Lancaster Connects

Ross Stockdale is a Lancaster county native and graduate of Warwick High School and Elizabethtown College. Ross has spent the last decade in the digital marketing industry and since 2019 has transitioned into the private equity industry. Ross is a co-founder of Perpetual Equity Group, a Lancaster based private equity firm seeking to preserve, enrich and grow their investors, assets, and community....

ECHOS purpose is to empower families and­­­ individuals experiencing housing instability and insufficient income in the Northwest Region of Lancaster County. Their mission is to mobilize communities to provide services that prevent and alleviate poverty and empower stability in our neighbors. Brie started her leadership at ECHOS as the Executive Director in March 2021. She began her professional e...

Join Ben and Jeff as they share updates about their recent Gardner’s Give Back initiative, their 7 Step Promise, and their upcoming Memorial Day Savings Event! They’ll also discuss the  Lancaster Newspaper Readers Choice Award voting where they’re going for a 13th straight win for “Favorite Mattress Store” category.  Ben and Jeff were also featured on WGAL News where they discuss why it’s importan...

In this episode, we will be joining with Dawn Tluczek who is the Donor & Church Liaison & Event Manager for Bethany Christian Services, along with Charlotte Guerin who is the Refugee Resettlement Site Supervisor. This will focus on the Ukraine crisis as they discuss how Bethany will provide support for refugees and their needs.  Bethany Christian Services is a global nonprofit that support...

At A Week Away, we coordinate and finance respite weeks for families who are battling a life-threatening illness, with the goal of providing them the hope they need to continue their fight. When you get away, you get to feel normal. — Caleb Walker, Founder Caleb was Lynn Walker’s son. He passed away in December of 2014 knowing that he had successfully established his foundation with the help of ve...

Jon, Chad, and Ralph, best friends since high school, started ModernEYES Optical 15 years ago as a kiosk at Park City Mall selling stylish eyewear. They grew the business in many creative ways including allowing their customers to host home eyewear parties, partnering with local school districts to increase business and being able to help kids in need of eye exams and glasses but can't afford them...

Diana Vuolo is the Founder/Executive Director of SWAN4kids. She received a full-tuition scholarship to study violin with world-renowned teacher Dorothy DeLay at The Philadelphia College of Performing Arts (PCPA). She earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance and was a masterclass performer for Miss DeLay at PCPA and the Aspen Music Festival.  Her performance career began with a chamb...

You won’t want to miss this very special episode of Lancaster Connects, Join Ben & Jeff as they discuss how Gardner’s Mattress & More will be giving everyone an opportunity to make more of an impact to the Lancaster Community. This includes the new roll out of their Gardner’s Gives back initiative: Round Up, Help Out. A great way for both you and Gardner’s Mattress and More can work togeth...

Steve is the owner/Chief People Builder of the Goble Group, a talent and leadership development organization serving businesses, non-profits, and teams in Central PA and surrounding areas. He is passionate about helping people grow and solve problems. As an author, a Founding Partner of the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team, a Certified Coach, and a Certified Human Behavior Consultant, Steve was a...

In 2014, Kapp and Linda Brown took a big step to follow their dream. They entered in to the world of entrepreneurship. Kapp’s desire to serve others and continue learning and growing led him to partner with The Master’s Touch (Glendale Arizona). TMT was one of the largest non-franchise training companies in the world. They personally set up over 1500 people in business for themselves all over the...

Dr. Keith Floyd is the founder and President of iNVISION Group Leadership Services Group. Founded in 2013, iNVISION Group LSG LLC is a full-service leadership development consultancy focused on the areas of coaching, training, planning, and analytics and services clients both regionally and nationally. Dr. Floyd and iNVISION Group works largely in the professional services space (attorneys, accoun...

From residential and commercial painting projects to the most elaborate, beautiful murals, Two Dudes is committed to taking the time and care needed to ensure each customer achieves their vision. They aim to inspire and enhance the lives of their employees, clients, and their community. This commitment to excellence has shaped and molded the company into a business that significantly values what t...

