Our history

Evelyn Dudziec

Evelyn Dudziec - Founder, Healing the Children® - New Jersey

Evelyn Dudziec launched the New Jersey of Healing the Children® in 1981. She served as Executive Director for 26 years. As a teen and young adult, Mrs. Dudziec volunteered at a local orphanage. She and her husband have five children, four of whom are adopted. She is a past member of Concerned Persons for Adoption and Spina Bifida Parent Support Group. She served as volunteer chairperson of the Fresh Air Fund of Northern New Jersey from 1976-80 and host parent to two Vietnamese children as a member of the Vietnamese Refugee Program (1979-82). Since 1981, she and her family have been host to more than 60 children through Healing the Children®. Mrs. Dudziec is the recipient of numerous national and local honors.

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Frank Light

Francis B. Light, MD - Trustee Emeritus, Healing the Children® New Jersey

Dr. Light has volunteered with HTC since 1988. He, his wife Cathy, and their eight children (adopted and biological) have hosted many HTC children in their home. In addition to serving as a host parent, Dr. Light has served as Director of Medical Trips and President of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Light is a graduate of New Jersey College of Medicine and is Board-certified in anesthesiology. Dr. Light has taught pediatric anesthesiology at Albert Einstein Medical School (1970-73). He was President of the Board of Trustees of John E. Runnel Hospital in 1974 and was a member of the Board of Trustees of Family and Children's Services. Dr. Light has been a faculty member at Rahway Hospital since 1973. He is the recipient of the Rahway Hospital Humanitarian Award (1986) and the Russ Berry Foundation People Who Make a Difference Award (2000).