“Creating Community for Kids Since 1981”
Administration & Office
10+
years
Wanda Gonzalez-Bortzel: Executive Director
Wanda grew up in Brooklyn, NY and spent her teenage years in Carraizo, Puerto Rico. She graduated from Goshen College with a BA in Hispanic Ministries and lives in New Holland with her husband, Mike. Wanda loves to spend time with her grandchildren and believes children are a blessing because they teach us how to love unconditionally.
30+
years
Jennifer Morales: Program Director
Jen was raised in East Earl and graduated from Garden Spot High School. She earned her Associates degree in Early Care and Education at Harrisburg Area Community College. Jen has worked at the Center since 1993 and has a passion for working with children that have varying needs. She is mother to three children - Karina, Kylah and Evan - and four fur babies. Her favorite thing about working with children is their innocence, acceptance and unconditional love for others.
Mercedes Lauver: Administrative Assistant
Mercedes was raised in historic Columbia PA with her grandmother. She attended Milton Hershey School for 7 years and graduated from high school in 2010. She also graduated from Lancaster County Career & Technology Center in 2010. She completed the Medical Administrative Assistant course. Over the years, Mercedes has gained a lot of experience while working as a Nanny for multiple families. She also has a lot of office/medical experience from working in the medical field, making her a great asset to NHELC. Mercedes has 4 children Jensen, Remy, Legend, and Lijah. They have a kitty named Fruit Snack and a miniature Dachshund named Diesel.
2
years
15+
years
Lisa Good: Scheduling
Lisa was born and raised in Leola. Two weeks after graduating from Conestoga Valley HS and CTC, she started working here at the center. Lisa and her husband Sean have two sons, Noah & Jake, who she later stayed home with while caring for other children in her home. Eventually, when the boys were both in school full time, Lisa began working in the Emotional Support classroom at New Holland Elementary School. After nine years at the Elementary School, she then transferred to the High School ES room for another three years. Once both of her boys graduated, she chose to come back here to the center. Along her journey, she has taken a few college courses in early childhood and has accomplished many trainings. She loves playing with the children, engaging in conversations with them and watching them grow into their individual personalities. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys the outdoors; hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, taking pictures, and riding bike with her family and their dog, Daisy. More recently, she loves spending time with her granddaughter.
Ali Garcia: Development Officer
Ali grew up in Lancaster and graduated summa cum laude from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, the nation's first historically black university. For over a decade, she managed communications and development initiatives for nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia, Connecticut, and New York City. After earning her master of public administration degree from New York University, she returned to Lancaster County and worked in event management and research roles. Ali lives with her husband, two children, and two cats in Lancaster City. Ali and her children are happy that they have found a loving and inclusive learning environment at New Holland Early Learning Center.