Benevilla leadership and staff extend a warm welcome to their new 2022 Board of Directors and a sincere thank you to their 2021 Board of Directors who successfully navigated the challenges of last year including those brought on by the continued COVID-19 pandemic. “It was an interesting year of constantly adapting and finding ways to restructure our programs and services to continue servicing the community,” states Joanne Thomson, Benevilla President and CEO. “The leadership and direction of our Board has been extraordinary.”
Benevilla was created as a not-for-profit organization in 1981 by citizens of the Sun Cities area out of concern local health and wellness services were not readily available to the community’s residents. Their mission was to promote health and independence by providing supportive services to their neighbors.
Then, a group of 30 volunteers helping with errands and home care services and a handful of employees; today, a network of Life Enrichment Day Programs, numerous support and educational services, daycare & preschool, comprehensive care-management programs, and social activities – all directed by a caring, dedicated, and innovative Board of Directors continuing to keep Benevilla relevant and a critically important resource in the Northwest Valley.
The 2022 Benevilla Board of Directors include Shannon Arriola (Board Chair), Pastor Kim Sterner (Board Vice Chair), Brian Laurie (Board Secretary), Mike Zongolowicz (Board Treasurer), Birt Kellam, Dawn Tompkins, Dr. Richard Stuckey, Erica Dorward, Joe DeBlasi, John Bridgford, Larry Vering, Lora Johnson, Merlyn Carlson and Oana Constantinescu. Benevilla thanks the following Board Members who termed off the Benevilla Board at the end of 2021 for their service and dedication to the agency and the community – Arlene Dixson, Harriet Doolittle, and Gary Frisch.
Throughout 2021, the Benevilla Board of Directors served over 800 hours in service to the success of the agency and to the people we help. While many also juggled personally and professional hurdles over the year, the dedication of the Benevilla Board always rose to the occasion when help was needed.
Started by the community and for the community in 1981, Benevilla is a not-for-profit family services agency dedicated to enriching the lives of West Valley residents by providing care services for older adults, adults with disabilities, children, and families. For more information on services, volunteer opportunities, to take a tour or donate to Benevilla, call 623-584-4999 or visit www.benevilla.org.