Date: October 20, 2003
For Immediate Release
Contact: Pat Long, (310) 533-1996
H.E.L.P. Doubles Its Full-time Staff
To keep up with the growing demand for its services to older adults and families, H.E.L.P. recently added two professionals to its full-time staff. "We're thrilled that Cathi Richards and Kim Brooke have joined us," said Ed Long, executive director of H.E.L.P. "They bring important skills and background, and are the two most important parts of our 2003-04 program to expand and strengthen our ability to serve to the community."Staff Elder Law Attorney Cathi Richards directly expands H.E.L.P.'s capability to provide information and answers through its classes, consultations, publications and telephone and Internet-based assistance. Ms. Richards comes to H.E.L.P. from the California Department of Managed Health Care where she dealt with issues related to regulation of HMOs. She obtained her law degree from USC in 1991, and was awarded the Order of the Coif (top 10% of the class). Ms. Richards was also an articles editor of the Southern California Law Review, and received American Jurisprudence Awards in Contracts and Evidence. Married in 1984, Ms. Richards and her husband have lived in the South Bay since 1988. She is a member of Toastmasters International Club 5631.
Director of Development and Operations Kimberly Brooke primarily focuses on maintaining and developing H.E.L.P.'s connection with its individual, family, business, foundation and other supporters. By taking on these and other operational responsibilities, she frees other staff for direct community services. Ms. Brooke joins H.E.L.P. from Community Health Charities of California, where she was primarily accountable for increasing workplace-giving donations to more than 50 health-related charities. Experienced in creating outreach materials and making presentations to diverse employee groups, she has also earned her specialist certificate in Nonprofit and Public Organization Fundraising and Marketing from California State University, Long Beach. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri, with a bachelor's degree in economics. Ms. Brooke and her husband of three years live in the South Bay, where she is an active member of American Business Women's Association DeOceana Chapter.
H.E.L.P. is an award-winning Torrance, California - based non-profit service for older adults and their caring families and friends. Since its inception in 1996, it has helped thousands of people meet aging-related legal and care challenges. Its services include public classes, private consultations, 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 www.help4srs.org and www.annuitytruth.org