
GrandPals
GrandPal Laurel Lerner

Ella Leving • June 21, 2024
Meet Laurel Lerner, a passionate music enthusiast and dog lover. As a former singer turned piano teacher with a degree in music education, Laurel’s love for music runs deep. Laurel finds joy in both her human and furry companions, always with her Kindle in hand, ready to delve into a good book.
“One day I was reading a book and Chleo was staring at my face, almost two inches from me. I kept looking at her to see what she was staring at. She then asked, ‘Are you wearing lipstick?’ I say that I was. She then said, ‘It’s not allowed in school!’ Serafima said that lipstick is allowed for adults but not for children. I’m glad she cleared that up!!”
“Also, both girls are huggers. They greet me every week with a big hug, and when it’s time to go, I get more hugs. Those hugs carry me with joy all through the week!!”
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GrandPals
GrandPal Bob Swierczek
Bob Swierczek, a United States Navy veteran, resides in Princeton, where he selflessly dedicates his time to various volunteer roles. He serves as a crossing...
Ella Leving • Mar 25, 2025
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GrandPals
GrandPal Christine Piatek
Christine Piatek was a GrandPal at Littlebrook School before the pandemic and eagerly rejoined when the program returned in full swing. Before retiring, she worked...
Ella Leving • Mar 20, 2025
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Open Doors
Frances
Frances: A heart full of dance and joy in Princeton We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Frances at the Suzanne Patterson Building’s Nutrition Program, and...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Mar 18, 2025
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Open Doors
Meet Intern Chris
Christopher Stanley – A Journey from Ministry to Social Work At CMAP, we are fortunate to have had Chris as an intern, bringing not only...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Apr 29, 2025
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Open Doors
Meet Intern Sarah
Sarah Christensen, A Heart Full of Empathy and Service Q: Sarah, tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to pursue a...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Apr 21, 2025
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GrandPals
GrandPal Lois Gerstein
Meet Lois Gerstein, A former medical social worker with an MSW from NYU, she also ran a children’s bookstore, combining her passion for books and...
Ella Leving • Apr 08, 2025
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GrandPals
GrandPal Caroline Purnell
Caroline Purnell has been a GrandPal for the past two years. She is retired from teaching French, Spanish, and ESL for adults, and embodies a...
Ella Leving • Apr 03, 2025
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GrandPals
GrandPal Dave Olson
Meet Dave Olson, a recently retired Special Education teacher with a passion for supporting students of all abilities. Originally from the Philadelphia area, he began...
Ella Leving • Apr 01, 2025
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GrandPals
GrandPal Deb Pillow
Deb Pillow, originally from Michigan and with a background in teaching and storytelling, found her perfect fit in GrandPals after moving to Princeton from Arizona...
Ella Leving • Mar 27, 2025
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GrandPals
GrandPal Bob Swierczek
Bob Swierczek, a United States Navy veteran, resides in Princeton, where he selflessly dedicates his time to various volunteer roles. He serves as a crossing...
Ella Leving • Mar 25, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Christine Piatek
Christine Piatek was a GrandPal at Littlebrook School before the pandemic and eagerly rejoined when the program returned in full swing. Before retiring, she worked...
Ella Leving • Mar 20, 2025
-
Open Doors
Frances
Frances: A heart full of dance and joy in Princeton We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Frances at the Suzanne Patterson Building’s Nutrition Program, and...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Mar 18, 2025
-
Open Doors
Meet Intern Chris
Christopher Stanley – A Journey from Ministry to Social Work At CMAP, we are fortunate to have had Chris as an intern, bringing not only...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Apr 29, 2025
-
Open Doors
Meet Intern Sarah
Sarah Christensen, A Heart Full of Empathy and Service Q: Sarah, tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to pursue a...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Apr 21, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Lois Gerstein
Meet Lois Gerstein, A former medical social worker with an MSW from NYU, she also ran a children’s bookstore, combining her passion for books and...
Ella Leving • Apr 08, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Caroline Purnell
Caroline Purnell has been a GrandPal for the past two years. She is retired from teaching French, Spanish, and ESL for adults, and embodies a...
Ella Leving • Apr 03, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Dave Olson
Meet Dave Olson, a recently retired Special Education teacher with a passion for supporting students of all abilities. Originally from the Philadelphia area, he began...
Ella Leving • Apr 01, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Deb Pillow
Deb Pillow, originally from Michigan and with a background in teaching and storytelling, found her perfect fit in GrandPals after moving to Princeton from Arizona...
Ella Leving • Mar 27, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Bob Swierczek
Bob Swierczek, a United States Navy veteran, resides in Princeton, where he selflessly dedicates his time to various volunteer roles. He serves as a crossing...
Ella Leving • Mar 25, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Christine Piatek
Christine Piatek was a GrandPal at Littlebrook School before the pandemic and eagerly rejoined when the program returned in full swing. Before retiring, she worked...
Ella Leving • Mar 20, 2025
-
Open Doors
Frances
Frances: A heart full of dance and joy in Princeton We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Frances at the Suzanne Patterson Building’s Nutrition Program, and...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Mar 18, 2025