s degree in Social work from Temple University.  She has worked at Penn Medicine, Lancaster General with the Healthy Beginnings Plus program for 25 years.  In her role, she has the opportunity to empower pregnant and parenting women.  Dawn has a passion for women and children’s health.  As a leader in her role, Dawn provides strengths-based supervision by helping her staff identify the psychosocial needs within the family and break down their barriers to care.  Dawn is a member of the Lancaster County Domestic Violence Advocacy committee.

Outside of work, Dawn enjoys life with her husband, two teenagers, and two dogs.  Dawn is a K-Pets therapy dog handler and loves to see the smiles that animals can bring to people of all ages.  Dawn loves to travel, especially if there is a beach and sunshine at her destination.

Dawn is excited to be involved with Second Grace because of the ability to see lives transformed by compassion, empowerment, and positive influence.

After graduation, Jessica spent two years with AmeriCorps*NCCC before beginning her career with CASA when she was first hired as a Case Supervisor at CASA of Atlantic and Cape May Counties in NJ and during the next few years grew within the program to become the Training and Outreach Coordinator. In the fall of 2009, Jessica became the first Executive Director of CASA of Lancaster County in Pennsylvania, continuing in that role today, she says she continues to feel privileged work with organization and the incredible volunteers who comprise the heart of CASA. Jessica holds certifications in case management, non-profit leadership, and training design and facilitation. In addition, Jessica’s commitment to her community extends beyond CASA, she served two terms on the YWCA Board of Directors and served on the Lancaster County Coalition to End Homelessness Leadership Council. Outside of work, Jessica’s interests include spending time with her family, reading, hiking, and pretending to know how to garden. Jessica is honored to serve on the steering committee to help bring Second Grace to fruition. She says, “When I look back, I was lucky to have not only my mom but so many strong women influence my life and mentor me at various stages. To be part of an organization that can offer that sort of valuable relationship to a young mom is truly a privilege.”

I have always loved being a part of the start of life. Being a maternal child health nurse for over 40 years, I have met many mothers and babies. The one thing I have found all mothers want is to have a healthy happy child who is successful in life. My goal in every job I have had as a lactation consultant, childbirth educator, parent educator and manager is to help mothers achieve this goal. I have worked with Nurse Family Partnership for the past 18 years and through this program have watched many women achieve many successful outcomes related to education, fulfilling employment and healing from traumatic events. I believe in my heart that we all need support to become the best person we can be. I am so excited to be part of Second Grace where I can have a role in helping to grow and support healthy women and mothers. I received so much support as a mother to my 3 daughters, I needed the support of other women to learn how to be a good mother. I now am a grandmother of 7 beautiful grandchildren and am still learning every day!