Our Mission

 Joan Clark:

CEO and Director of Avenues to Independent Living, has been a pillar in the Gloucester Community for over 20 years. Joan attended Gloucester Community College, where she received an Associate’s Degree in Education. Later, Joan embarked on her teaching career at Bancroft School, where she worked with the developmentally disabled population in their Supported Employment Program. In addition, she became the Supervisor of the Summer Youth Employment Program, which she ran successfully for 10 years. While still employed by Bancroft, she worked towards continuing her education and was awarded a certification in Special Education Teacher of the Handicapped K-12. Over the many years Joan witnessed first-hand what a job and a sense of independence could do for the human spirit. She sought to educate and seek out employment opportunities in her local area to integrate those with developmental disabilities into their community. Identifying a gap in the transition from the educational system to independent adulthood, Joan aspired to plug the gaps for those in need of many types of services. It was then that Joan’s vision became a reality and Avenues to Independent Living was born. Today, Joan not only provides services to the disabled, but also has created many jobs as a provider, employing approximately 250 people. Although, the Avenues’ family provides services of Direct Support, Support Coordination, Community Inclusion and Respite Services, Joan still acknowledges her passion for Supported Employment, as being the cornerstone of the Avenues’ commitment to helping consumers achieve their vision of Independence.

Stephanie Lundfelt:

Assistant Director of Avenues to Independent Living, attended Gloucester County College and obtained an Associates of Arts, Liberal Studies, Education. Stephanie gained valuable experience working as an Individual Support Professional, Teacher’s Assistant, and Substitute Teacher at Bancroft School, while continuing her education. Later, she completed her course studies at Holy Family University and was awarded her Bachelors of Arts in the field of Elementary Special Education. Stephanie completed Clinical Practice at Bancroft School. Afterward, Stephanie employed her exceptionally honed skill sets to the position of Assistant Director of Avenues to Independent Living. Currently, Stephanie oversees much of the day-to-day operations of Avenues by monitoring and reviewing programming, ensuring compliance and proper guideline adherence. Additionally, Stephanie provides input in staff/client matching and scheduling to maintain quality service and consumer satisfaction. Stephanie evaluates employee performance and makes recommendations for system improvements and programming of services to allow new program evolution. Stephanie employs her Job Coaching skills overseeing on-premise job sampling.

Johanna Roane:

Director of Streets to Success Activities Program; Johanna attended Glassboro State University (Now Rowan University) for her undergraduate Bachelors degree in Psychology, minoring in Recreation. Johanna has dedicated her career to helping others. Johanna started as a Direct Support Staff, more specifically, as a Therapeutic Staff Support for at Risk Children who have experienced Trauma and were acting out behaviorally. Johanna continued to grow and seek knowledge. Johanna soon became a Care Coordinator, onto a Care Coordinator Supervisor and soon a Department Supervisor. Johanna always focused on her mission of helping. Johanna continued her education receiving MBA in Health Administration. Johanna gained much experience by helping pioneer one of Philadelphia’s first Therapeutic Summer Camps for children struggling in everyday neighborhood camps. Johanna immersed herself in Trauma informed care and the Sanctuary Model of individual and organizational change. Johanna entered the education game by supervising and leading numerous, in school behavioral support programs throughout the city of Philadelphia, eventually becoming the Director of a Partial Psychiatric Hospitalization program; serving children ages 5-13 in psychiatric crisis. After 21 years of experience in Mental Health, In 2019 Johanna joined our Avenues Team, transferring her knowledge and her mission of helping others. Johanna leads our Streets to Success program with a passion for kindness, exploration, recreation, community inclusion, and self-direction for all!

Regina Brogan:

Chief Finance Officer: Regina attended The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania for her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and Accounting; with summa cum laude honors! Regina worked for many years for a prominent Wall Street investment firm, where she held various positions. She rose through the ranks and broke many glass ceilings to be Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis. She “retired” after the 9/11 attacks to be a stay-at-home mom to her six children. This included attending to the needs of her disabled son and caring for her aging parents and her adult disabled sister. Regina has been actively involved in her community for many years as a Girl Scout leader, religious education teacher, PTA treasurer, etc. Currently, Regina oversees the many financial aspects of Avenues. When not here at the office working, Regina enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, camping and travelling.

Wendy Menz:

Supervisor of Supported Employment, came to Avenues to Independent Living with a wealth of business and training experience accumulated over the course of 35 years. While attending college for nursing, Wendy worked full time for a Photographer’s Studio and Color Lab. At the age of 19, Wendy became an entrepreneur and purchased, Gemini Color Lab, the second 1- Hour Photo Lab in the State of NJ. As owner-operator of a successful small business in Cumberland County, she trained many employees to become professional color printer technicians over the course of 13 years. Later, Wendy sold Gemini Color Lab and worked for Farmer’s and Merchant’s Nat’l Bank as a Customer Service Representative, specializing in new accounts and consumer lending; obtaining a general Banking Certificate from the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Banking. Afterwards, Wendy continued to polish her business experience once again, working in sales and customer relations for Zales Corporation. After that, Wendy began working as an Instructional Aid for Vineland Public Schools in SLD and Autistic Resource Room, and remained there for 16 years. Her time spent working with the Autistic population at Vineland High School in the Job Sampling/Training Program fostered her desire to continue beyond the school level and enter the job market community, to make strides in finding gainful employment for the disabled adult population. Wendy came onboard to Avenues to Independent Living, initially, as a part time Human Resources Assistant, but found she had a passion to continue in Supported Employment. Her attributes as an experienced business person, trainer, and job coach compliment the clients she works with and bring valued employer/employee matches to the community.