Joyful Journey Team
Joyful Journey Team
Meet Our Team
at Joyful Journey
Bess Witcosky
Executive Director
Bess is Joyful Journey’s Executive Director. Although she has performing arts in her background, she prefers to work behind the scenes to ensure that our Friends always take center stage for care. She enjoys bringing a unique and creative perspective to organizational strategies, team building, and new programs. Bess also has a passion for community partnerships because “we can accomplish so much more when we work together!” It gives her JOY to make connections with Friends; provide engaging opportunities for them to enjoy success and fulfillment each day. In her free time, Bess loves going on outdoor adventures with her family and eating good food!
Angie Shamo
Program Director
Angie is the Program Director at Joyful Journey. Knowing that our Friends have positive and purposeful experiences at JJ—whether through socializing, music, movement, games, cultural programs, or art—brings her immense JOY.
Angie brings a diverse background of skills and experiences to her role. She spent 15 years teaching Montessori preschool and has experience teaching adults English as a second language. In addition, she has been sharing her passion for wellness as a yoga teacher for 13 years.
When she’s not at Joyful Journey, Angie loves spending time with her husband, two sons, family, and friends. She enjoys being outdoors, reading, and traveling. Angie’s adventures have taken her to live in Berkeley, California, and study abroad in Australia—experiences that have shaped her love for exploration and connection. She feels grateful to be a part of the JJ team.
Tina Parker
Operations Director
Tina serves as the Operations Director at Joyful Journey. She knows that bringing friends into the Joyful Journey circle fosters confidence, friendship, and laughter. She also understands the tremendous benefits our services provide to caregivers—offering peace of mind and the much-needed time to care for themselves while their loved ones are with us.
With a strong background in client service and a genuine heart for people, Tina is dedicated to supporting Friends and their families from first contact and throughout their entire journey with us. She has been deeply involved in the greater Lafayette community, serving on multiple nonprofit boards, and she brings over 25 years of experience in television and marketing to her role.
When she’s not at Joyful Journey, Tina enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is the proud mother of a daughter and a son and adores her grandson. A passionate traveler, Tina counts her trip to South Africa among her favorites. She is also an animal lover with two dogs and three cats who keep her busy and happy at home. Tina is thrilled to be part of the Joyful Journey family!
Kristen Patton
Office Administrator
Kristen is Joyful Journey’s Office Administrator, overseeing a variety of administrative and communication activities at the front desk Tuesdays through Thursdays. She helps keep JJ organized, greets families and Friends, directs inquiries to staff, and helps where needed, all while building important relationships with our caregivers and Friends.
Having walked the caregiving path, Kristen has a special place in her heart for all caregivers, and it brings her great JOY to be a part of an organization that is sensitive to their needs.
When not at Joyful Journey, Kristen enjoys reading, hiking, visiting tea rooms and botanical gardens, trying new recipes and spending time with her favorite people–her husband and two adult children.
Trisha Ireland
Program Assistant
Trisha spends her time at Joyful Journey as a Program Assistant. She takes pride in ensuring Friends' needs are met. She says “I just love helping people.” It gives her JOY when she helps a Friend enjoy their day.
When Trisha is not at Joyful Journey, she enjoys spending time with her family and playing with her dogs. She also loves to curl up with a good book!
Ann O'Dell
Program Assistant
Ann is a Program Assistant at Joyful Journey, which means she helps lead programs and provide care to our Friends. It gives her JOY when she is able to assist Friends with activities in a safe, loving environment. Ann brings over 10 years of private caregiving experience with her to Joyful Journey. Her calm demeanor makes Friends feel at ease.
When Ann is not at Joyful Journey, she enjoys spending time with her family. She also likes furniture refinishing, fishing, camping and being outdoors.
Clarinda Balagtas
Program Assistant
Clarinda is a Program Assistant at Joyful Journey, so she is integral to providing daily activities and care. It gives her JOY when she sees Friends engaging in social activities such as singing or reminiscing about their childhood. Clarinda says, “I love hearing about their cherished memories!”
As a former registered nurse, Clarinda has many years of caregiving experience. Anticipating the needs of a person with dementia is challenging, and everyday is a new learning experience, but, she says, “I strive to show everyone respect and dignity and to make their day with us a joyful one.”
When Clarinda is not at Joyful Journey, she enjoys attending plays or musical productions at Purdue, dining out at the local restaurants, and helping to prepare meals with her family for the Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM) shelter.
