Cynthia is our lead coach. She has worked in social work since 1979 in various programs, assisting people over the age of 60 for most of these years. She has been seen all over El Paso and Teller counties doing many projects for the PEARLS program.
Her passions are helping families to understand and work with Dementias, including Alzheimers, while caring for themselves and encouraging the PEARLS participants to enjoy life to the fullest.
Cynthia enjoys coming to the home of folks in El Paso County, including all areas of the county. There is no home to far to go to.
In her spare time, she volunteers with the Area Agency on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association. When not doing things to help others she cares for her 150+ house plants and spends time with her husband and adult children.
Dave Margiotta, a psychologist, has been with us from the beginning and is our clinical supervisor. He earned his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the Colorado School of Professional Psychology. Licensed in the state of Colorado, Dr. Margiotta has worked in the fields of clinical, forensic, and geriatric psychology.
He is retired from the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo and currently works part-time at the Family Care Center in Colorado Springs, in addition to his role at PEARLS. He has a passion for the intersection of psychology and spirituality and personnel growth in later life.
Molly K. is a Nurse Practitioner at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo. She too has been with us since our opening day. She helps us in keeping an eye on participants medications, to be sure they are not working against each other.
Vickie is our newest coach. She will be working in the Teller County and western El Paso County areas.
Carrie's path to joining the PEARLS Program includes years as a community volunteer and employment in both the business and nonprofit sectors. After earning an MSW, Carrie has worked for Diversus Health, Disability Services of Colorado, the PPACG Area Agency on Aging and The Independence Center, always with the goal of helping others.
Roberta was one of our early participants in the PEARLS program. Now, as a volunteer, she co-leads the Post-PEARLS Connect part of our program with Cynthia on the second Tuesdays of the month from 3:00-4:30.
She brings many strengths to the program including facilitating Circle Talk, a program which strives to help folks 60+ create new friendships.
Vinnie truly enjoys being a part of the PEARLS team, where each staff member has a genuine care for the well-being of seniors. The role of PEARLS administrator/compliance officer fits well with her 21 years of experience as a Colorado licensed realtor., where her focus has been on meeting the unique needs of seniors and their families. Similar to our PEARLS coaches, she strives to be a supportive and empowering advocate.
In her free time, she enjoys taking RV trips with her husband, cooking with her “foodie” adult daughters and spending time with her young granddaughter.
