Who We Are

Our Mission: To work so that no one is isolated because of Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s Resource Organization is dedicated to improving quality of life for families and individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease through education, support, and practical resources. Click here to get in touch and stay in touch for news, updates, and more.

Our History:

Parkinson's Resource Organization (PRO) was established in 1990 by caregivers who were overwhelmed and struggling to find the support network they needed. So they decided to create one. What started as Children of Parkinson's morphed into Parkinson's Resource Organization and today we continue to maximize quality of life for people with Parkinson's, their families, and caregivers through education, resources, and person-to-person support.

PRO works to improve quality of life for everyone impacted by Parkinson’s. We do this through emotional and practical resources, support groups, educational materials, and access to a network of professionals who can provide guidance and assistance. Additionally, we advocate for the needs and rights of caregivers and patients, ensuring they receive the necessary care and resources.

Caregivers play a crucial role in the management and support of Parkinson's patients. PRO acknowledges their efforts and aims to equip them with the tools and knowledge required to provide effective care. Through continuous outreach and dedicated services, we strives to create a supportive community where caregivers and patients can find the help and companionship they need.

What We Do

To address the acute needs of the Parkinson’s community – namely caregiver support and resource pooling – we built several core programs:

Support Groups – Through dedicated in-person support groups for caregivers and people with Parkinson's, we distribute new information quickly and build a community network that teaches and learns from itself.

Wellness Village Resource Directory The Wellness Village is a free, virtual, vetted, digital resource directory of the best available providers and services within the Parkinson’s world, designed to ease the research burden and introduce constituents to a wide range of holistic and practical support services to navigate Parkinson’s and maximize quality of life.  

Information & Education – Through our long-running newsletter, YouTube channel, and social channels, we educate audiences across the country – and the world – on the latest Parkinson’s news, tried and true lifestyle tips, research, and more. Open forums like our Village Meetings feature researchers, physical therapists, elder law attorneys, and more. 

Memorial WallA virtual place to hold the memory of someone who lived with Parkinson’s or Parkinsonisms…and their family members, caregivers, and friends who were touched by Parkinson’s. A virtual place where family and friends can grieve and heal, gain solace and understanding, and virtually ‘visit’ their loved one. A virtual means of announcing the passing to a greater number of people than can otherwise be accomplished through a tangible publication.

As caregivers, people with Parkinson’s, and friends of the community, we know how isolating and all-consuming Parkinson’s can become. We hope the advent of a cure for this hideous disease will soon make our mission obsolete. Until then, our goal remains what it’s always been: working so no one is isolated because of Parkinson’s Disease.

Who We Serve

People with Parkinson’s available resources for people with Parkinson’s or Parkinsonisms include dedicated emotional support groups, information and education, one-on-one coaching, and more.

Caregivers & Familyavailable resources for people caring for, living with, or otherwise supporting a person with Parkinson’s or Parkinsonisms include dedicated emotional support groups, information & education, one-on-one coaching, the Memorial Wall, and more

Service Providers available resources for service providers and business partners include our Wellness Village Resource Directory, newsletter participation opportunities, event sponsorships, and more. 

Contact Us

Toll Free (877) 775-4111 

info@parkinsonsresource.org

PRO Financial Records 

View our 2022 990 Filing HERE

View our 2023 990 Filing HERE

View our 2024 990 Filing HERE

Staff and Members of the Board

  • Shon Tomlin
  • Board Co-Chair

Shon Tomlin

Board Co-Chair

Shon Tomlin is an entertainment executive whose career spans across filmed entertainment, non-profits, and educational technology. Shon served as Senior Vice President for News Corp’s premium lifestyle and sports channel, FUEL TV – a division of the Fox Networks Group. After winning five Emmy’s for various unscripted series and specials, including an Emmy for National Geographic’s Wild Yellowstone, Tomlin moved into the non-profit space. In 2012 Shon co-founded 1 Giant Mind, a non-profit that created the first free Learn-to-Meditate smartphone app and teacher-training program aimed at bringing mindfulness into the private and public sectors. Tomlin currently develops and produces AI-powered online training programs for major universities and corporate clients such as Price Waterhouse Coopers, ADT, and UBS. Shon is a California native who moved from Los Angeles to the Coachella Valley in 2012 and currently resides in Palm Springs, CA.
  • John White
  • Board Co-Chair

