About Giving Hope in DuBois

The work of Giving Hope in DuBois is deeply rooted in my personal experiences with loss, compassion, faith, and the belief that every person deserves dignity, hope, and an opportunity for a better future.

My commitment to serving individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, addiction, exploitation, and severe economic hardship was profoundly intensified by the loss of my adopted daughter, Juanita “Rachelle.” At the age of six, Juanita experienced sexual violence that profoundly affected her life. As she grew older, she struggled with mental-health challenges and sought love, acceptance, and belonging in places that ultimately brought further harm into her life.

Juanita died in 2023 after years of struggles involving substance use and sexual exploitation. Her death was made even more heartbreaking by the circumstances surrounding her burial. She was buried in a mass grave in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, without our family being notified at the time.

Her story has become an enduring part of why I believe we must reach people before they become forgotten.

Juanita’s life reminds me that behind every statistic is a human being with a name, a story, a history, and a need to know that someone cares. People experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, exploitation, or crisis cannot simply be defined by the circumstances surrounding their lives. They need compassion, accountability, practical assistance, spiritual support, and someone willing to walk beside them.

This experience has shaped my philosophy of “tough love with compassion.” Tough love does not mean giving up on people or judging them for their circumstances. It means caring enough to establish healthy boundaries, encourage personal responsibility, speak truth with grace, and help individuals take the next step toward stability.

Through Giving Hope in DuBois, I want Juanita’s life to have a lasting purpose. Her story strengthens my determination to ensure that vulnerable individuals are seen, heard, treated with dignity, and connected with the resources and relationships they need.

Our mission is not simply to provide temporary assistance. It is to restore hope, rebuild lives, and help people move toward long-term stability.

I believe that sometimes the greatest gift we can give someone is not simply food, clothing, shelter, or financial assistance. It is the assurance that they have not been forgotten.

That is the heart behind Giving Hope in DuBois.

Hold On, Pain Ends — H.O.P.E.

Amy Hart serves as a Rife Technician from her home in DuBois, Pennsylvania, where she provides holistic support to those she serves. Semi-retired, Amy enjoys gardening and traveling, but in this season of life, she has felt called to a new chapter of service—one shaped by compassion, faith, and a deep empathy born from personal loss.

Amy knows firsthand the pain of losing someone she loves. In 1997, she experienced the heartbreaking loss of her nearly 13-year-old daughter, Stefanie Noelle. Years later, on December 26, 2020, she lost her husband of 40 years, Thomas Tinker, following his long and courageous battle with a terminal illness. Through these profound losses, Amy’s faith, resilience, and desire to help others have continued to guide her forward.

Before beginning this chapter of service, Amy owned and operated Amy’s Family Hair Place in Cook Forest, Pennsylvania, for 25 successful years. When she felt it was time for a change, she returned to school and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Clarion University in Clarion, Pennsylvania. She went on to spend ten years working in multiple school districts throughout the tri-county area, serving in a variety of roles, primarily with elementary-aged students.

Amy and her late husband moved to DuBois in 2011, where they built their dream home, lovingly designed by Thomas, with hopes of enjoying their golden years together. Although their journey together was cut short by his illness and passing in 2020, the love they shared and the life they built continue to be an important part of Amy’s story.

Today, Amy serves on the Board as the Vice President & Financial Chair of Giving Hope in DuBois, bringing a compassionate heart and a genuine commitment to helping others navigate difficult seasons of life. She believes in the power of hope, faith, and community, especially during times when people need encouragement most.

Amy has since remarried, and she and her husband attend Life Community Church, where they continue to serve others and grow in their faith. Through her personal experiences, professional journey, and commitment to helping others, Amy strives to be a source of compassion, encouragement, and hope to those around her.

The work of Giving Hope in DuBois is deeply rooted in faith, compassion, personal experience, and a commitment to serving people who are facing poverty, homelessness, and economic hardship.

My involvement in this ministry grew from a deep concern for people who are suffering, particularly those who are left vulnerable during the cold winter months. I could not ignore the thought of individuals being outside without adequate shelter, warmth, food, or basic necessities. Over time, that concern became more than an emotional response—it became what I believe was a spiritual calling to take action.

My faith has continually guided me toward Matthew 25:35–40, where Jesus teaches us that when we care for those who are hungry, thirsty, without shelter, in need of clothing, or experiencing hardship, we are serving Him:

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40

These words have become a powerful foundation for the mission of Giving Hope in DuBois. We believe that every person deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect, regardless of their circumstances.

My family has also experienced the effects of addiction, giving me a personal understanding of how deeply hardship can affect individuals and families. That experience has strengthened my empathy for people who are struggling and has reminded me that behind every circumstance is a person with a story, a family, a need, and a desire for hope.

Giving Hope in DuBois was born from the belief that people should not have to face difficult circumstances alone. Our goal is not simply to provide temporary assistance, but to walk alongside individuals and families, connect them with resources, offer encouragement and spiritual support, and help create pathways toward greater stability.

I believe that hope begins when someone knows that another person cares enough to reach out.

Giving Hope in DuBois exists to be that reaching hand.

Through faith, compassion, practical assistance, and community partnership, we seek to demonstrate Christ’s love by serving people in their time of greatest need and helping them discover that their circumstances do not have to define their future.

Throughout my professional career, I have had the privilege of serving in several positions that allowed me to connect individuals with the resources and assistance they needed. I have found great fulfillment in building relationships with organizations that provide essential services and helping people discover resources they may not know are available to them.

