I have a deep appreciation of the spring season. Spring represents transformation and is a reminder of how beautiful change can be.  Outside of providing shelter to women, and women with children, who are experiencing homelessness, Bethany House is innovative in the realm of services we provide to our guests.  The mission of the programs we offer and the staff we employ is to provide guests access to resources which will result in their transformation towards stability. We have the most amazing staff, volunteers, and board members that I get to work with every day.  But every once in a while, I get to connect and work with someone who is absolutely extraordinary in inspiring transformation and Linda Lassiter is one of those people. 

Linda is a committed Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has compassionately served others for more than 50 years in both nonprofit and public sector agencies. Throughout her career she has helped people to heal, those from all walks of life, who have been impacted by poverty, domestic violence, human trafficking, intergenerational trauma, racism, abuse and homelessness.

In addition to being an extraordinary social worker, Linda is also an amazing advocate.  She is always looking out for that person who has been overlooked by others and ensures that they get the care, services or support that they need.  Her commitment to advocacy has also led her to open many doors for those who would follow her. Linda was one of the first women of color certified as an HIV/AIDS Counselor in Nassau County, and she served on the Nassau County HIV/AIDS Commission. She was instrumental in launching the first Youth HIV/AIDS Conference on Long Island, drawing 225 young people to the conference. The Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County, Inc. recognized Linda’s work and advocacy when they presented her with the ‘Phenomenal Woman of the Year” award.

For over 15 years, Linda has served the women, and women with children, experiencing homelessness who turn to Bethany House in their time of need. She initially came to Bethany House to cook meals for our guests on the weekends while she was still working full time as a clinical social worker. And cook she did! She cooked like it was Thanksgiving every Sunday. No one skipped a meal when Linda cooked. The meals that Linda lovingly prepared were more than an opportunity to eat; they were a chance to gather, talk . . . a time to heal.

When Linda retired from her full-time work with emotionally challenged young people and their families, she joined the Bethany House staff. At Bethany House Linda began supervising, developing and supporting Bethany House staff, volunteers and student interns. She now serves as our Director of Social Services. She is our most trusted advisor.  She is deeply appreciated and loved by each and every Bethany House staff member, intern and volunteer. Linda exudes love, joy, compassion and appreciation.

It was my distinct honor and privilege to present the Bethany House Person of Compassion Award to Linda Lassiter at this year’s 19th Annual Fashion Show Fundraiser.  

Linda ends every staff and committee meeting she attends at Bethany House the same way. She simply smiles and warmly states, “Thanks for all you do.”

Now it’s our turn to say to Linda, “Thanks for all you do!”

From our home to yours, 

Doug O’Dell

Executive Director

I have had a lifelong fascination with Mandala artwork.  A Mandala is a circular depiction used to focus attention on the center, on the object or the symbol that is most important. Mandala art is found in almost every culture and religious tradition.  I believe that the Mandala, in its highest form, can be more than visual art, it can be an idea. The idea that we all need to put aside our small differences, and focus on the things in the center of our lives that are most important.  Bethany House embodies this idea- it is a place where people can put aside their differences, and come together to work for the greater good.

Bethany House is a place where people from all walks of life come together to successfully move homeless women, and women with children, from uncertainty to sustainability, two generations at a time. In these trying times, while people find so much to disagree about, Bethany House provides a space in which people of all ages, from all sides of the political spectrum, and from every religious tradition, can come together to support homeless women and children in their time of critical need.

At Bethany House, our board members, staff, volunteers and supporters come from varying backgrounds, and as such, have many differences of opinion.  But there is one thing we all agree on: Bethany House is a place where we can come together, and focus on what is most important–the wellbeing of the homeless women and children we provide for. It is through our collective work, and the relationships we have built with the women and children we serve, that we have found the place where we are all truly fulfilled.

Why do we do it?  In the words of Jean Vanier, “By including the excluded, we are all made whole.“

So, we ask that you join our extended family at Bethany House, and work alongside us for the greater good. By helping the homeless women, and women with children, that come to us in their time of greatest need, you too will find joy, meaning and gratification.

All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Baldwin, NY

 We are indebted to our many thoughtful, generous and action-oriented community partners who support the work of Bethany House. This month we are featuring a long-term supporter, located around the corner from our Baldwin, NY residence, All Saints’ Episcopal Church. The parishioners of All Saints have been providing food, school supplies and other needed items to the women and children residing in all of the Bethany House emergency homes for many years. Some of our guests attend services at All Saints.

       Most recently, in the month of August, the church held a food and school supplies drive to benefit both Bethany House and another community organization. Recently, the Reverend Maxine Barnett and parishioner Terri Mangum, pictured in the photos below, toured Bethany South with Doug O’Dell, Executive Director, and Penny Shea, Residential Director of Bethany South. We learned that both of these dynamic women are former educators, and that Terri is the former principal of an elementary school in Uniondale.

       Under their leadership, All Saints staff and volunteers have been involved in conversations with Bethany House over the past two months to explore how our two organizations can work together most effectively to address the needs of the women and children at Bethany House. Mother Maxine and Terri will be working with the parishioners to bring mentoring and tutoring services for both adults and children to Bethany South this fall. We look forward to further expanding our relationship with Mother Maxine, Terri, and the parishioners at All Saints’ Episcopal Church. We are so grateful for their continued support.

Reverend Maxine Barnett and Terri Magnum with Penny Shea and Doug O’Dell

After audit, Bethany House looks to the future