Women’s Giving Circle’s record-breaking year impacts lives across Good Shepherd

Imagine having to rely on someone to help you turn on your lights, adjust your bed or even call for help. This is the reality for many residents in Good Shepherd Rehabilitation’s two long-term care homes. Thanks to a record-breaking year for the Women’s Giving Circle, that’s about to change.

Women’s Giving Circle brings together women of all ages and backgrounds from across the region who share a passion for supporting Good Shepherd’s mission of enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Each year, members hear presentations on initiatives, vote for the project they want to collectively fund, and see the direct impact of their philanthropy on patients and residents.

This year, Women’s Giving Circle reached a record 81 members and raised $95,000 —enough to fund three initiatives instead of the group’s usual one.

“This record-breaking year shows what’s possible when women come together to support our mission,” said Associate Vice President of Development Kimberly Stolarik.

Of 2026’s total, $65,000 will be used to fund the first-of-its-kind Long-Term Care Accessibility Lab. Therapy Services Manager, Bridget Boyle, and Advanced Clinician III Shirley Erb, PT, identified a critical need to improve the quality of life for their residents at Good Shepherd Home – Raker Center in Allentown. While many of us view our homes and especially our bedrooms as a place of peaceful rest and relaxation, that’s not always the case for those living with significant disabilities. For many, their rooms can be associated with a lack of control and subsequent fear and anxiety due to these impairments.

Good Shepherd’s highly skilled therapy team is well-versed in assistive technology, which has allowed residents to lead independent and fulfilling lives when seated in their wheelchairs via adaptive controls.

“Independence while in bed for our residents, however, is a critical missing piece to our practice,” Boyle and Erb shared. The accessibility lab will bring Good Shepherd’s assistive technology expertise directly to residents’ rooms, giving them greater independence and control, restoring comfort, confidence and improved quality of life.

The creation of a bedroom accessibility lab will include an auto-turning mattress and bed controls operated by voice and switches. The lab will allow staff to evaluate residents’ ability to use room controls and recommend appropriate assistive technologies for their personalized needs.

Members of the community living with disabilities will also be invited to trial the equipment, furthering Good Shepherd’s mission to serve as many people as possible.

Women’s Giving Circle didn’t stop there. Members also invested $15,000 each in two programs: MS Wellness Program to help people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) stay active and independent and the Patient Empowerment Fund, which helps remove financial barriers that can stand between patients and a safe recovery at home.

Women’s Giving Circle extends a heartfelt thanks to outgoing Chair Jody King, whose leadership and commitment to advancing Good Shepherd’s mission helped guide the group through two impactful years.

The group also warmly welcomes its new Chair, Karen Smith, who is CEO at Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley. We look forward to her leadership in the year ahead.

Interested in joining a dynamic group of women who are making a direct impact on patients’ lives? Learn more about joining the Women’s Giving Circle and how every dollar raised helps create greater independence and opportunity for Good Shepherd patients.