New Bethany Ministries (NBM) strengthened its Board of Directors recently with the appointment of Robin Riley-Casey, director of Multicultural Life at Muhlenberg College, Brian Gates, director of Financial Planning at Air Products and José Mendez, liaison to the board from the Episcopal Dioceses of Bethlehem and lead sexton at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity.

Riley-Casey seeks to provide opportunities for disadvantaged individuals by expanding New Bethany’s connections to even more marginalized communities. COVID-19 reaffirmed Riley-Casey’s belief that relationships and face-to-face interactions are the glue to building community, motivating her to join the organization’s board. She is currently taking time to learn about New Bethany’s services and determining where her time and connections will be most beneficial in the future.

Gates anticipates actively participating in volunteer opportunities with his family to work towards consistently improving client life. Inspired by New Bethany’s ability and passion to uplift the community, Gates joined the board to improve the organization’s community reach, financial stability and perception.

After years of facilitating the relationship between New Bethany and the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Mendez officially joined New Bethany’s Board of Directors. Mendez plans to take his management experience and help transform the organization’s resources. In addition to launching a Latinx community at the Cathedral, he plans to expand New Bethany’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices by advocating for underrepresented voices in the Lehigh Valley community.

“New Bethany Ministries is very fortunate to have Robin, Brian and José join the Board of Directors,” said Marc Rittle, executive director of New Bethany Ministries. “Their dedication, refreshing insight and desire to give back to the Lehigh Valley community is inspiring, and I am confident their support and that from their individual organizations will help us make an even greater impact.”

New Bethany Ministries, in its 35th year of service to the Lehigh Valley, encompasses programs that provide food support, clothing, referral services, showers, financial management, permanent housing for men and women, wellness services, and transitional and permanent housing solutions. Its mission is to offer hope and support to people who experience poverty, hunger, and homelessness. NBM believes that all people, regardless of circumstances, should be treated with dignity and care without judgment. To learn more about New Bethany Ministries, check Facebook and Twitter @NewBethMin, or visit them on the web at www.newbethanyministries.org