Dreams Realized: Abby’s Story

Abby Standish felt right at home when she began serving children and families at Catherine Hershey School for Early Learning (CHS).

*Abby standing outside of the future home of CHS Elizabethtown*

Born and raised in Harrisburg, Abby is deeply connected to the central Pennsylvania communities that helped shape her. That connection has guided her professional journey, from working directly with children and families at CHS Harrisburg to stepping into a leadership role at CHS Elizabethtown, which is expected to open in summer 2027.

Abby’s story is one of her own professional growth and a deep commitment to helping families turn their dreams into reality.

A passion for children and families

Abby’s passion for advocacy began during her time at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Relations.

“I have always known that I wanted to work with children and families,” she said. “I truly believe my studies deepened my understanding of child development and family dynamics and strengthened my passion for advocacy.”

After graduating, she began her career in Early Childhood Education (ECE) as a toddler teacher before transitioning into social work as a Foster Care Program Coordinator. Those experiences gave her a direct look at the critical role early childhood and home environments play in shaping a child’s future.

“I saw firsthand how early experiences, including exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences or Positive Childhood Experiences, can significantly influence a child’s development and future outcomes,” she said. “These experiences strengthened my commitment to supporting both children and the individuals who care for them.”

*Abby at her desk at CHS Central Office as she prepares for the opening of CHS Elizabethtown*

Finding purpose at CHS Harrisburg

In August 2023, Abby joined CHS Harrisburg as a Family Success Advocate (FSA), a role that immediately aligned with her passion for supporting the whole family.

“I was immediately drawn to the opportunity to support families in a meaningful, long-term way,” she said.

After a nearly year-long professional development onboarding period until CHS Harrisburg opened in September 2024, Abby worked with families to set goals, access resources, and build strong foundations for their children.

“One of the most meaningful aspects of working as a Family Success Advocate was witnessing parents light up when speaking about their future aspirations for their families,” she said. “Seeing parents recognize that their dreams are not just wishes, but attainable goals, is what makes this work so meaningful.”

Growing Into leadership

Abby’s time as an FSA strengthened her connection with families and also prepared her for the next step in her career.

“Having the experience of serving as a Family Success Advocate and walking alongside families is something I carry with me into this leadership role,” she said.

Now, as Family Success Manager (FSM) at CHS Elizabethtown she is bringing the same relationship-based approach to supporting her team.

“I hope to create a ripple effect where empowered staff are able to effectively support families, and supported families are able to provide strong, nurturing foundations for their children,” she said.

Her transition reflects both her dedication and the opportunities for growth within CHS, where staff are encouraged to develop their skills, aspire for professional growth, and maintain a mindset of continuous quality improvement (CQI).

“Seeing my career growth has been both meaningful and motivating,” Abby said. “It represents not only the development of my skills and knowledge, but also the trust others have placed in me to take on new challenges and responsibilities.”

*Abby outside of the future Family Success Center at CHS Elizabethtown*

Sprouting in Elizabethtown

As part of the leadership team helping open CHS Elizabethtown, Abby is excited to expand her impact into a new community while continuing to build meaningful relationships.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to continue building meaningful connections and relationships with children and families, while also strengthening partnerships within the Elizabethtown community,” she said.

Her vision centers on building a supportive, collaborative culture where both families and staff feel confident, connected, and inspired.

“I strive to create an environment where staff feel genuinely excited to come to work each day and take pride in the meaningful work they do,” Abby said.

One Team, One Dream in action

Abby’s journey from FSA at CHS Harrisburg to FSM at CHS Elizabethtown reflects career progression. It also represents the power of mission-driven work and the impact of investing in people.

“Personally, this promotion and career progression represent an opportunity for me to expand my skill set, embrace new challenges through a leadership lens, and further strengthen my ability to build meaningful connections,” she said.

As she helps lay the foundation for the second of three planned CHS Centers in Lancaster County, Abby is realizing her dream while helping create opportunities for families to realize their dreams, too.

Dreams Realized series: As the 2025-26 CHS school-year theme “One Team, One Dream” was launched in August, stories will be shared throughout the year showcasing members of the CHS community following—and realizing—their dreams. Vol. 1: Dil’s Story, Vol. 2: Lily’s Story, Vol. 3: Luna’s Story, Vol. 4: Xavier’s Story, Vol. 5: Hilary’s Story, Vol. 6: Kayla’s Story, Vol. 7: Natalie’s Story, Vol. 8: Emily’s Story, Vol. 9: Abby’s Story.