Kisses For EB is a non-profit created in 2017 after Kiba was born in 2015. EB is short for epidermolysis bullosa: a very rare genetic disorder that affects about 200 births yearly worldwide. EB individuals are missing the protein in their skin layers to keep their layers together. any sort of friction can cause blisters and wounds, there is no known cure and only pain management and wound care, EB...

Mark Pontz has spent nearly three decades helping folks finance their dream homes. As a senior loan officer at loanDepot, he has earned the honor of Chairman’s Elite for each full year that he’s been with the company. Born and raised in Lancaster County, his love of the city’s unique food, music, art, and culture led him to create Fine Living Lancaster magazine. For 15 years, he has served as the...

As a nationally award-winning Licensed Massage Therapist, Rachel Benbow’s understanding of anatomy and physiology enable her to clearly instruct her Gokhale Method students with an understanding of how their muscles and bones work to realign​ their posture. As a CranioSacral Therapist, Rachel also recognizes that our minds and our bodies are not separate, but are actually a unified whole. She unde...

Lancaster Downtowners is a village-model non-profit that connects people who have chosen to age-in-community in the City of Lancaster. Founded in 2008, the organization provides social, educational & wellness programs; volunteer support for day-to-day tasks; and information and recommendations when other resources are required. A member of the national Village to Village Network, the Lancaster...

Casey Ellis recently joined Ephrata Area Social Services as the new Executive Director. Even though she is fresh in her position, she is excited to share the mission of EASS with the community. She has been overwhelmed and humbled by the staff, volunteers, and community that rallies around EASS and the clients served. She has learned quickly it really is about neighbors helping neighbors.

The Lancaster Recreation Commission (Lancaster Rec) is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency formed by a partnership agreement between the City of Lancaster, School District of Lancaster and Lancaster Township. Our administrative offices are located at the Lancaster Recreation Center. Operating since 1909, we provide neighborhood-based recreation and learning opportunities for all ages – with an emphasis on...

Rod Redcay is the Executive Director of Real Life Community Services. which began in 2010 as an outreach service project. Later, in 2015, they changed their name to REAL Life Community Services to better represent the resources they provide to the Cocalico region. REAL's mission is to do everything possible to connect the community to hope through partnerships, collaborations, and building relatio...

We're joined by Risa Paskoff and Kate Mullen of Aaron's Acres, which seeks to provide all children and young adults with disabilities opportunities to participate in the most innovative and unique social and recreational programs in an atmosphere of acceptance that embraces the child and family. They provide individuals with disabilities ages 5-21 year-round therapeutically based age-appropriate r...

We're happy to have Anne Williams & Sarita Rivera of Lancaster City Alliance on the show!  Lancaster City Alliance is a non-profit that promotes City growth and stability so that Lancaster City flourishes and everyone shares in its success. They are here to listen, collaborate, and connect organizations so the City succeeds.

Brad Peterson is the Executive Director of Power Packs Project, a non-profit 501(c)(3) that aims to improve the mental and physical health of children by helping their parents provide nutritious meals over weekends when school breakfast and lunch programs are unavailable to them.  PPP is in 45 schools in 13 school districts in Lancaster and 3 school districts in Lebanon. They have over 500 volunte...

Lena Hohenadel is with Off the Streets, which helps families and individuals in Lancaster, PA get “off the streets” and into permanent housing.  They fill critical missing pieces to transition those who are homeless into housing. They also work with local service agencies to identify those who need help and then they provide: - Security deposit sent directly to the landlord - Basic furnishings and...

Jenn Knepper is the organizer of the Lancaster Gifts That Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair which is taking place: Sunday December 12 from 10am-3pm Farm & Home Center 1383 Arcadia Road LANCASTER, PA 17601 At this amazing event you can purchase meaning-filled gifts for everyone on your shopping list!! This Gift Fair features alternative gifts, fair trade, social enterprise, food trucks and more....

Based in Lancaster PA, but delivering worldwide, BigPlanetApparel has been owned and operated by Christian Newcomer since its inception in 2009. While they are proud to be local to Lancaster, PA and primarily serve businesses and organizations in Lancaster County with their custom t-shirts needs, they also work with many people on the other side of the country or even the other side of the globe....