Our team is made from 100% volunteers

Valerie Felici

Valerie's commitment to Never Surrender Hope is deeply personal. After navigating her son’s battle with substance use disorder,

she co-founded Never Surrender Hope in 2017 to ensure that no family feels alone, unheard, or without guidance. Valerie is passionate about reducing stigma, promoting harm reduction, supporting families, and advocating for compassionate, informed approaches to substance use and mental health.

In 2019 Valerie ultimately experienced the devastating loss of her son, Ned, to an overdose. She continues to honor her son's memory through advocacy, outreach, and building spaces where all can thrive. She wants people to know that even in the darkest moments, hope is always there. 

    Sally Carr

Raised in Bucks County, she has lived and raised her three children there, remaining deeply committed to her community.

Her journey began as a volunteer traveling to the streets of Philadelphia, offering small but meaningful gestures—food, socks, and, most importantly, a compassionate, judgment-free presence to those experiencing homelessness and addiction. This work was deeply personal, as her then 17-year-old son was struggling with substance use disorder. Determined to better understand the challenges so many families face, she immersed herself in outreach and education.

Alongside a group of extraordinary women who shared her passion, she helped form what would become Never Surrender Hope, a nonprofit rooted in the belief that no one is beyond hope. Over the years, she has witnessed many individuals achieve sobriety—including her son, who is now 36 and in recovery. She has also stood beside families grieving unimaginable losses.

Sally remains steadfast in her commitment to never surrender hope—for every individual fighting for recovery and for every family walking this journey.

Cathy Conner

Cathy is one of the compassionate forces behind Never Surrender Hope, a founder, board member, and unwavering advocate for individuals and families impacted by substance use disorder.

Cathy’s journey with NSH began during a deeply personal chapter of her life, when her own family was facing the painful realities of addiction. What started as a search for support evolved into a lifelong commitment to helping others find hope, resources, and connection. Today, Cathy is profoundly grateful to share that her son is in recovery — a truth that continues to shape her purpose.

As a dedicated leader in street outreach, Cathy has spent countless hours meeting people where they are, offering not only guidance into detox and treatment, but something equally powerful: compassion without judgment. She believes that real change happens through human connection, consistency, and the reminder that no one is beyond help.

Linda Simon

Linda Simon has been part of NSH since its very beginning. What started as a small circle of women supporting one another through the challenges of loving someone with substance use disorder eventually became Never Surrender Hope in 2017.

Linda first sought out the group while searching for guidance and understanding during her son’s struggle with addiction. In NSH, she found not only support, but connection, compassion, and a renewed sense of hope.

Having walked through both heartbreak and healing, Linda brings empathy, honesty, and deep understanding to her role. She is known for being a thoughtful, steady presence and, above all, a great listener. Linda openly shares that her journey included anger, which she later recognized as grief and sadness — a realization that shaped her perspective and strengthened her compassion for others.

Through NSH and the relationships she has built along the way, including with individuals met through street outreach, Linda continues to give back and support families facing similar battles.

Pat Kane

Pat's journey with Never Surrender Hope began on a bitterly cold weekend in 2014  when she responded to a Facebook post from a mom collecting blankets for people living on the streets of Kensington. The idea of someone being left too brave the cold streets deeply affected her so she gathered what she could and met her in a parking lot. The mother shared the story of her son who was struggling with substance use and living on the streets. That moment was an awakening for Pat, every person out there was someone’s child.

It was through volunteering that Pat met Valerie, and their little group remained as a steady presence. Several years later, in 2017,Never Surrender Hope was officially formed, and Pat played a major part from the beginning.  Pat has built meaningful relationships with parents and those struggling, lovingly calling the friends she has made during her outreach as her “FOTS” (Friends on the Streets).

Pat says serving her community has been an incredible honor and she is commitment to choosing compassion and hope always.

Trish Hampton

Trish serves on the Board of Directors of Never Surrender Hope and is proudly one of its Co-Founders. In 2017, following a loved one’s experience with substance use disorder, Trish found a small group of ladies while searching for guidance and support. What began as a personal journey quickly grew into a deep commitment, as she witnessed firsthand the organization’s unwavering dedication to providing accessible, compassionate support for both individuals and families.

