A Person-Centered Approach to Grief presenters

Shelly Christensen is the senior director of faith inclusion and belonging at Disability Belongs™. Christensen’s innovative leadership has shaped programs across faith communities. As the program manager for the Minneapolis Jewish Community Inclusion Program for People with Disabilities she reimagined how synagogues, schools and agencies approach inclusion by blending person-centered strategies with organizational transformation. Her multifaith work empowers faith communities to adopt forward-thinking practices that promote accessibility, inclusion and belonging across all stages of life.

An acclaimed author, Christensen wrote “The Jewish Community Guide to Inclusion of People with Disabilities”, a groundbreaking work that established her as an in-demand keynote speaker, trainer and consultant. Her latest book is “From Longing to Belonging-A Practical Guide to Including People with Disabilities in Your Faith Community.”

Christensen’s visionary leadership led to the creation of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month. Her leadership has been instrumental in raising awareness and eliminating barriers, ensuring that people with disabilities can fully participate in the richness of faith community life.

Christensen is a fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and a recipient of the Religion and Spirituality Network’s Reimagining Spirituality Leadership award.

Christensen holds a master’s of arts in developmental disabilities from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s of arts in journalism from the University of Minnesota. She is a graduate of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities.

Padraic Collins-Bohrer serves as a faith community inclusion specialist at Heritage Christian Services. He works to connect people served by the agency with faith communities of their choice, offers prayer, builds relationships and provides support during times of grief, illness and at the end of life. He is also a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester leading worship at Episcopal churches across the Rochester area. Collins-Bohrer earned his master’s of divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester and a diploma in Anglican studies from Bexley-Seabury Episcopal Seminary in Chicago.

Sara Corona is a board-certified, licensed art therapist who specializes in providing art therapy to adults with various disabilities including intellectual and developmental disabilities, dementia and traumatic brain injuries. Practicing for over 18 years with a person-centered approach, she uses the unique methods of art therapy to help clients overcome life and mental health challenges. Corona currently works as an art therapist for Heritage Christian Services in Rochester, NY.

Amanda Dimino is a board-certified music therapist and a licensed creative arts therapist. Dimino has vast experience working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as with adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Dimino approaches music therapy with a person-centered focus, where strengths and unique abilities are highlighted and embraced.

Lauren Faggiano is a licensed creative arts therapist and has been working as a board-certified music therapist for over 20 years. The majority of her time she has worked with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Other clinical experiences include working with people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and adolescents with mental health diagnoses. Faggiano has been a member of the grief support team at Heritage Christian Services since its inception. Faggiano also works as an adjunct professor at Nazareth College, performs with several bands in the area and has recorded and released four music albums over the last 20 years.

Donna Golder is a licensed speech language pathologist with over 20 years of experience supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She currently serves at Heritage Christian Services, specializing in alternative augmentative communication systems, swallowing disorders, dementia and end-of-life care. Golder is passionate about empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilites to actively participate in their lives.

Sherry Gricar is dedicated to helping people live meaningful lives. She began her career at 19 as a direct support professional, supporting people with developmental disabilities, their families and service providers. A passionate advocate, she understands that true support embraces life’s joys and challenges, requiring collaboration with families, friends, faith communities and other networks. Today, she trains staff members in positive support strategies, crisis intervention, and prevention. She also welcomes new hires and shares the mission of Heritage Christian Services across western New York.

Stephanie Hawkins has a master’s of arts in speech language pathology. She began her career in schools, providing speech and language therapy to children in grades K-6. Hawkins came to Heritage Christian Services in 2005 and found her niche working with adults with developmental disabilities and is especially passionate about Deaf advocacy, dementia care, grief support and teaching. She has taught classes for Heritage Christian employees and the community on topics such as sign language, swallowing disorders and alternative/augmentative communication. As a member of the grief support team, Hawkins appreciates being able to come around people who are grieving with holistic care and support.

Brittney Schultz has been a behavior intervention specialist at Heritage Christian Services for six years. Previously she worked as a direct support staff member while completing her undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology at St. John Fisher, and her master’s of social work at Roberts Wesleyan College. As a social worker, Schultz has supported people through all areas of life including end-of-life support. She focuses on supporting people with co-occurring conditions such as intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as a mental health diagnosis.

Shannon Seddon is a dance movement therapist at Heritage Christian Services, supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her clinical experience includes working with individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injuries. Using a person-centered approach, she provides both individual and group therapy. An adjunct instructor at Nazareth University, the University of Rochester and Kinections, she is passionate about the power of dance to help people navigate life’s challenges. Seddon holds a master’s in dance movement therapy and counseling from Antioch University New England and a bachelor’s in performing arts from Wells College.

Joe Starling is a faith community inclusion specialist at Heritage Christian Services, and has 24 years’ experience working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He began his career with Heritage Christian Services in 2001 as a direct support professional transferring to the spiritual care department before relocating to Tampa, FL. Starling returned to Heritage Christian in 2010 and has worked as a member of the faith community inclusion team since. He is also part of the Heritage Christian International Ministries team and has traveled to Guatemala multiple times. Starling is an active member and minister at Love Fellowship Worship Center.

Diane Sturmer has dedicated over 35 years to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Heritage Christian Services, leading adventures from Ireland to the Adirondacks. As the artistic director of Heart of Dance, she brings together people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities who share a love for dance. In her daily work as a faith community inclusion specialist, she supports people through health challenges and end-of-life care, believing that everyone has a unique gift to share. Sturmer is also the author of Two Are Better Than One, a book on friendship, and Good Grief, a guide for navigating loss—both available on Amazon.

Gregory Thomas Sullivan is a third-generation funeral director at Thomas Funeral Chapels in Rochester, NY. A licensed funeral director for over 20 years, he graduated from the Simmons Institute of Funeral Service and holds an associate degree in mortuary science as well as a bachelor’s degree in business management from St. John Fisher College. Deeply committed to his community, Gregory is an active volunteer, a member of Holy Cross Church, a participant in Hilton Youth Sports and a member of the Sno Flyers. In recognition of his dedication, he was honored as the 2016 Community Partner of the Year by the Arc of Monroe. For nearly a century, the Sullivan family has guided and supported individuals and families through life’s most difficult moments.