Current Members
(Eleventh Year: 2009-2010)
Jaimee Hamilton
Hello! My name is Jaimee Hamilton. I grew up in Erie, Pa.—home of lots of snow. I’m happy to be in a little warmer place this year! I graduated in 2002 from Penn State University in State College, Pa. as a kinesiology major with a concentration of health and physical education. This year finds me serving with the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh where I am a direct care professional serving adults with developmental disabilities. One thing I am looking forward to this year is making meaningful relationships with others. We all need each other to make this world go ‘round!
Kyle Johnson
My name is Kyle Johnson. I’m from Arlington Heights, Ill. I graduated in 2009 from Grove City College in Grove City, Pa. with a degree in psychology and minors in religion and family studies. I serve with the Catholic Youth Association’s Stephen Foster Community Center in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood. Although we are called the Catholic Youth Association, most of our current work is with senior adults in the area. My responsibilities, thus far, have included delivering Meals on Wheels, calling Bingo numbers, dominating the Wii bowling league, developing programs and some marketing/advertising.
Laura McGee
My name is Laura McGee, and I am originally from Mechanicsburg, Pa. Recently, I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in both sociology and religious studies. My service placement this year is at Goodwill of southwestern Pennsylvania, where I am teaching English as a second language (ESL). My students come from all over the world, and the classes offered vary from beginner level to advanced students. Through this year of service, I am most looking forward to growing professionally as well as developing in my faith with encouragement and prayers of some fabulous community members along the way!
Diana Pascoe
I am Diana Pascoe. I grew up in N.H. and attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa. receiving a bachelor’s degree in decision science and a minor in chemistry. This year with Change a Heart, I am serving with the Bethlehem Haven SOAR program, which is permanent housing for women with a history of homelessness and mental illness. Everyone has different gifts from God. The understanding of the Christian is that these gifts are to be used to serve our neighbor. I have a special compassion for those in poverty and look forward to serving with others this year.
Jackie Pyrdek
Salutations! I am Jackie Pyrdek, a
new member of the Change A Heart
program. Home for me is the small
town of Conneaut Lake, Pa., but I
graduated from Mercyhurst College
in Erie, Pa. this past spring with my
elementary and early childhood education degrees. I am thrilled
to be putting my teaching certifications to good use this year as
a classroom teacher at Angels’ Place, a total family development
program for single, low-income, full-time student parents and
their children. At Angels’ Place, my love of laughter and humor
is well fed as I explore the world through the wondering eyes of
my young students. I could not ask for a more exciting start to
my year of service!
Christina Sensabaugh
I am Christina Sensabaugh from Cumberland,
Md., a historic city tucked in
beautiful mountains. My family situation
is unique; I have four parents,
five sets of grandparents and I am
the eldest, youngest, middle and only
child. I have attended Catholic school since I was two years old,
beginning with St. John Neumann Early Childhood center and
finishing with the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.
I was an arts and letters pre-professional political science major.
I hope to attend medical school in the fall 2010. This year, I am
serving with the Catholic Charities Free Health Care Center as
an administrative assistant. This position covers a multitude of
tasks, duties and challenges. I find that I am able to aid our wonderful
patients in a variety of ways, and I look forward to being
at the center each day.
Amanda Smolenski
My name is Amanda Smolenski. You may remember me from last year! I’m the first person to serve a second year in the Change a Heart program. I’m from Marietta, Ohio, but I’m originally from Greensburg, Pa. I went to Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio where I graduated in December of 2007 with a degree in history. This year, I’m serving at Bethlehem Haven with their Step Up program and emergency shelter, a transitional housing program for homeless women. I look forward to learning something new about myself and to continue seeking what God is calling me to do.