John White

Board Co-Chair

John White anchors News Channel 3 Live at 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. on KESQ-TV and CBS Local 2. You can also see him on Fox 11 every weeknight at 10:00 p.m. John won a Pacific Southwest Emmy Award in 2016 for his reporting on the Salton Sea. John first moved to the desert in 1991 and worked in radio and then as host of the Coachella Valley Evening Report on cable. He joined KESQ in 1995 before moving to Harrisburg, PA, and WHP-TV in 1997. In 2000, John and his family decided to return to the desert and KESQ-TV. John has interviewed countless newsmakers over the years along with following all of the valley's biggest stories. A native of the Chicago area, John earned his bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. The desert is his adopted home and he's enjoyed most of life's greatest moments right here. He married his wife in Palm Desert in 1993. Their daughter was born here in 1997. John loves playing golf here in the desert, hiking, and generally enjoying this wonderful community. John is also a die-hard Cubs fan who enjoyed his team clinching its first World Series Championship in 108 years in 2016.
  • Neil Friedman
  • Board Member

Neil Friedman

Board Member

Neil Friedman has devoted 57 years to our industry and began his career in the 1960’s working in the mattress factory his family owned. He remained active in mattress manufacturing from 1972-2000, then went on to be an outside sales rep for Ashley Furniture. In 2004, he joined Primo International as a sales manager and is currently in an ambassador role for Primo. Friedman has been a staunch and loyal supporter of IHFRA on both a national and local level, having served as President of the Home Furnishing Representative Guild of Southern California. His work in the industry along with his humanitarian outreach initiatives has made him the recipient of numerous awards, including the Rudy Sudyteltemeir award, the Charles B Costar award, City of Hope’s Volunteer of the Year, and others.
  • Richard Katz
  • Board Member

Richard Katz

Board Member

In 2014 Richard retired from a 35-year career in human resources, holding positions as Compensation Manager for May Company Department Stores, Corporate HR Director for Federated Department Stores, VP HR for Carlisle Department Stores, and HR Consultant and Practice Leader for the global consulting firm, Ernst, and Young. Additionally, Richard secured $millions in local, state and federal workforce development grants creating and managing publicly funded job training and placement programs for the entertainment industry known as Spotlight On Jobs and Hollywood Digital Careers. In 1983. Richard established Human Resource Marketing Services to develop and market new technologies in the recruiting and employment fields-- for both the private and public sectors. For this accomplishment, Richard received the SHRM National Pericles Award for, “Outstanding Contribution to the HR Field.” In 2004, HRMS produced customized college conferences bringing together government, education and business stakeholders. Highlights included creating a series of events for the entire University of California system entitled, Career Moves. These conferences focused on career education and recruiting events for thousands of University of California alumni and hundreds of Fortune 1000 employers. Beginning in 2009, and spurred by the HITECH ACT, HRMS organized Health TECH Workforce Forums bringing diverse healthcare stakeholders together as they worked toward the goal of accelerated Electronic Health Records adoption. After retiring in 2013, Richard became a therapy dog handler for the UCLA Health System. While visiting hundreds of hospital patients and their families, Richard was asked many times how one becomes a therapy dog team. Richard soon learned that the public was hungry for education and clarity about the therapy dog field, and created a series of classes focusing on the therapy dog industry. Richard currently teaches How to Certify Your Pet as a Therapy Dog to the public at eight community colleges in Southern and Northern California, as well as professional healthcare workers supporting the disabled community. Realizing the power of therapy dogs, Richard formed a non-for-profit California Corporation, K9 Ambassadors, to extend the usage of therapy dog services in both the private and public sectors. Richard holds a B.A. in Business Administration from UCLA and an MBA from the University of Minnesota.
  • John Mason
  • Board Member

John Mason

Board Member

John Mason is the owner of Brightstar Care, a Home Health Agency in San Fernando Valley. Mason has been in healthcare his entire career. He started as a physical therapy aid in college, worked in pharmaceuticals for 20 years, and have owned a home health agency the last 15 years. During his time in big pharma, he sold medication for Parkinson’s and developed an interest in the disease and its treatment. When he got laid off from his corporate job, he bought a home health agency, as he wanted to stay in healthcare and get closer to patients. When he first started in home health, he was asked to moderate a Parkinson’s support group and enthusiastically said yes, as he wanted to do more to help people with Parkinson’s. Although COVID stopped the live meetings, he's continued to support people with Parkinson’s through PRO and the many support groups and programs offered.
  • Kim Guzzetti
  • Board Member

