When her children became adults and were on their own, she decided to go back to school to earn a degree in human services and took entry jobs working with the homeless population and those addicted to drugs and alcohol. During her early college career, she worked at Med-Mark Cherry Hill Treatment Center in Baltimore from 2018 – 2019; Dreamlife Treatment (IOP) Program from 2019 -2021; and the PHA Treatment (IOP) Program. 

           Charity secured case management employment at the Fouse Center during her internship at Arundel House OF Hope Glen Burnie in 2017. She then became program Director at the Day Resource Center in 2021, and still manages the Fouse Center.

 While working in these programs she added to my BA degree in Humanitarian Services a Certificate in Drug and Addiction Counseling from Anne Arundel Community College (2016), a Certificates in Human Service and Drugs Addiction from Anne Arundel Community College (2017). AS in human service from Anne Arundel Community College (2018), and another AS in Drug and Addiction Counseling from Anne Arundel Community College (2018). 

After these early accomplishments, she obtained her ADT Trainees’ License with the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors & Therapists in 2018 and established her personal goal to start her own private practice to serve the disenfranchised as a licensed professional counselor. So, Charity then earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2020 and now graduate with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Charity was honored with my induction into the Chi Sigma Iota International Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society (CSI) for my academic performance. 

Charity is now in the position to do what she set out to do as to start her own program to help the oppressed and disenfranchised.  now proudly announce the opening of “Charity’s New Beginnings” a CARF Accredited program certified by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health for those who suffer from mental illness and substance. 

        Charity is non-judgmental, and has passion for helping her clients overcome their struggles.

Dr. Paul F. Giannandrea was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Johns Hopkins University in 1975 with a BA in Natural Sciences and an AOA honors graduate in 1979 from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He completed a flexible internship at Bethesda Naval Hospital in 1980 and a psychiatry residency at Bethesda Naval Hospital in 1983, after his chief residency year. Dr. Giannandrea had additional training in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy from the Washington School of Psychiatry, completing their 2- year program in 1983.

Dr. Giannandrea then served in the U.S. Navy until 1987. He was stationed for 4 years with the Submarine Force in New London, Connecticut where he trained navy corpsmen in behavioral health and served as chairman of the Bioethics Review Committee, a multidisciplinary group that in 1985 was one of the first developed by any hospital in the country, large or small. Dr. Giannandrea screened Submarine School candidates for mental fitness to perform submarine duty and worked closely with the submarine commands in consultation for their behavioral health questions. He received two Navy Commendation Medals for his work: one from both the line command and the other from the clinical hospital command. Dr. Giannandrea was honorably discharged in 1987 from active duty in the USN and in 1989 from the US Navy Reserves. 

After working in a private multidisciplinary group practice from 1987-1991, Dr. Giannandrea returned to the University of Maryland School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry. He also became a clinical faculty member of the military medical school (USUHS) in 1990. While at the University of Maryland, Dr. Giannandrea directed the Drug Dependency Program at the VA Medical Center from 1992-4. He directed and integrated both the drug free and methadone maintenance components.

In 1994 Dr. Giannandrea left the VA Medical Center to direct the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Outpatient clinic – which became a major center for training psychiatry residents and was the base for the outpatient chief resident. Dr. Giannandrea transitioned the clinic into a functioning multidisciplinary group practice model serving the needs of the surrounding West Baltimore community.

After 11 years of training psychiatry residents in this clinic, he left to become the medical director of Pathways Treatment Center in Annapolis, a residential treatment program for adolescents and adults with chemical dependence. When he started as medical director, like other 12 step oriented residential programs, it struggled to financially survive the managed care era. He helped develop a multiple level of care system to smoothly transition patients from higher to lower levels of care flexibly and based on a comprehensive treatment plan that worked well with managed care case managers to affect not only quality care but also within an efficient and financially favorable system. Dr. Giannandrea developed an intensive outpatient program for adults that incorporated a well-received “Health and Recovery “program that served to take a proactive and health-oriented approach to recovery from chemical dependence. In 2007, Pathways became a center for training Walter Reed Army Medical Center child psychiatry residents in adolescent addiction treatment.

Back at the University, Dr. Giannandrea became the first medical director of the practice association in 1996 and over the next 10 years developed a psychiatric group practice to serve the Baltimore campus. It became the primary referral source in conjunction with the development of an independent practice of therapists to support the hospital’s EAP and behavioral health plans and later the EAP for the Maryland State employees on campus. Through this practice network, the department of psychiatry was repeatedly able to successfully compete with managed care organizations for the behavioral health and EAP contracts with University of Maryland Medical System.

Dr. Giannandrea retired from University of Maryland in 2010 to continue his interests in the treatment of individuals recovering from chemical and non-chemical addictions. As part of this effort, he developed an outpatient group program in “Health and Recovery” to help supplement patient’s current treatment interventions for their addictions. Between 2019 and 2023, Dr., Giannandrea served as the medical director of Maryland House Detox. There he developed an inpatient program for detoxification and stabilization of chemically dependent individuals. 

