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Giving Back Through Houseparenting

Frank Pascale grew up in a neighborhood surrounded by poverty and crime. After hearing about Milton Hershey School and its mission, he and his wife Lisa jumped at the opportunity to help children who experienced similar circumstances by pursuing careers as houseparents at the school.

Frank and Lisa were small business owners in Central Pennsylvania before becoming houseparents in 2015. Together, the couple wanted to make an impact on the lives of young people.

“We want to make a difference and help break the cycle of poverty,” Lisa shared.

Frank and Lisa are now houseparents to 12 middle school boys and love what they do. They build and maintain relationships with students and their parents/sponsors, take them to and from school, cook meals, answer homework questions, play games, and support their students however they can.

MHS students and housparents

“It’s just nice to be a part of their lives and to let them know there’s support for them—people who honestly do care,” Lisa said.

Frank, who has faced many of the same challenges as MHS students, can relate to their circumstances and gives them advice that he wishes he had growing up. He serves as a mentor to the boys, gives them hope, and encourages them that they too can break the cycle of poverty in their own families.

“I don’t just relate, I empathize with our students,” Frank shared. “A lot of the things they go through, I’ve seen it and been there.”

The Pascales build strong connections with their students in an effort to help them grow and develop confidence and character. They have conversations with the boys to make sure each of them is becoming the person they envision for themselves. They incorporate lessons their students can apply to their lives now and years down the road.

When asked what they like best about houseparenting, Frank shared that it’s getting to see the results of their efforts every day through their students’ success.

MHS houseparents


Milton Hershey School does not discriminate in admissions or other programs and services on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religious creed or disability. Read important MHS policies on equal opportunity and diversity, equal employment opportunity, and more.