At the 47th Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors of Maternal and Family Health Services, we will be honoring Kristen Topolski with the Rose Allan Tucker Award. Each year, the Rose Allan Tucker Award is presented to a distinguished individual who embodies the tremendous character of the award’s namesake. Rose Allan Tucker was a champion for women’s health in our community, devoting her life to working to improve access and care to women in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Kristen Topolski exemplifies this compassionate spirit, especially through her innovative efforts for both Ruth’s place and Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania. Ms. Topolski established Ruth’s Place, a local women’s shelter, with the hope to provide basic necessities like food and shelter to women in need in Northeast Pennsylvania; the shelter goes far beyond those basic necessities, however, providing women with access to healthcare and resources to help them obtain employment and permanent housing.
Through the creation and management of the only women’s shelter in Luzerne County, Kristen Topolski revealed her altruistic drive that motivates her to create new ways to help families in our community. She continued this mission by becoming Director of Wilkes-Barre Programming at Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania. In her leadership role as a director, Ms. Topolski is challenged to find new opportunities to make a difference in the lives of local children and families. Programs she has developed include housing support, a food pantry, and resources for pregnant and new mothers.
Thank you Kristen for your hard work and dedication to the women and children of Northeast Pennsylvania, and congratulations!