As the Director of Housing at Charity’s New Beginnings my goal is to ensure that every client has a safe and stable environment to ensure their full recovery and beat their addiction. For the past 11 years has worked in the field of Corrections and have seen how an untreated addiction can truly ruin a person’s life. Jared spends most of his time in Community Corrections where he supervised individuals who had court ordered Community Service. Only together can we beat the war on drug and substance addictions and the terrible toll they have taken on society. Jared is here to ensure you are successful in your journey and to assist you with any of your housing needs and concerns.  

Education- Associate of Arts – Criminal Justice

Associates of Arts, Criminal Justice: May 2017 from Anne Arundel Community College a Bachelor of Arts, Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJS), May 2019. University of Maryland, College Park. Reine has a decade of experience in Public Safety, and decided to go back to school for a career change. She earned an Associate degree, Addiction Counseling, May 2023, Anne Arundel Community ADT- Alcohol and Drug Trainee, 2022, Maryland Department of Health, and begin working in field of helping others. Reine combines her education with practical experience to provide compassionate and effective counseling, she develops individualized plans, and advocates for her client’s right. Reine's commitment to empowering clients and making a positive impact is gratifying. She approaches clients with empathy and non-judgment during challenging phases of their lives to assist them in overcoming obstacles, gaining perspective, and setting objectives. She is dedicated to comprehending her clients' worries and working together to enhance their overall well-being. Reine specialized in Motivational Interviewing and Person Center Theory. But she also uses a diverse array of therapeutic techniques, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Reality Therapy. She finds satisfaction in working with adult clients aged 18 and up on a variety of concerns. Counseling is her second career following over a decade of experience in Public Safety.

Currently, Adjutant General Officer (HR Manager) Basic Officer Leader’s Course 

Fort Jackson, SC, AUG 2020. Advance Individual Training in Human Resource Specialist Fort Jackson, SC, OCT 2015.

Laura earned her Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Public Policy. 

Bowie States University Bowie, MD, MAY 2020. Bachelor of Cybersecurity Management and Policy with a minor in Homeland Security. The University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD, MAY 2018. An Associate of Homeland Security Management Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MD MAY 2014

Laura is a Human Resources Manager with ten years of experience planning, coordinating, and directing the administrative functions of Federal and corporate organizations. She oversees the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff; consults with top executives on strategic planning; and serves as a link between the Charity’s New Beginning’s management and its employees. She looks forward to welcoming New Beginnings into the Charity Family. 

Penny Gauer, Ph.D., LCPC, began her career in Health Systems Management, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Baltimore in 2008 and was awarded Upsilon Phi Delta Charter Member honor society in Health Systems Management. She worked as the Manager of the Dental Department at Mercy Medical Center from 1999 until 2016, when she saw the need to pursue a career in Addictions Counseling to assist others struggling with illicit substances and in 2011, she graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Master of Science Degree in Addictions Counseling. In addition, she noticed other symptoms of individuals with substance abuse who were suffering from Co-Occurring disorders and went back to school to complete a second master’s and in 2016 graduated with a Master of Science Degree in Professional Counseling that enabled her to treat the whole person that led to a successful recovery. During that time, Dr. Gauer was involved with the prison ministry for the Baptist Convention Center of Maryland, helping inmates’ family members with resources while their loved ones were incarcerated and visiting the men and female prisons. In 2018 she received her Doctor of Theology in Counseling and Behavior Health from Family Bible Ministries University, Catonsville, Maryland, which was accepted by the Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.  Dr. Gauer later moved into Mental health as a therapist treating clients of all ages, with the youngest client being 6 years old. Her expertise was in the areas of PTSD, Bipolar, ADHD, anxiety, depression, Schizophrenia, crisis intervention involving adolescents experiencing suicidal ideations and self-harm, as well as team intervention groups, IOP, PHP, and OP groups. Other areas of interest were Dr. Gauer assisting new practices being credentialed with CARF in areas of policies and procedures for Discovery Behavior Health and Fountain of Life Behavioral Health and was responsible for researching, planning, developing, as well as implementing the organizations programs.  Dr. Gauer’s research interests are health care programs and Co-Occurring disorders. She is an Alumni of Grand Canyon University and University of Baltimore. 

Jasmine Reeves is a dedicated and compassionate addiction counselor with over 10 years of experience in behavioral health. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Coppin State University, which she earned in 2016 while obtaining her Alcohol and Drug Trainee (ADT) certification. During this time, Jasmine provided counseling services at Powell Recovery Center, specializing in Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs.

Jasmine continued her career at DreamLife Treatment Center, where she served as the PHP Program Manager, delivering comprehensive addiction counseling services and supporting individuals on their recovery journeys. Driven by her passion for social work and mental health advocacy, Jasmine pursued her Master of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, graduating in 2022. She became a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in 2023, further solidifying her commitment to serving those in need.

Jasmine’s professional approach is rooted in empathy, clinical expertise, and a deep passion for helping individuals overcome addiction and achieve lasting wellness. Beyond her career, Jasmine is a devoted wife and mother who values family and community. Guided by her strong faith, she strives to empower and uplift others, making a meaningful impact on those she serves.