Longtime South Bay resident Catherine F. Grove has joined H.E.L.P. as its director of development, according to Ed Long, its executive director. Long commented "Cathy Grove is not only an outgoing 'people person', she brings solid business and fundraising experience. We're thrilled that she has joined the H.E.L.P. team."

Ms. Grove comes to H.E.L.P. from American Martyrs Parish, Manhattan Beach, where she has served in volunteer leadership capacities for 15 years. Among her many assignments, she coordinated two major fund-raising campaigns, wrote and obtained grants and organized year-end strategic planning efforts. She has also served as a financial and business professional for Hughes Aircraft Corporation, First Interstate Bancorp and Bank of America.

A former teacher, Ms. Grove holds an MBA from the University of Southern California, as well as a Master of French Literature degree from Syracuse University and a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Albany. She also has studied abroad at the University of Salamanca in Spain, and the University of Nice and the Centre Socio-Pedagogique (both in France).

H.E.L.P. is an award-winning Torrance, California -based non-profit education and counseling center providing impartial information to older adults and families on elder care, law, finances and more. Since its inception in 1996, it has helped thousands of individuals, couples and families. Its services include public classes, private consultations, publications and telephone and Internet assistance. H.E.L.P. is located at 1404 Cravens Avenue, Torrance, California 90501. The phone number is (310) 533-1996, and the Internet addresses are are www.help4srs.org, www.annuitytruth.org and www.better-endings.org.