Olivia Schueler
Program Assistant
Olivia is a Program Assistant at Joyful Journey, and she has a real gift of presenting activities in a fun and engaging way. It gives her JOY when a Friend or colleague appears to enjoy a mutual moment with her or when others offer her encouragement.
Olivia has been working in healthcare and related activities for much of her life, and it is clear her heart is in caregiving. She will tell you, “I’m doing what I enjoy!”
When Olivia is not at Joyful Journey, she enjoys spending time with her spouse, reading, and napping.
Halle Wise
Program Assistant
Halle spends her time at Joyful Journey as a dedicated Program Assistant, where she takes pride in helping others, meeting their needs with compassion and care. She recently earned her Associate Degree in Applied Science in Human Services at Ivy Tech and is thrilled to take the next step in her career surrounded by such wonderful Friends and co-workers.
During her studies, Halle completed a 16-week internship with Joyful Journey. By the end of her internship, she was heartbroken to leave—but fortunately, it wasn’t good-bye for long! Halle joined the team in her current role as Program Assistant and has been an integral part of the Joyful Journey family ever since.
When she’s not at Joyful Journey, Halle enjoys spending quality time with her fiancé, her family, and her puppy. She also loves working on diamond art paintings, a relaxing and creative hobby that reflects her attention to detail.
Joyful Journey Philosophy of Care
We accomplish things with our Friends based on their current abilities and interests because everyone needs a sense of purpose.
We appreciate that our Friends have important histories and thoughts to share. It is our responsibility to offer the right environment plus time and encouragement so their voices are heard the most.
We are aware of the environment and its impact on our Friends. We will make changes supporting our Friends, as needed.
We respect the privacy and dignity of our Friends and their families.
We understand that a Friend is doing the best he or she can. When something is not working, it is our responsibility to change our behavior and approach.
We respond to our Friends, including to their changes in abilities, in a way that upholds their dignity and self-esteem.
We know body language and visual cues, not our words, are the best communication tolls. We strive to use fewer words and more visual cues.
Our Co-Founders
Cathy & Gerard Benner
Cathy, President, and Gerard, Treasurer and Board Chair, are Co-Founders of Joyful Journey. Both are committed Volunteers on many levels for the organization. What came from personal caregiving experience, driving hearts of compassion for caregivers and families, and listening to where their faith was leading them has been a humbling mission of talking the talk and walking the walk.
Cathy finds JOY in seeing parts of her mom in each Joyful Journey Friend and knowing her mom’s memory will be a legacy of love for our community of caregivers and those being cared for. Hearing of life breathing moments in caregiver lives because of the positive impact Joyful Journey has afforded them provides Gerard great JOY. Both are inspired by the love exhibited by our communities, Board, Staff and Volunteers as shown through everyone’s personal calling and willingness to help make Joyful Journey a reality.
Always together, whether at work or play, Cathy and Gerard find great pleasure in serving others and those special times with one another, their grown children, grandchildren, extended family, and a fuzzy dog, Gumbo.
Our Co-Founders
Cathy & Gerard Benner
Cathy, President, and Gerard, Treasurer and Board Chair, are Co-Founders of Joyful Journey. Both are committed Volunteers on many levels for the organization. What came from personal caregiving experience, driving hearts of compassion for caregivers and families, and listening to where their faith was leading them has been a humbling mission of talking the talk and walking the walk.
Cathy finds JOY in seeing parts of her mom in each Joyful Journey Friend and knowing her mom’s memory will be a legacy of love for our community of caregivers and those being cared for. Hearing of life breathing moments in caregiver lives because of the positive impact Joyful Journey has afforded them provides Gerard great JOY. Both are inspired by the love exhibited by our communities, Board, Staff and Volunteers as shown through everyone’s personal calling and willingness to help make Joyful Journey a reality.
Always together, whether at work or play, Cathy and Gerard find great pleasure in serving others and those special times with one another, their grown children, grandchildren, extended family, and a fuzzy dog, Gumbo.
The Joyful Journey
Board of Directors
Cathy Benner
President
Gerard Benner
Treasurer and Chair
Stuart Boehning
Secretary
Don Windler
Member
Claire Lacy
Member
Robert Truitt
Member
The Joyful Journey
Board of Directors
Cathy Benner
President
Gerard Benner
Treasurer and Chair
Stuart Boehning
Secretary
Don Windler
Member
Claire Lacy
Member
Robert Truitt
Member