Connecting people with the right resources is more than a professional responsibility to me—it is a ministry and an area of expertise that I am passionate about. I believe every individual deserves to be treated with respect, dignity, compassion, and understanding, regardless of their circumstances. My goal is to come alongside those in need, offer a helping hand, and support them as they work toward positive change in their lives.

One of the greatest rewards of this ministry is witnessing individuals discover new possibilities, overcome challenges, and begin to experience HOPE for a better future. I believe that meaningful relationships, community partnerships, and access to appropriate resources can help people move forward with renewed confidence and purpose.

My long-term vision for Giving Hope in DuBois is deeply personal. I was born and have lived all my life in this wonderful community, and I want to see the hurting and vulnerable individuals and families of our city find a pathway toward a full, meaningful, and joyful life. I pray that through Giving Hope in DuBois, people will experience not only practical assistance but also the love, encouragement, and opportunities necessary to discover the precious plans and purposes God has for their lives.

Together, we can build a community where no one feels forgotten, where people are treated with dignity, and where individuals and families have the support and encouragement to move toward a brighter future.

H.O.P.E. — Hold On, Pain Ends.

Tim Pleacher is a seasoned executive leader, educator, author, and community advocate residing in Treasure Lake, Pennsylvania. With a career spanning more than three decades across institutional management, public policy, educational administration, and spiritual ministry, Tim brings a rich blend of operational experience, executive oversight, and pastoral compassion to his community leadership roles. Dedicated to personal transformation, institutional integrity, and spiritual stewardship, he serves as a vital anchor for regional outreach and support initiatives throughout the greater DuBois area.

Educational background and early career

Tim’s professional foundation was established in the field of education, where he earned his degree grounded in instructional methodology, human development, and values-based mentorship. He began his career serving as an educator within a Christian school setting, spending three years delivering academic instruction while cultivating character and faith in his students. This early experience in private education reinforced his lifelong commitment to spiritual growth, structured mentorship, and community service—principles that continued to guide his work as his career evolved into broader public service.

Distinguished service in corrections administration

Transitioning into public administration, Tim embarked on a distinguished 25-year career with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Over two and a half decades of public service, he navigated complex institutional environments, managed personnel operations, oversaw facility programs, and applied principled leadership to high-stakes public safety and rehabilitation settings.

Through steady leadership, sound administrative judgment, and a human-centered approach to institutional operations, Tim advanced into executive management, ultimately retiring as Deputy Superintendent. In this executive capacity, he was instrumental in maintaining operational security, directing administrative teams, managing facility resources, and advocating for structured programs aimed at long-term personal rehabilitation and accountability.

Federal advisory, authorship and lay ministry

Following his retirement from state service, Tim extended his expertise into national educational policy, serving as a specialized contractor for the United States Department of Education. In this role, he contributed his extensive background in administration, program oversight, and instructional evaluation to federal educational initiatives.

In addition to his administrative advisory work, Tim is a published author of two books that examine themes of faith, personal transformation, leadership, and resilience. As an active lay speaker, he regularly visits churches across the region, sharing messages that bridge practical leadership principles with deep spiritual insights. His speaking engagements focus on hope, restoration, and active faith in everyday life.

Present mission: Giving Hope in DuBois

Today, Tim focuses his leadership and spiritual gifts on local community revitalization as the Director of Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care for Giving Hope in DuBois. In this role, he provides spiritual assistance, guidance, and encouraging counsel to individuals and families navigating life’s challenges, while helping guide the organization’s overall mission of regional support and outreach.

Tim remains dedicated to ensuring that anyone seeking help finds a welcoming, supportive environment. He actively encourages community members to reach out—whether in need of spiritual guidance and assistance, or interested in contributing time, talents, and resources to support the growing mission of Giving Hope in DuBois.

Hello! My name is Mary Kay Marshall, and I am a retired Registered Nurse with 50 years of experience dedicated to caring for others. Although I am retired, my passion for helping people continues. Today, I am proud to serve as the Director of Community Engagement & Volunteer Service for Giving Hope in DuBois, where I work to bring hope, compassion, and practical support to individuals and families facing hardship.

My outreach work includes coordinating backpack distributions and helping connect children and families in the DuBois School District with essential resources. We are especially concerned about the 64 children reported to be experiencing homelessness, including those who may be staying temporarily with others, sleeping on couches, or living in vehicles. I also work with unsheltered individuals and others who are struggling to meet their basic needs.

In addition to providing direct assistance, I help with fundraising and community education. I believe it is important to help local residents better understand homelessness and the challenges people face. Every person deserves dignity, respect, compassion, and an opportunity to find stability, regardless of their circumstances.

You can also find me every Monday from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the laundromat located at 201 W Long Ave, DuBois, PA 15801. This is a place where I welcome donations and connect with individuals who need assistance. Each week brings opportunities to listen, offer encouragement, provide resources, and help meet the needs of those who cross our path.

My years in nursing taught me that caring for people means seeing beyond their immediate circumstances and recognizing their worth as individuals. I carry that same commitment into my outreach ministry. Sometimes, a helping hand, a listening ear, a backpack of supplies, or a simple act of kindness can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

I invite you to join us in making a difference. Explore our website to learn more about our mission, review our current donation needs, and contribute as you are able. Together, we can bring hope to our neighbors and remind those facing hardship that they are not forgotten.

Reaching people with compassion, meeting needs with dignity, and restoring hope one person at a time.