Somerville Resident To Lead 20th Annual Wilderness Heals Pledge Hike

The Elizabeth Stone House in Roxbury, which provides residential and community-based services to individuals and families affected by domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health issues and homelessness, has appointed two of its employees to lead its annual pledge hike. Wilderness Heals is a three-day, all-women hike through New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

Jessica Cook of Somerville has been named the Wilderness Heals Coordinator based on her long-term involvement with the hike. Cook has participated in the hike for the past six years serving as a volunteer team leader for five years and Assistant Coordinator of Events for the last two years. Cook is responsible for coordinating training hikes, selecting the hiking trails, working with team leaders and other volunteers, and all logistics related to hiking.

In additional to her role as the Wilderness Heals Coordinator, Cook is a social studies teacher at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School and is working on her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Boston University.

Sam Schultz of Jamaica Plain is the Development/Operations Administrator at the Elizabeth Stone House and is responsible for the in-office administrative duties related to the hike, including printed materials, communications, and receiving, recording and acknowledging all donations.

Schultz brings four years of event planning, marketing and administrative experience in both the nonprofit and business sectors the to the Elizabeth Stone House. He has a bachelor’s degree in sociology service learning from Bryant University.

The Wilderness Heals pledge hike, taking place July 17-19, 2015, offers a variety of trails so both novice and experienced hikers can take part in this life affirming event.

To register or learn more log onto: www.elizabethstone.org/wilderness-heals.