New Light Inc

New Light Inc. received its initial license from the Office of Developmental Programs on January 26, 2009. Our headquarters are based in Shippenville, a small town in northwestern Pennsylvania.

The agency includes: Debra Andreas – Executive Director, Leslie Randolph – Controller, Heather McHenry – Director of Human Resources. Though we have only been in business for five years, the experience of our leaders in their respective areas in the service field exceeds 100 years combined.

Our agency currently supports 40 individuals in community living arrangements throughout Clarion, Armstrong, Indiana, Clearfield and Jefferson counties.Additionally, we have provided both planned and emergency respite services for many individuals and counties throughout the state. The home counties of the people we serve include Philadelphia, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Franklin, Clearfield, Jefferson, Indiana, Armstrong, Huntington, Mifflin, Juniata, Bedford, Somerset, Clarion, Forest, and Mercer.

The core belief of New Light is most concisely expressed in its motto, “Presuming Intellect, Believing Potential, Witnessing Brilliance”. Our approach to supporting people is rooted in building relationships and creating environments where people can feel heard, respected, safe, and behavior is understood as communication, not a problem to be modified or extinguished. By presuming intellect and believing in people’s potential, we make every effort to recognize and understand communication in whatever form it is delivered.

We then use what we learn to develop a support team and an environment to meet the unique needs of the individual. Available resources are always used creatively to support the individual in building a life that they value. It is the difference between our agency and many others.

Many people speak of their belief in Positive Approaches but a group that brings that philosophy to life in the way this agency does is a rare find in the field of human services. County agencies across the state have come to know that this is the agency to call when no other agency is willing to serve someone. 

We will always say “Yes” no matter how challenging or desperate a person’s circumstances. Once we commit to serving a person, we stay committed no matter how difficult the task becomes. Through the belief and application of this philosophy and approach, the people we serve through New Light are and will continue to be free from restraints and restrictive procedure.They will be unconditionally supported in their homes with dignity, respect and love. This is our commitment at New Light.