Megan Cohen
Founder/ President
Madyson Thompson
Treasurer
My name is Madyson Thompson and I am the executive assistant/treasurer for Grace Project. Since joining the volunteers out in our Kensington outreach program back in 2021, my role has consistently evolved with our team. My reason for joining the team was wanting to get more connected with the substance use community due to being in graduate school for my masters in addiction counseling. My involvement in the field stems from losing my dad to his addiction and wanting to help make a difference so not all families would have to go through the pain and suffering that comes with losing a loved one. Today I am a primary therapist in the field, and continue to love my role with Grace Project.
Jennifer Dascher
Secretary
Jocelyn Cohen
Member
Tieraney Simmons
Member
Michael Zornburg
Member
Michael Zornberg, originally from Long Island, New York, is an individual who has first hand experience battling the disease of addiction. With accolades unlike most, Michael brings his expertise in operational management to The Grace Project. With unwavering dedication to his own sobriety, he has found that the best way to excel in life is to always help those in need find their voice. Michael takes pride in community relations, which has led him to sitting on the Board of Directors for two accredited non-profit organizations and various participation with other philanthropic initiatives.
Lisa Gentry
Member
Lisa has been involved with the Grace Project since the summer of 2022 and is passionate about our Kensington outreach. She works in the private sector as the Chief Compliance Officer for an investment advisory firm in the Philadelphia area. Lisa is the proud mom of two children and one grandchild.
Gina Hooper
Member
In the depths of my struggles, I was lost amidst the tumultuous currents of substance abuse, a journey marked by 19 felony convictions and 89 misdemeanor convictions. Each stumble seemed to deepen the abyss that consumed me, leaving me grappling with despair and uncertainty.
Yet, amid the chaos, on April 20, 2013, a flicker of hope ignited within me. It was a spark fueled by a desire for redemption, a longing to break free from the chains that bound me to my past. With trembling hands and a heart heavy with doubt, I took my first tentative steps towards a different path.
My journey began with humble beginnings, marked by the stark realization that I didn't even know how to navigate a computer. But with unwavering determination, I embarked on a quest for knowledge, driven by an insatiable thirst for change. I pursued an associate degree in science, focusing on addiction studies, delving into the intricate web of substance abuse and its impact on individuals and communities.
With each milestone achieved, I felt the tendrils of hope tightening their grip around me, guiding me towards a brighter future. I pursued a bachelor's degree in social work, immersing myself in the complexities of human behavior and societal structures. It was a journey of self-discovery, as I unearthed the depths of empathy within me, forging connections with those who walked similar paths of struggle.
But my thirst for knowledge and my commitment to serving others knew no bounds. I pursued a master's degree in social work, honing my skills as a catalyst for change, advocating for those whose voices were often drowned out by society's indifference. It was a journey fraught with challenges, yet each hurdle only served to strengthen my resolve.
And still, I yearned for more. Fueled by a desire to enact systemic change, I pursued another master's degree, this time in business administration with a concentration in healthcare management. It was a testament to my belief in the power of education as a force for transformation, as I sought to bridge the gap between policy and practice, forging new pathways towards holistic healing.
Today, as I reflect on the winding path that led me here, I am filled with gratitude for the journey, however arduous it may have been. For it was in the crucible of adversity that I discovered my true calling – to lend a guiding hand to those lost in the throes of addiction, to serve as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness.
My past may be marked by shadows and scars, but it is also a testament to resilience and redemption. And now, armed with the knowledge and experience garnered along the way, I stand ready to repay my debt to society, to pay forward the gifts of grace and second chances that were bestowed upon me. For I believe that true healing lies not only in the redemption of the individual, but in the collective efforts of a community committed to lifting each other up, one soul at a time, where there is hope to be had with every breath of life that exists.