Center for Spiritual Care

Debbie Avery, a dynamic presence at St. Francis Manor, brings wide non-profit experience to the board. She transformed the operations of the Cortez Cultural Center in Colorado, completely turning around its financial positioning at the same time she strengthened its program and its reputation in the community. She went on to perform similar feats at the St. Thomas Historical Trust in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She is on the board of Main Street Vero Beach as one of their officers and is Secretary of Rotary Club of Vero Beach Sunrise.

Robert Howlett, Ed.D., whose professional life revolved around education and who is a former New Jersey Superintendent of Schools, also has focused for many years on spirituality. He holds certificates in Pastoral Studies from the Blanton-Peale Institute and in Spiritual Direction from the Archdiocese of Newark. He is an experienced retreat director and has presented workshops and lectured on various aspects of spirituality throughout the Northeast and on the West Coast. His degrees are from Maryknoll, Hofstra and Nova University.

Allan Teger, Ph.D., brings to the Board long experience in academe, administration and management, and the arts. His degrees are from Lafayette, Delaware and SUNY-Buffalo. He taught psychology at Boston and Princeton Universities and the University of Pennsylvania before becoming Social and Development Psychology Program Director at the National Science Foundation. His book, Too Much Invested to Quit (Pergamon Press) deals with conflict theory. He is the former Chairman of the psychology staff of HELP Inc, the community clinic in Philadelphia. For many years, he has been a full-time artist, and has shown his photographs in juried shows and galleries throughout the United States and abroad.

Charlotte 'Shotsi' Cain Lajoie is the proud mother of three adult sons. She is a  psychological educator and consulting coach as well as a practicing psychotherapist since 2005,. She is an adjunct professor in  business and human services in the undergraduate degree' and in counseling in postgraduate degree, She currently serives on the Indian River Rowing Club/s board of directors.  Served on the Samaritan Center Board and Catholic Charities advisory board.

Debbie Padnuk has been teaching yoga & meditation since 1998. She is certified in Integrative Restoration, IYT Yogatherapy & she is a Registered Nurse in the state of Florida. After moving to Vero in 2016, she has volunteered with Hope Hospice, Whole Family Health Center, Sunrise Rotary Community Corp & The Center for Spiritual Care. Debbie is deeply appreciative of the Center’s programs for well-being, community & the arts.

Melanie Atkins brings a varied pallet of experience to the Center. She holds advanced degrees in Studio Art and a career of teaching and unique experiences in the Hospitality Industry.  For the past 15 years, she has dedicated her attention to recovery programs and personal self-awareness.  She believes that building the bonds of community are the salvation for the emotional health of our society; programs that encourage inclusiveness and commonality are the venue.  

Meg Hickey moved to Vero Beach from Portland, Maine over 3 years ago and has been in Real Estate her whole life, co-owned a Mortgage brokerage company with her husband for 18 years and has bought and renovated real estate in Vero Beach for the last 3 years.  She and her son Mike have formed the M&M Group of RE/MAX Associated Realty and are helping others buy and sell real estate in the Vero Beach and Sebastian areas.  She is a member of the Indian River Chamber of Commerce and the Exchange of Vero.  She love tennis and sings in a local band called Riptide.  She loves all the classes and events that the Center has put on over the years and is passionate about her spiritual practices.

Carol Ludwig, spiritual director, supervisor, teacher and retreat leader, presents widely in the U.S. and overseas. She served on SDI’s Coordinating Council (2001-07) and is a Presence Editorial Review panelist. Carol was formed in the contemplative-evocative style of spiritual direction through the Washington Theological Union, the Shalem Institute and Mercy Center. Carol has served on the faculties of Audire, Loyola (New Orleans) University, Mercy Center, Sacred Heart University and the Shalem Institute.

Richard Schlitt is a certified spiritual director and local businessman. He has done extensive work with troubled youth and youth mission projects. He has facilitated men’s and parenting groups and currently serves as Director of Youth Ministry for Youth On a Mission in Vero Beach. He is a local painting contractor and has lived in Vero Beach most of his life.