Board of Directors
Gerald Jones
President
Gerry became involved with Chapel House responding to ad in the Penny Saver looking for volunteers. Gerry volunteered at the emergency shelter and is now Chapel House’s longest serving board member.
Gerry is the Superintendent of the Cayuga Correctional Facility and believes in second chances. Gerry is actively leading Chapel House’s effort to develop new housing opportunities for those we serve including a new 50-bed emergency shelter.
Tim Donovan
Vice President
Tim has a distinguished record of community service. Tim has served as a volunteer for numerous community organizations such as the Salvation Army, Chapel House, the Cayuga Seneca Community Action Program, Human Services Coalition, Auburn Public Theater, ARISE, Auburn Community Hospital, HEAL, Drug Court, Recovery Counseling Services, Unity House of Cayuga County, Cayuga County Jail, Auburn Beatification Commission, IGNITE, Cayuga County Homeless Task Force, Retired Senior and Volunteer Program. Tim is an active member of the Auburn and Skaneateles Rotary Clubs, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Knights of Columbus, and Wednesday Morning Round Table. Tim is a graduate of Leadership Cayuga, a contributor to The Citizen and an advocate for people with substance abuse and mental health issues. Tim has been recognized for his service receiving many local awards including the Fred Atkins Community Service Award, the Suzanne Lehtonen Community Action Visions and Values Award, the Gianettino and Petheybridge Advocate of the Year Award, and New York State Office of the Aging Senior Citizen of the Year Award. Tim serves on a number of local boards and committees and has been involved with Chapel House from the very beginning. Tim is a peer specialist who is actively working to obtain his Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse certification. Tim has more than sixteen years’ sobriety and giving back is a significant part of his recovery program.
James Breslin
Secretary
James has more than twenty-five years of distinguished service helping individuals with disabilities reach their full potential. Mr. Breslin is a homeless expert who served as the Chair of the Broome County Homeless Coalition (2005-2007) and Chair of the City of Auburn/Cayuga County Homeless Taskforce (2010-2016).
Mr. Breslin has helped design and implement new programs in Auburn, Binghamton, Ithaca and Syracuse. Mr. Breslin serves as the Chief Operations Officer of the E. John Gavras Center who is also a licensed New York State attorney who honorably served in the United States Army Reserves and has been a fierce advocate for disabled veterans.
Danielle Wright
Treasurer
Daniele is an experienced Management Professional and Skilled Chief Financial Officer with a demonstrated history of accomplishments working in healthcare, special education and not-for profit sectors. Wright has a proven track record of over twenty years leading not-for-profit organizations as well as ensuring the financial health of the entities. She has served as the Chief Financial Officer at the Gavras Center for 15 years before being promoted to the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer position in 2015.
Danielle is known for her high integrity and management capabilities. As an executive director, she has an exceptional skill that allows her to provide a vision for the organization while positively influencing others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization. Her inspiration comes from her daughters and the children the Gavras Center supports on a daily basis. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their daughters and being entertained by their two rescue dogs and three rescue cats.
Wright has a MBA focused in Economic Crime & Fraud Management from Utica College where she graduated with a 4.0, and a Bachelor of Science in Economic Crime & Financial Investigation from Utica College where she graduated magna cum laude. Danielle also holds degrees in Finance and Accounting from Empire State College. She is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) as well as a Notary Public. She is involved in numerous boards; including the Financial Managers Association of New York State where she serves as the Corporate Treasurer, the Financial Managers Association of Rehab Organizations, Inc. Central Division where she also serves in the Treasurer role. Danielle has served as the Treasurer of the Auburn YMCA board, and served on the finance committee as a board manager for LIFEPlan CCO. Danielle is currently the Treasurer for Chapel House (Cayuga County’s largest homeless service provider). Her passion emanates from the opportunity to work every day to help improve the lives of children and adults in her community.
Steve Weldon
Veteran Representative
Steve has a background in public service and joined the Chapel House Board of Directors to help end veteran homelessness in Cayuga County. Steve served with distinction as a Marine in Vietnam as a rifleman who was wounded in combat. Steve acts as the Chapel House Veteran Representative on the Board of Directors working with veterans and veteran groups. Steve is a retired New York State teacher who believes strongly in education and life-long learning.
Christine Bickal
Member
Christine is an Emergency Services Caseworker for Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes helping individuals and families often in crisis situations find the help they need. Christine is a difference maker who is both personally and professionally committed to helping the less fortunate and making our community a better place. Christine has seen homelessness as a significant issue in our community for some time and joined the Chapel House Board of Directors in 2022 to become part of the solution.
