Joanne C. Foster
Executive Director
jfoster@hopegardner.org
Ms. Foster, a Lancaster resident, joined HOPE in July 2008. She holds an M.B.A in Social Policy from Brandeis University and a B.A. in Foreign Affairs/Community Studies from Assumption College.
To HOPE, she brings a great deal of nonprofit and public service experience having served as Interim Executive Director at Worcester Common Ground, Chair of the Lancaster Board of Selectman, and Co-Executive Director of the Oak Hill Community Development Corporation in Worcester.
As a consultant to the Conquer Cancer Coalition of Massachusetts in Newton and Coordinator of the Institute for Nonprofit Development at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, Ms. Foster facilitated the planning process and contributed to the development of those growing organizations.
She has also worked in various capacities with the Twin Cities CDC, Allston/Brighton CDC, Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, and Worcester Community Connections Coalition.
She is active in her community, has served on several boards, maintains memberships and volunteers in a number of organizations.

Andrea Hinckley
Operations and Office Manager
ahinckley@hopegardner.org
Ms. Hinckley earned a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education at Fitchburg State College and has over 20 years experience in the field of human services. After her position of 13 years at the Templeton Developmental Center was eliminated, she attended and graduated from the HOPE for Women program and has been working at HOPE since 2004.
She resides with her husband in Phillipston and enjoys organic gardening, raising poultry, spoiling their dog, Ricky, and takes active interest in holistic living.

Mary Roth
Program Director, HOPE for Women
mroth@hopegardner.org
Ms. Roth, a certified teacher, holds a Bachelor of Arts in English degree and is currently working toward earning a Master’s degree. She has been with HOPE since 2002. She has experience working with nontraditional students at Mount Wachusett Community College as professional tutor in the Visions Student Support program.
The mother and stepmother of three, she resides with her family in Gardner. Ms. Roth is active in her faith community at Redemption Rock Church and enjoys cooking in her free time.

Margaret Donahue-Lynch
Computer Instructor, HOPE for Women
mdonahue@hopegardner.org
Ms. Donahue-Lynch started teaching computer classes at HOPE in January 2006. She studied philosophy as an undergraduate prior to becoming Assistant Network Manager for Fort Devens' 500-station computer network.
Mother of one son and grandmother of two girls, she resides in Townsend. In her spare time, she pilots her private plane and is an avid gardener and cook.

Cindy White
Computer Instructor, HOPE for Women
cwhite@hopegardner.org
Ms. White, a resident of Phillipston, has an Associate’s Degree in Computer Graphic Design and a Certificate in Web Design from Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC). She serves as Technology Coordinator at MWCC and runs her own freelance graphic and web design business. She has been teaching evening computer classes at HOPE since 2008.

Ava Jason
Academic Director, HOPE for Kids
ajason@hopegardner.org
Ava Jason began her work at HOPE as Academic Director for the HOPE for Kids program in the fall of 2000. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary and Special Education from Fitchburg State in 1971, and continued her education, receiving a Master’s Degree with a specialty in Special Education in 1974.
Ms. Jason taught for 10 years in the North Middlesex School District where she became a Master Teacher whose job it was to implement the expansion of the special education department for various grade levels. Following her teaching experience, she embarked on a second career as an entrepreneur owner of a bakery/restaurant.
She currently resides in the town of Ashby, where she enjoys walking, yoga, baking and foreign films. Ms. Jason is part of a spiritual community whose spirit incorporates the peace-orientation of Buddhism.

Paula MacKenzie
Head Housekeeper and Clerical Assistant
Paula MacKenzie began work at HOPE in 2005, bringing experience as proprietor of her own cleaning business. She also had run her own daycare and served for six years as Pressroom and Stockroom Clerk at Simplex Time Recorder. Her range of experience makes her ideal for a position requiring flexibility in a small but growing organization like HOPE. She resides in Gardner with her husband and teenage son and is the mother of an adult daughter. Her interests include web design and graphics, digital photography, gardening and crafts.

Frances Longton
Program Director, HOPE for Kids
flongton@hopegardner.org
Ms. Longton has been with HOPE since 2006. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts, has staff experience in human services, 20 years of varied administrative and management experience in the for-profit sector, and is a small business owner.
She resides in Gardner and is the stepmother of adult children and a grandmother. When not at HOPE she runs her interior design business. Spare time finds her in the kitchen producing delicacies of all kinds. Ms. Longton is active in the Faith Lutheran Church in Gardner.

John Mickola
Teen HOPE Coordinator, HOPE for Kids
jmickola@hopegardner.org
Mr. Mickola, a retired teacher and guidance counselor, has been with HOPE since 2005. He holds a Master’s degree plus 45 credits beyond in English and Guidance.
He resides in Ashby where he runs a small farm, serves as chairman of the Ashby board of library trustees and agricultural committee, and is a long time member of the Ashby Grange. Mr. Mickola is the father and stepfather of five adult children and grandfather of five.

Naomi Charest
Lead Program Coordinator, Pals on-site mentoring, HOPE for Kids
ncharest@hopegardner.org
Ms. Charest who holds an Associate’s degree in Youth Recreation, Bachelor’s degree in Human Services has been with HOPE since 2001. She has over 20 years experience leading groups for children who have witnessed or experienced violence.
She is also employed by another nonprofit agency where she leads groups for children at risk and serves on the board of third North Central Mass. nonprofit organization. Ms. Charest is the mother of two daughters, resides in Templeton and enjoys weightlifting in her spare time.

Laura Beauregard
Program Coordinator, Pals on-site mentoring, HOPE for Kids
lbeauregard@hopegardner.org
Ms. Beauregard has been with HOPE since the summer of 2004. She holds an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and is Massachusetts certified in early childhood, family literacy, and as a childcare provider.
In addition to her position at HOPE, she runs a full-time family daycare in Gardner, is mother to two adult children, and is an active member of Redemption Rock Church.

Jena Hardy
Summer Coordinator, Teen HOPE, HOPE for Kids
jhardy@hopegardner.org
Ms. Hardy earned an Associate’s degree in General Studies from Mount Wachusett Community College and is a part-time student at Fitchburg State College. In addition to her position at HOPE, she is the Youth Coordinator at Faith Lutheran Church in Gardner and has worked with special needs children at a Worcester County nonprofit organization. She has been a motivational speaker for youth programs at Mount Wachusett Community College.
A Winchendon resident, she first joined the HOPE staff in 2004 as HOPE for Kids Program Director, leaving in 2006 to continue her studies. She returned to the HOPE summer staff in 2007.

Robin Morrison Harper
Program Director, HOPEful Families
rmorrison@hopegardner.org
Ms. Morrison Harper, with HOPE since 2006, holds a Master of Education degree in Guidance and Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. She has done post-graduate work in special education and is experienced in group leadership, program implementation and education.
Residing in Sterling she is the mother of four who brings her skills as a parent as well as her professional skills to her work. She is active in the Federated Church in Sterling and devotes her spare time to creating fabric art.

Elizabeth Reiser
Van Driver
ereiser@hopegardner.org
Ms. Reiser, a Gardner resident, has been a student at Mount Wachusett Community College and served for many years as a volunteer in HOPE for Kids programs. She is the parent on one child and brings her great understanding to her interaction with HOPE youngsters.