Kim Guzzetti

Board Member

Kim Guzzetti grew up in Southern California. She attended CSU Chico, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential. She went on to earn her Administrative Credential and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.  Kim’s career focused on providing high-quality alternative educational options for K-12 students. Kim spent most of her career working as a teacher and administrator for the Butte County Office of Education. As a teacher and principal, Kim worked in alternative education programs. She went on to become a county office administrator to oversee curriculum and instruction, federal and state categorical programs, federal audits and county authorized charter schools. Prior to retiring in 2020, Kim was the Senior Director of Region 2 Migrant Education where she supported over 100 staff and managed a $10 million dollar budget to provide federally funded supplemental educational and support services to migrant students and families from Marin County to the Oregon border. Kim enjoys living in Chico and Palm Springs with her husband, David, and her dog, Max. She loves to read, knit, hike and travel.
  • Hannah Yoo
  • Board Member, Board Secretary

Hannah Yoo

Board Member, Board Secretary

Hannah Yoo is an attorney licensed to practice law in both California and Illinois. As a former legal expert on state and local tax developments, she has extensive experience assisting Fortune 500 companies with a broad range of tax issues, including those stemming from a multi-billion-dollar acquisition. Hannah has also served corporate clients across the United States by tracking legal developments related to campaign finance and lobbying laws. She was previously a board member of a national nonprofit organization, a bar association and a local alumni club. Hannah grew up in Long Island, New York and a Northwest suburb of Chicago. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and her Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
  • Eileen Lynch
  • Executive Director

Eileen Lynch

Executive Director

Eileen Lynch first joined Parkinson's Resource Organization in 2020 to bolster funding for PRO's expanding digital programs during the pandemic. Since then, Eileen has supported the organization through significant growth in the role of Director of Operations and through a significant leadership transition as Executive Director – all in pursuit of the mission to ensure that no one is isolated because of Parkinson's. Previously, Eileen worked for legislators and healthcare nonprofits in Virginia and Washington, D.C. to advocate for better healthcare access and to successfully expand Medicaid to nearly 400,000 Virginians. Through the clinical experience of her "family of doctors" and her own experience working in hospice and with low-income and rural Virginians, Eileen got a front-row look at the challenges of healthcare, health-payment and aging care systems. At PRO, Eileen is dedicated to expanding practical and emotional support for people with Parkinson's and caregivers through creative programming and thoughtful collaborations with community partners. Eileen is one of Palm Springs Life’s ‘40 Under 40’ and serves on the Leadership Coachella Valley Board of Directors. In her spare time, Eileen is an avid hiker with a poetry problem.
  • Michelle White
  • Operations Manager

Michelle White

Operations Manager

As Operations Manager for PRO, Michelle plays a key role in ensuring the organization’s programs, services, and day-to-day operations run smoothly and efficiently. Working behind the scenes to support PRO’s mission, she manages a diverse portfolio of responsibilities that includes accounting support, payroll administration, audit preparation, newsletter production, event coordination, volunteer communications, human resources assistance, operational workflows, constituent support, and technology systems. Michelle is passionate about creating systems and processes that allow PRO to maximize its impact while remaining responsive to the needs of people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners. She enjoys finding practical solutions to complex challenges and helping connect the many moving pieces that enable the organization to serve the community effectively. Known for her attention to detail, adaptability, and collaborative approach, Michelle works closely with staff, volunteers, constituents, and community partners to support PRO’s educational programs, support groups, outreach efforts, and special events. Michelle is proud to contribute to an organization dedicated to ensuring that no one faces Parkinson’s alone.
  • Daniel Coover
  • Community Outreach Manager

Daniel Coover

Community Outreach Manager

Born and raised in Portland Oregon. The Marine Corps brought me to California. My family has a long history of California roots. Cousins in SanDiego and Historic Rancho Santa Fe. Horses and Lake Tahoe are a big part of the family gatherings. My brother and I share the family home in Desert Hot Springs. We have lived in the desert for over forty years. Parkinson's Resource Organization has given me the opportunity to move the Wellness Village to the next level. As part of Parkinson's Resource Organization our team approach will be key to this endeavour. I have had a long standing relationship with the Parkinson's Resource Organization going back over twenty years. Jo and I have a commitment to health and wellbeing. This commitment is achieved through many levels of support. Recreational softball is a new found passion of mine as a way to keep my fitness level up.
  • Barbara Bean
  • Administrative Assistant

