About Us
Who We Are
Faith Forward has been serving Westmoreland and the surrounding communities since 2013 by providing human services such as counseling, addiction recovery support, employment and housing assistance, life coaching, prison release support, and family relationship counseling.
Goal
Our Mission
Faith Forward Ministries brings individuals together and empowers the community to develop strategic alliances for reaching out and helping people overcome poverty, related issues, life difficulties, and addiction. We want to become a part of the solution by connecting churches, organizations, and people together in collaborate effort.
We are committed to bringing hope and restoration to the hurting with encouragement to move forward by reaching one goal at a time.
Faith Forward is a faith-based human services facility that provides people in the community with resources, counseling, and encouragement to overcome life's obstacles. We do this by utilizing programs and professionally trained individuals within our community.
Meet Our Team
Dawn Hennessey, Founder, Executive Director
Dawn Hennessey is the Founder and Executive Director of Faith Forward Inc. Our programs include Angel Arms Infant and Children Recovery Homes, and Project Stand. Dawn is also a mental health, family and children, and addiction therapist.
Dawn has more than 20 years of experience in counseling and nonprofit development. She is an established social entrepreneur. She holds a ministers licenses as well as a license in faith-based counseling, specializing in addiction. Currently Dawn is a counseling, speaking, and community engagement.
Dawn’s passion is to follow the call on her life, and to continue sharing hope with others. Dawn holds a Master’s degree in Counseling, and a Master’s in Christian Counseling. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Behavior Health. Dawn is happily married to her husband Rick and has eight wonderful children.
Founder, Executive Director
Rick Hennessey
Rick is the co founder of Faith forward ministries. He has a heart for service and individuals. He is a father of eight children and loving husband to Dawn.
Co-Founder
Matt Gross
Matthew Gross is a licensed minister and successful business owner. In 2014, after nearly thirty years in the residential construction industry, he left his business to pursue the call of God on his life as a pastor and attended Charis Bible College in Woodland Park, Colorado. Matthew earned an Associate’s degree in Biblical Studies as well as his certification in pastoral ministry and graduated with a 4.0 in May of 2017. Matthew has been involved in ministry since 1989, teaching children, youth, and adults the Word of God, leading worship, taking short term mission trips both domestic and abroad, as well as doing street evangelism. Matthew’s heart for people shines through his passion for preaching the gospel, teaching the Word, and helping people realize their full potential in Christ. Matthew currently resides in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and is the father of two sons.
Ministry Support Pastor
Joyce Sterling
Joyce has been working with Faith Forward since its inception. She and her husband were some of the first founding board members. She has had an extensive amount of experience in the human service field, serving individuals.
Center Coordinator, Pier Counseler
Allen Kern
Allen is a combat decorated Army veteran of 23 years. He served in the Gulf War with the 82nd airborne and in operation Iraqi freedom with the 28th infantry, earning the Purple Heart for injuries received in combat. Graduated from Seton Hill University. He has been involved in Faith Forward from the beginning serving as a counselor, social worker, and board member. He is dedicated to human services, and helping people in crisis.
Socail Worker, Seaton Hill University
Taylor West
Taylor has had 3 years experience in event and project management. She has worked with several organizations and individuals. She hopes to continue working in the human service and non-profit field.
Project Manager
Carolyn Harr
Carolyn's previous experience as a business owner and store manager have prepared her with the leadership skills needed to get things done. Having recently taken "semi-retirement", she's been able to devote more time to Angel Arms, following her passion for children, decorating, and serving others
Angel Arms Center Coordinator
Bonnie Guldenshuh
Bonnie comes to Faith Forward with more than 20 years of financial and administrative experience. She feels very blessed to be working with dawn and her staff to help them carry out their vision for making positive changes in people's lives.
Office Administrator
Morgan Queer
Morgan takes lead with all of our social media accounts. She keeps our website and Facebook pages up to date, creates promo videos, and assists with photography. Morgan is also involved in other areas of our program, helping wherever she is needed.
Social Media Executive Manager/Casework
Carlee West
Carlee helps manage our social media while assisting in other areas as needed. She is the loving mother of two cats, an avid reader, and Winston Churchill enthusiast.
Social Media Manager/Casework
Bonnie Harris
Bonnie has had a lifetime of experience planning events and social gatherings. She is dedicated to Faith Forward and the people we serve.
Special Events, Fundraising