About Jessica & Friends

Jessica & Friends Community was founded in 1998 by Peter and Paulette Teague, and several close friends, to bring glory to God through their experiences caring for their intellectually disabled daughter Jessica. What started as a single residential home has grown to be our Five Pillars we use to guide our services.

Learn About Our Five Pillars

Our Vision

By faith, we strive to fulfill and proclaim the good news of the gospel by providing service to families impacted by intellectual disabilities regardless of financial standing.

Our Mission

Provide faith-based services and supports for individuals and families with autism and intellectual disabilities.

Our Core Values

Inclusion

(Psalm 139:13-16)

We value and affirm the inherent dignity, significance and worth of each person regardless of physical capability and intellectual function.

(Psalm 139:13-16)

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place,

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

Development

Philippians 1:9-11

We value a team of competent employees and encourage a high level of personal and professional growth and satisfaction.

(Philippians 1:9-11)

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Virtue

We value character demonstrated by truthfulness, integrity, perseverance, courage, and a service mindset.

(Titus 2:7-8)

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

(Psalm 139:13-16)

Titus 2:7-8

Collaboration

1 Peter 4:10

We value trustworthy leadership and promote intentional communication to create an environment where individuals are empowered to use their gifts and skills to work together toward a common purpose.

(1 Peter 4:10)

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Empowerment

Philippians 2:3-4

We are committed to advancing an organization to address issues surrounding those with intellectual disabilities.

(Philippians 2:3-4)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Unity

Philippians 2:1-3

We value family and community and embrace diversity as we maintain the fidelity of our mission.

(Philippians 2:1-3)

Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

Honesty

(Proverbs 2:6-8)

We value honesty and responsibility in every aspect of our organization and strive to meet the highest of ethical standards.

(Proverbs 2:6-8)

For the Lord gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He holds success in store for the upright,

he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

for he guards the course of the just

and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Meet the Team

Peter and Paulette Teague

Founders

Jane Merolla

Chief Executive Officer

Susanne Reynold

Director of Human Resources

Kimberly Gockley

Director of Programs

Tammy Gelsinger

Director of Community Services

Janelle Greathouse

Controller/Accounting Manager

Sally Janora

Ministry Support Coordinator

Our Supporters

Jessica & Friends Community is blessed to have a committed group of individuals, churches, organizations, and friends, who assist us in developing and delivering the high quality programs and services we provide. If your organization or church would be interested in exploring ways to support our ministry, please contact info@jandfcommunity.org.

CommunityAid
The Arc of York County
Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce
PA Association of Resources for People with Mental Retardation (PAR)
United Way of York County
York-Adams Mental Health-Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
York County Community Foundation
York County Regional Chamber of Commerce