Jennie Straub Becomes Director At Cornerstone
The new director at Pregnancy Resources at Cornerstone, 5380 Lincoln Highway, Gap, has a wealth of experience in social services, ranging from counseling to teaching teen dating violence prevention, but it is networking that was on Straub's mind when asked about her background. "I was networking with community agencies (in my prior position), and I had a lot of contacts," recalled Straub. "That was one of the reasons (then-director) Debbie (Davenport) said she hired me (as client services and outreach specialist in 2018)."
Straub's experience in networking occurred when she worked for Lancaster County Juvenile Probation, where, along with another officer, she set up a community service program by connecting with various county organizations. In her previous role at Cornerstone, she worked with clients, facilitated educational programs, and oversaw volunteers, but she also built relationships with community organizations such as Solanco Family Life Network in Quarryville, CrossNet Ministries in New Holland, and The Factory Ministries in Paradise. The ministry also serves Octorara Area and Oxford Area school districts.
Before Straub began networking with area agencies, the Williamsport native majored in criminal justice at Edinboro University. After graduation, she worked at a maximum security juvenile facility for teen girls in Danville. She also served as a social worker for a foster care agency, counseling juveniles and their families for four years.
After marrying and moving to Lancaster County, Straub worked for juvenile probation and, as her three daughters were born, held a series of part-time jobs before landing at Cornerstone, where she was promoted to director of operations in 2019.
Straub is proud of having taught Constructing Safe Relationships, a curriculum focused on preventing teen dating violence, to well over 600 students at area schools, including Solanco and Oxford, in the last two years. She also schooled student assistant program teachers at Garden Spot High School in the details of the program. "These are teachers who are identified as safe (people) for kids who need to talk or are struggling," she explained.
Looking ahead, Straub will be working to implement Cornerstone's current strategic plan, which includes offering more off-site engagements, diversifying services through innovation, and developing recurring revenue streams. "(We'd also like to see) more client referrals coming from community partnerships," said Straub, noting she plans to continue developing relationships with other local organizations.
Readers who would like to know more about Cornerstone may visit http://www.pregnancyresources.org or call 717-442-8694.
Leave a Review