In 1998, Kathleen Drozda was a career nurse who had specialized in neurology, neurosurgery, and trauma services. A chance encounter with a woman who was living in her car with her dogs in the parking lot at St. Anthony North Hospital would open her eyes to often invisible community needs and housing insecurity in Adams County. It all happened at the right place at the right time.

“We had a progressive CEO at St. Anthony’s. It’s a mission-driven hospital concerned with taking care of the community at large,” says Drozda.

As her awareness of the housing challenge grew, she shifted her focus to prevention and community outreach, engaging schools, churches, social workers, and community members. With the support of the hospital, donors, and her husband, Drozda established a 501(c)(3) organization, the Adams County Interfaith Hospitality Network, a moving shelter program that would eventually become Growing Home.

Fast forward 25 years, Growing Home’s has evolved into an organization that envisions a thriving, healthy, and equitable community for all. The nonprofit connects people to services and programs to drive community action in the areas of food, housing, parenting education, and lifelong stability.

Drozda continues to support Growing Home as a member of its board. She also volunteers and serves as a Growing Home ambassador.