CALLAWAY, Md. (Jan. 23, 2008)—Janine Szokoly
has joined the Callaway-based Leah's House shelter for women and children as the Executive Director.
"At Leah's House (the first shelter for women and children in the county), we continue to be committed to helping clients and are excited about our newly formed team," said founder Pastor Marguerite Morris in a statement.
This team, led by Szokoly, includes other individuals who are qualified in finance, case management, real estate, non-profit administration, substance abuse programs, human resources, volunteer recruitment in addition to a host of student volunteers from St Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) and the community at large.
Szokoly graduated cum laude with her Bachelor of Arts in jurisprudence from the University of Baltimore and went on to receive a juris doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law. In her last year of law school, she was made a fellow at the Child, Family and the Courts Center where she was an integral part of developing and instituting a much needed truancy program in Baltimore City, in addition to working with victims of domestic violence, both women and children.
"We believe that her educational and business background, coupled with her strong desire to help others, will enable Leah's House to continue to grow, and those in need to obtain the help they so desperately need," said Morris.
Morris, who has served in a volunteer capacity as the interim director, stated that the addition of an executive director has been the goal of the organization all along. In 2005 Morris decided she would ultimately serve on the Board of Directors as Founder and CEO of Leah's House. In addition, she continues to pastor the New Beginnings Christian Worship Center.