Barbara Bean

Administrative Assistant

I became aware of Pakinson's Resource Organization back in 1991. My father and my favorite uncle (who were not related by blood) had Parkinson's. I wanted to know more about Parkinson's disease and a friend told me about Jo and what she was doing. I started helping in whatever way I could and in 1994 when I moved back to Los Angeles from the desert, I started going to the support group meetings and volunteering at fundraisers in Los Angeles and the desert. In 2020 I moved back to the desert and Jo asked if I would like to work in the office as her assistant. I will still volunteer my time at events or where needed. A fun fact is PRO was COPs (Children of Parkinson's) when first started.
  • Susan Bartel
  • Office Support

Susan Bartel

Office Support

  • Kelly Willenborg
  • Constituent Services Facilitator

Kelly Willenborg

Constituent Services Facilitator

Kelly Willenborg BS, MA is Brain Health Gerontologist and facilitator of non-pharmaceutical interventions for neuro health. She founded MyMemoryWorx offering certified cognitive coaching & assessments. Kelly launched Rock Steady Boxing of Effingham, IL as well as a not-for-profit resource center, Peace for Parkinson’s. She leads the Healing Headset Music Project gifting customized music players to help those with memory loss throughout the U.S. She actively holds 3 certifications specializing in Parkinson’s programming. She has set up scholarships & led webinars to train healthcare professionals in Parkinsons. She has been a passionate advocate for dementia & Parkinson's for the past 16 years. She is a graduate of St. Louis University and holds a Master’s degree in Aging Studies/Gerontology from Eastern Illinois University.
  • Roger Moore, Palm Desert Medical Hypnotherapist
  • Mindfulness Focused Group Facilitator

Roger Moore, Palm Desert Medical Hypnotherapist

Mindfulness Focused Group Facilitator

This is a monthly support group for people who have Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers led by Medical Hypnotherapist, Roger Moore. In these support group meetings, you will learn skills to help you improve your sleep, to overcome trauma, depression, stress, anxiety, fear, and exhaustion. And, you will find out how you can improve your health, strengthen your resilience and enhance your coping skills.
  • Glendon Geikie, MSW, IELDA, CGCS
  • PRO'S Grief Group Facilitator

Glendon Geikie, MSW, IELDA, CGCS

PRO'S Grief Group Facilitator

WHAT IS GRIEF? It is about experiencing losses. Facilitated by Glendon Geikie, MSW, IELDA, CGCS, who gracefully stated grief is so much more than “The End OF Life”. Grief for a person with Parkinson’s may happen as they start grieving their losses of movement, Grief for a Partner in Care may start as they start losing the partner relationship they once knew, and grief for a child may start as they witness what appears to be “losing their hero”. The meetings cover Anticipatory Grief, Loss of Movement Grief, Loss of Relationship Grief, and Eternal loss, forever Loss. If you are suffering losses, this meeting may be just for you.
  • April Jones
  • Chair Yoga Facilitator

April Jones

Chair Yoga Facilitator

A self proclaimed "movement junkie”, April has been studying movement since the age of 4 when she took her first dance lesson. By 17, she was a professional dancer and at 23, a choreographer and dance instructor at the University of Michigan. Early retirement from dance, led April to competitive sports where she raced in marathons, triathlons and mountain biking for 2 decades. Constantly seeking knowledge about the human body, it’s functionality, biomechanics and injury prevention and rehabilitation, April has continued her education in anatomy, kinesiology and yoga teacher training through countless workshops, retreats, college courses and personal research. Her unique style and brand of yoga is alignment based yoga that incorporates creative and intelligent sequencing so students are encouraged to challenge themselves in a safe environment. Creating an art form between the sequencing, the messaging, the verbal cues and the playlist ensure a deeply personal sensory experience in April’s classes that allow the yogi practitioner to explore their potential.
  • Mary Lou Green
  • Partner in Care Facilitator

Mary Lou Green

Partner in Care Facilitator

Mary Lou Green is the Founder of Dementia Bridge, a company dedicated to ensuring that no caregiver feels alone. Mary Lou cared for her mother with vascular dementia for 16 years, and she remembers how overwhelming it can be to learn all about the disease and manage all the changes that come as it advances. The toll can be mental, emotional, and physical. She has worked with dementia family caregivers for eight years and continues to study Parkinson's Disease to keep up with the latest developments. Mary Lou aims to empower you with knowledge, strategies, and tips for every stage to keep you vertical and healthy!

Contact Us

Address
Parkinson's Resource Organization
74785 Highway 111
Suite 208
Indian Wells, CA 92210

Local Phone
(760) 773-5628

Toll-Free Phone
(877) 775-4111

General Information
info@parkinsonsresource.org

 

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Updated: August 16, 2017