About Hope Center

  A new chapter for the Hope Center begins in June 2025 with the appointment of our new Director, Gina Lathan. Gina brings a wealth of experience in marketing, project management, product launches, sales, and business-to-business relationship building. Her professional background is matched by a strong commitment to community service. She has previously served as President of the Byron-Bergen STEP Boosters, contributed to the Byron-Bergen Sports Boosters, and held a position on the Board of the Gillam Grant Community Center. She has also mentored students through the WNY Tech Academy Mentor Program.

In addition to her community involvement, Gina is the founder of Wandering Wellness Collective, a wellness practice dedicated to helping individuals achieve holistic health—mind, body, and soul. Her deep heart for serving others, combined with her strategic business acumen, makes her an ideal leader to guide the Hope Center into its next season of growth and impact.

Gina enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren, especially at their camp in the Adirondacks.

 Pat came to the Hope Center in 2016, when the doors opened. She was excited about the prospect of being at the very beginning of something new and exciting that would help the community.

Now, after a career change and working for the Bergen Town Court, as a Court Clerk, she is back. She has a diverse background and experience which includes working at the U of R in the HIV Vaccine Unit, where she was a Data Manager.  She has two roles at the Hope Center: one is as the Program Director of our Ladies’ Group. She comes to us with a creative mind and is looking forward to sharing creative crafts with the ladies and forming friendships.  She also plays a supportive role as the Assistant Director of the Hope Center and is very excited about both opportunities.

When not at work, Pat keeps busy spending time gardening, going for walks around the village with her two Cocker Spaniels, CeeCee and Zoey, making greeting cards, reading, Bible studies, and playing with modeling clay as well as dabbling in various other hobbies.  She and her husband enjoy going out to eat with friends and chatting with their children, who are spread out all over the country. They have 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. 

 Having always had a heart for community outreach, Lori joined the Hope Center team in 2019. She is responsible for our day-to-day office functions and is the chairperson for our sausage booth fundraiser at the Oatka Festival in July. She enjoys being central to the activity at the Hope Center. “When kids are tutored and there is an improvement in their schoolwork, the change in their demeanor is very noticeable. They’re excited to come here, and more confident.” Lori also serves as the Worship Director at Living Waters Church and has a passion for music ministry. When not at work, Lori, along with her husband, are kept busy spending time with their seventeen grandchildren. She loves everything outdoors: bike riding, gardening, going for walks around the village, even cutting the grass. “Being in nature makes me feel at peace.” Lori’s warm smile will greet you when you visit us at the Hope Center. 

 Amy Thompson is the program director of Fresh Start Tutoring.  Although she didn’t become a teacher until her youngest child was in school, she felt called to teaching as her ministry.  She is a graduate of the State University College at Geneseo with a Master of Science in Reading and a Bachelor of Science in Special/Elementary Education.  She has over 26 years of teaching experience and has taught kindergarten, fifth and sixth grade, as well as special education at both high school and elementary levels. “I am passionate about this program for several reasons.  Although most people are aware of the importance of reading and writing, they may not be aware of the research that supports the positive benefits of volunteering their time.  I love that not only are we helping students in reading and math, we are also helping our volunteers live a fuller healthier life.  This program is a win, win situation for everyone involved,” Amy says.  In addition to teaching and tutoring, Amy enjoys spending time vacationing with her husband, children and seven grandchildren.  She loves to garden, sew, and of course read! 

 As a retired geriatric nurse, Tammy found her calling when caring for those residents with Alzheimer’s and other memory impairments.
She is the Director of our respite program, through which she and the volunteers will provide a safe, enjoyable, social setting, where new memories will be created.

As the Alzheimer’s Association’s Community Educator for Genesee County, she recognizes the need for families to have a break from the daily responsibilities of caregiving.

Tammy will encourage her amazing volunteers to “dance like no one’s watching and sing like no one’s listening”’ to help create a bridge to the past. Combined with memory enhancing activities, exercise, crafts and fun and games, it will create a program of excellent for our guests.
When she is not sharing her heart with the Hope Center or her grandchildren, she enjoys caring for the family homestead and camping with her two Pomeranians Tango and Isabella.