DONNA SCRAFANO

Masters in Human Services



I am currently, a retired Human Services Professional. I hold a Master’s Degree in Human Services. My Professional years of employment were, predominantly,  in Victim’s Services. In the State of NJ. My background includes, but is not limited  to, providing therapeutic services to individuals who suffer from traumatic events. Trauma such as  domestic violence and sexual assault. In addition to providing individual and group therapy, I operated a Safe House for women and their children, who were fleeing from abuse. I also managed programs such as Legal Advocacy, Children’s Services, Counseling Services, Empowerment Groups, Diversity Training, Substance Abuse and Human Trafficking that were a part of the Safe House. In addition to being employed by Victim Services, I was a Social Worker in the Head Start Program, also in the State of NJ.

I took early retirement, in order to care for my father. As he could no longer be unsupervised. During the care giving of my father, I realized that it was really important to find support and have conversations with people experiencing like challenges. I believe I transferred my desire to assist victims of abuse to finding a way to support and empower caregivers. Honestly, if someone would have asked me to facilitate a caregiver group, five years prior to my own care-giving experiences, I wouldn’t have thought that I had the skills. But as it turns out, this “Human” Services Professional enjoys helping all populations. Although my first love and still my passion is to empower women, again, I find it rewarding to assist all who are struggling through life’s challenges. And quite frankly, most of the caregivers I’ve assisted were, indeed, women. A different form of empowerment.

I also found a new love, following retirement. I was hired as a writer for an on line magazine, for people 40 years, plus. I’ve had many articles published in Silversage Magazine. Unfortunately, the magazine no longer exists. Therefore, I’m currently working on a book. On a personal note, I have three adult children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Therefore, I keep myself really busy. I work towards being healthy by walking every day, swimming three days a week, eating healthy, and avoiding unnecessary stress. I also have good friends that I spend quality time with. Make no mistake though, I also enjoy spending individual time with myself and my pup.
I find a new purpose, everyday, to be on this earth. I refuse to look at turning 70 as “old.” On the contrary, I look at it as a possibility for new beginnings, that some are not afforded. I don’t take blessings for granite.