DAYSTAR STAFF
Fern Wilcox, MHS, LPC, CAADC, CIP
Daystar Center for Recovery, CEO
Fern Wilcox is the CEO and Executive Director of Daystar Center. She has worked in the addiction and recovery field for more than 35 years. Fern received her Master of Science in Human Service (MHS) degree from Lincoln University, the United States’ first degree-granting historically black college and university (HBCU), where she was inducted into the Phi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Science. Her experience includes every level of care, and she is a Pennsylvania State Certified Interventionist. Her specialties include family addiction treatment, and she is the President of the Pennsylvania Halfway House Association.
Daystar Center for Recovery, CFOKate Tannenbaum
Kate serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Daystar Center for Recovery. With extensive experience in nonprofit financial management and strategic planning, Kate oversees budgeting, financial reporting, grant compliance, and long-term fiscal sustainability to ensure the organization can effectively serve its residents and community. Passionate about mission-driven work, Kate combines strong financial leadership with a commitment to ethical stewardship, transparency, and responsible resource allocation. By collaborating closely with executive leadership and community partners, Kate helps strengthen the Daystar program, promote stability, accountability, and lasting recovery for individuals transitioning toward independent, healthy lives.
Daystar Center for Recovery, Program DirectorRonald Sloane, MSW, LSW, CAADC
Ronald enjoys getting to know patients by meeting them where they are in their lives, without placing unrealistic expectations on their recovery. Instead, he encourages and supports individuals in becoming the best version of themselves. With a strong understanding of the disease of addiction and its profound impact on individuals and their families, Ronald brings empathy and insight to his work. As the Program Director of Daystar, he is committed to ensuring that every person is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. The program emphasizes empowering individuals to advocate for themselves throughout their recovery journey, supporting them in working toward outcomes that align with their personal goals and values. Outside of work, Ronald enjoys exercising, watching sporting events, and spending quality time with his family.
Daystar Center for Recovery, Clinical DirectorChris Benedetto, CAAC, CRS
Originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Chris relocated to Harrisburg in January 2010. Initially a mechanic by trade, his passion for helping others find recovery inspired a career change, prompting him to enter the human services field in March 2013. He began his human services career at Gaudenzia, progressing from a house manager to a counselor while studying Social Work at Harrisburg Area Community College. He strengthened his advocacy skills at The RASE Project in 2016 and became involved in several outreach and awareness projects geared toward young people in the recovering community.
Joining Daystar in 2018, Chris was drawn by the agency's mission and commitment to providing quality, affordable, and collaborative therapy for individuals facing substance use and mental health conditions. He is a strong advocate for accessible recovery paths and believes that role modeling is the most effective teaching method, striving to "be the change you want to see in the world" in his daily life.
Daystar Center for Recovery, CounselorRobert Taylor, BSW, CRS
Robert is a dedicated Drug and Alcohol Counselor with extensive experience in residential treatment settings. He has been with Daystar since 2017 and is a graduate of Shippensburg University, where he earned his Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). Robert is passionate about helping individuals impacted by the disease of addiction develop and apply the skills necessary to build healthy, productive, and sustainable lives.
His work is guided by a deep commitment to empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and promoting long-term recovery. Drawing on his background as a mentor and spiritual advisor, he integrates clinical expertise, compassion, and structure to support patients in their recovery journeys. Robert’s core belief is recovery is possible for everyone when people are given the tools, structure, and support they need to heal. His process is to meet individuals where they are, challenge them to grow, and walk alongside them as they build a life rooted in purpose and accountability.
Daystar Center for Recovery, Counselor AssistantHank Ryan, B.S., CRS
Hank Ryan is a person in long-term recovery who brings both personal experience and professional expertise to his work in the addiction recovery field. He holds a bachelor’s degree and is a Certified Recovery Specialist committed to helping others navigate the challenges of addiction. As a former patient, Hank deeply believes in Daystar’s mission—he is a living example of how Daystar changes lives—and he is proud to now serve as a member of their clinical team. Passionate about giving back, Hank approaches his work with empathy, hope, and a strong dedication to supporting others on their recovery journeys.
Daystar Center for Recovery, Case ManagerEmilio Oquendo
Emilio enjoys getting to know the clients and building meaningful relationships. He understands that each person is unique and that they have diverse cultural backgrounds, so he strives to actively listen and empower them to be an advocate for the health and wellness goals that are important to them. Emilio dedicates himself to providing compassionate and individualized care by providing clients education and practicing evidence-based medicine. He is passionate about practicing preventive medicine and helping his clients manage acute and chronic health conditions, as well as mental health. Emilio finds joy in doing almost any outdoor activities, cutting hair, and helping others in need. He enjoys spending time with family and friends and strives to live mindfully and intentionally, and passionately being of service to others.
Daystar Center for Recovery, Admissions CoordinatorAshley Bias
Ashley Bias has served as the Admissions Coordinator at Daystar Center for Recovery since April 2022. In this role, she is often the first point of contact for individuals seeking support, and she takes great pride in helping clients and their families navigate the initial steps of the recovery process. Ashley brings a compassionate, organized, and client-centered approach to her work, ensuring that each individual feels informed, supported, and welcomed from their very first interaction. Prior to joining Daystar, she worked at Gaudenzia as a House Manager and Administrative Assistant, where she developed strong skills in client support, administrative operations, and program coordination.
A graduate of Mechanicsburg High School, Ashley has always been passionate about working with people and connecting them to resources that promote positive life changes. Ashley is a proud mother of a son and a daughter, and family plays a central role in her life. In her free time, she enjoys reading, which she finds both relaxing and personally enriching.
Daystar Center for Recovery, House ManagerKenneth Washington
Kenneth Washington is grateful to work at Daystar, where he has the opportunity to plant seeds of hope and encouragement in patients seeking a path to recovery. He is passionate about supporting individuals as they work toward positive change and personal growth. Outside of work, Kenneth enjoys lifting weights, spending quality time with family and friends, and watching sports. He has been employed at Daystar for the past eight years and looks forward to the next chapter as the organization continues to grow and expand its impact.
Daystar Center for Recovery, Registered K-9 Therapy SupportHope
Hope is a registered therapy dog at Daystar Center for Recovery, where she plays a special role in supporting individuals on their journey toward substance use recovery. Known for her gentle temperament and calming presence, Hope provides comfort, emotional support, and companionship to clients during therapy sessions, group activities, and daily programming. She helps create a welcoming and safe environment, encouraging connection, reducing stress, and promoting emotional healing. Hope’s ability to offer unconditional acceptance and affection makes her a valued member of the treatment team, helping clients feel supported, grounded, and motivated as they work toward lasting recovery.