Our mission and background
Our Mission…
To be innovators, educators and adherents of best-practices standards in person-centered care management & fiduciary services to the elderly, the young, and persons living with disabilities.
About us…
Good Shepherd Fund was founded as a 501 (c) 3, non-profit organization in 1970, by Pastor Harold “Swede” Johnson. When asked why he was such an advocate for people living with disabilities, he often told the following story:
“I had an office with a big chair in it, and it was easy to sit in that chair and be pontifical. One day a couple came into that office to see me. I didn’t really know them. They’d had their first child not long before that visit. The doctor had told them that the child was mentally retarded, and that they should give him to a home and put the boy out of their minds, for there was nothing that modern medicine could do for him. The couple was distraught. They’d come to me searching for meaning, and answers. After hearing their story I did the most inexcusable thing; I leaned back in that big chair, and instead of being their friend and counselor, I said, ‘Well, you know, folks, this is simply God’s will.’
“I’ll never forget the look that man gave me as he stood. His was a countenance of rage and despair. He leaned in and said to me, ‘I curse your God.’ Before I could say anything, he stomped out of my office with his wife. I’ve been looking for him ever since. I wish I could find that couple, just so I could tell them how sorry I am for what I said…”
Swede spent the rest of his life dedicated to supporting people living with disabilities and their families. He was a prolific fundraiser and advocate, and raised millions of dollars for an array of charity organizations serving the disabled community. Pastor Johnson died in 2003, but his legacy lives on in Good Shepherd Fund.
Today Good Shepherd Fund serves hundreds of clients as trustee, administering Special Needs Trusts. The agency is the legal conservator/guardian of record for hundreds more across multiple States. Nearly 50% of all agency activity is facilitated “pro-bono,” thanks to the gifts and support we receive from so many who embody the Swede Johnson mission. And in the spirit of that mission, Good Shepherd Fund unashamedly seeks to be a friend and advocate first, a trustee and conservator second.
Swede never had the opportunity to apologize for his behavior, but through the lasting impact of that experience he literally saved many lives for decades. Here at Good Shepherd Fund, we continue onward in honor of the unnamed couple who started it all.
Tom Avramis
President & CEO
Good Shepherd Fund
Nate Schnackenberg
COO
Good Shepherd Fund
Sue Stokke
Accounting & Finance Dir.
Good Shepherd Fund
Stephanie Johnson
Conservatorship/Guardianship Dir.
Good Shepherd Fund
Henry Guo
Trust Officer
Good Shepherd Fund
David Johnson
Chairman
David joined the Board in 2005 after a rewarding 34-year career with the San Rafael Police Department in Marin County, California. His father, Pastor Harold, “Swede”, Johnson was an original founder of the Good Shepherd Fund. David continues to work with California law enforcement agencies, facilitating programs focusing on leadership and team effectiveness.
Trevor Patterson
Vice Chair
Trevor is the retired Chief Investigator from the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office. He investigated many conservatorship cases throughout his career. He is a member and of the First Presbyterian Church in Livermore, CA. and serves as a Deacon of the Mission’s Team.
Art Larson
Secretary
Art is a retired engineer from a defense industry company. He has been working with people with disabilities as a volunteer with Joni and Friends for 15 years and currently volunteers with his church circuit to include people with all disabilities into churches. He has been a Good Shepherd Board member since 1995.
Reuben Helick
Treasurer
Reuben Helick is a Managing Director with Cushman & Wakefield, a global commercial real estate firm. He resides in Aptos, CA. Mr. Helick has been a GSF board member since 2008.
Tom Avramis
Member
Tom P Avramis has enjoyed a highly successful career in non-profit executive management for over 25 years, establishing a reputation for innovation, trouble-shooting, and growth in the field of human services. During his career, he has successfully overseen and grown programs, from national to regional in scope, involving youth, the elderly and the developmentally-challenged. In addition, while an ordained priest, he instituted several nationally recognized programs, as well as being a speaker, consultant and writer.
Karin Crosby
Member
Karin is a Licensed Clinical Social worker who has served the Developmentally Disabled population for over 30 years. She has worked with adults, infants and toddlers and their parents and supervised the Field Representatives at Good Shepherd Fund form 2014-2016. Karin has been a Board member since 2016.
Bill Morris
Member
Bill is a practicing attorney at law, living and working in Redwood City, CA. His practice includes parental estate planning for the care of people with physical and mental disabilities through wills and trusts. He has been a GSF Board Member since 1995.
Single-handedly caring for someone with disabilities is exhausting. When you’re not meeting immediate needs, you’re worried about his or her long-term care. The cycle of stress can be overwhelming.