When she's not cheering on the latest resident accomplishment or dispersing words of encouragement, Pam is responsible for creating the vision and outlining the values of A Friend's House. She fosters a Christ-centered, cooperative work environment and promotes the ministry of A Friend’s House.

A native of Wells County, Indiana, Pam was the director of the crisis pregnancy resource center from which A Friend's House grew. She also worked at an adoption agency for 12 years, helping women make adoption plans, assisting with the placement of children, and helping adoptive parents through the adoption process.

Pam is a firm believer in tough love and hard work, but she makes sure the residents have fun along the way. Her favorite part of the process, she says, is "when a woman lets a little part of the wall down and starts trusting me - trusting us as a staff. That's when they can really begin to heal, to grow, and to discover a hopeful future."

Email: pam@afriendshouse.net

Susan Dettmer brings professionalism and experience to A Friend's House, offering weekly therapy to each resident and advice to our staff. She is a licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Nurse with training in family therapy.

Sue has a bachelor's degree from the University of Saint Francis and a master's degree from the Indiana University School of Social Work.

She has worked with individuals and families in private practice and agencies in the Fort Wayne area for the past 17 years.

As our advocate director, Carla's sense of humor and firm but caring guidance lead residents to challenge themselves, as well as each other and the staff. Carla oversees housecleaning routines as well as conducts morning class sessions, leads character-building programs, and encourages daily goal setting and achievement.

Carla is a registered nurse with a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Saint Francis. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, a nursing honor society.

Carla enjoys helping young women find the success and value within themselves that they did not know existed. Carla has a maturity well beyond her age and a genuine, sincere desire to help our residents. She is willing to wholeheartedly invest her life in theirs - a love that allows her commitment to Jesus to shine through. Carla says, "Helping the women learn who they are in the sight of their Creator provides wonder and curiosity and motivation."

Email: carla@afriendshouse.net

Abbie offers energy and compassion to our residents as the evening advocate, where she promotes a healthy lifestyle and leads evening book studies, prayer groups, and study time. She also facilitates the articulation of long-term goals for each resident, and works with each woman to ensure she stays on track to achieve those goals.

Abbie has an associate's degree in social welfare and a bachelor's degree in psychology, both from the University of Saint Francis.

Abbie says, "When I imagined what I wanted to do with my degree, I never thought I'd find it all in one place. But A Friend's House has it all - an interactive, supportive atmosphere where the staff and residents feel like family; the chance to assist women making positive changes in their lives; and, most importantly, the ability to rely on and teach about God as part of that process."

Email: abbie@afriendshouse.net