Inspired by the stigma-free environment and the power of connection, Trish became instrumental in helping build the foundation of Never Surrender Hope. She believes strongly in outreach rooted in empathy, dignity, and understanding, values that continue to guide her work and the mission of NSH every day.

Trish brings passion to everything she does, including leading a dedicated subcommittee that prepares and serves homemade meals at local shelters. Through this work, she helps ensure individuals feel not only nourished, but cared for, valued, and supported.

Marissa Felici

Marissa Felici is a proud Co-Founder and dedicated member of the Board of Directors of Never Surrender Hope. Her journey with NSH began from a deeply personal place — walking alongside her brother through his battle with substance use disorder.

As someone who was incredibly close to her brother, Marissa witnessed firsthand the emotional toll addiction takes on an entire family. During the periods when her brother experienced homelessness in Kensington, she felt a powerful pull to become involved, determined to find ways to support him while also helping other families facing similar struggles.

When conversations began about forming an official nonprofit, Marissa knew immediately she wanted to be part of building something meaningful. Since then, she has become known for her unwavering willingness to jump in wherever needed — from street outreach and community support to fundraising efforts and behind-the-scenes work. Her compassion, reliability, and heart have made her a true staple of Never Surrender Hope.

Marissa brings an especially important perspective to NSH: the sibling experience. Siblings are often overlooked in conversations surrounding substance use, yet they carry a profound and lasting impact. Through her voice and advocacy, Marissa helps ensure those experiences are seen, acknowledged, and supported.

After losing her brother to an overdose in 2019, Marissa’s commitment to helping others grew even stronger. She channels her grief into purpose, working to bring hope, understanding, and connection to individuals and families — especially siblings — navigating the pain of addiction and loss.

Marissa remains devoted to helping in every way possible, honoring her brother’s memory through service, compassion, and hope.

Scott Kilpatrick

Scott Kilpatrick has been a dedicated member of Never Surrender Hope since 2019. His connection to the organization was born from profound personal loss, after he and Valerie Felici experienced the heartbreaking reality of losing their sons just two months apart to overdoses.

Through collaborating with Valerie on a Northeast Times article addressing the stigma surrounding substance use disorder, Scott witnessed firsthand the passion, strength, and determination that drive NSH’s mission. Inspired by that experience, he chose to become involved — seeking not only a healthier path through his own grief, but also an opportunity to support others navigating the devastating impact of addiction.

Scott deeply believes in the heart of Never Surrender Hope: people with lived experience helping others with compassion, understanding, and no expectations in return. He values the organization’s commitment to ensuring that no individual or family feels alone in their struggle.

As a father who has endured unimaginable loss, Scott brings an essential and powerful voice to NSH. He advocates especially for fathers, encouraging them to stand up, speak openly, and engage in conversations about addiction and grief. Scott believes that when more people find the courage to speak, more people are willing to listen — and when people listen, lives can be saved.

https://northeasttimes.com/2019/03/27/the-reality-of-addiction/

Elena Gilchrist

Elena is a deeply valued member of the Board of Directors, known for her unwavering compassion and her readiness to step in wherever help is needed. She is loved and respected by fellow board members, and her generosity, strength, and insight leave a lasting impact on the organization.

Elena’s journey into advocacy began in the fall of 2009, just months before her granddaughter was born, when her son bravely shared that he was struggling with addiction. Although she initially felt relief that he had spoken the truth, Elena soon found herself facing a world she knew little about. Determined to help, she supported him through detox and rehabilitation, believing recovery would be simple. Like many families, she learned it was not.

Through moments of heartbreak, fear, and isolation, Elena carried the weight of stigma and silence. What once felt like a secret gradually became a source of purpose. As her son fought for sobriety, Elena found her voice, transforming pain into advocacy, courage, and open conversation.

Recovery brought both challenges and triumphs. Today, Elena proudly celebrates her son’s nine years of sobriety, a milestone that reflects resilience, hope, and unconditional love.

Elena found Never Surrender Hope by coincidence, but quickly recognized it as a place of understanding and connection. Within this community, she felt heard, supported, and no longer alone. Elena states serving on the Board of Directors is both an honor and a continuation of her commitment to supporting individuals and families navigating substance use disorder.