Our History
The Pennock Center for Counseling was established by Mary “Penny” Pennock in 1983. Penny had a passion and vision to support those in need, specifically providing affordable and professional counseling services, a mission that remains at the heart of our work today. Thanks to her generosity, we have evolved into a community-centered counseling center, offering a range of mental health programs. We are grateful for her enduring legacy of care, which will enable us to carry on this healing ministry into the future.
History Timeline
In 1983, Mary "Penny" Pennock, a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Brighton, initiated a program (Hilltop Counseling, Ministry of Care) offering counseling opportunities within the church for church members.
In 2003 the center relocated from a store front office to our current building at the corner of 21st and Egbert. At that time, in honor of our founder and visionary Penny Pennock, the board of directors chose to change the name from Hilltop Counseling, Ministry of Care to Pennock Center for Counseling.
In 2003 Jody Pierce was hired as the the first Executive Director of the organization and served in that capacity until her retirement in July 2025.
In 2025, Jody Pierce retires as Executive Director of Pennock Center for Counseling and is succeeded by Julie Ratinoff.
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Sadly, Penny passed away on December 2, 2001, but will always be remembered for her love and generosity. Penny helped others, not for the glory or recognition, but out of her deep sense of caring and her legacy of caring lives on throughout our community.
