Edith Leida Cruz, M.S.

Edith serves as the Assistant Director of Northern's Wellness & Resiliency Program (WRP), a role she has held since November 2023. In this capacity, she collaborates with the Leadership Team on strategic planning and program management. Edith is dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing environment that promotes emotional well-being, resilience, and academic success.

Prior to her current role, Edith was a WRP Clinician at Northern, where she helped establish a trauma-informed atmosphere, facilitated therapeutic groups, coordinated activities, and implemented individualized behavior support strategies. She also supervised and coached Behavioral Health Technicians, reinforcing her commitment to youth empowerment and staff development.

Before joining Northern, Edith worked at Bethany Children’s Home, where she served as a Bilingual Professional Learning & Development Specialist, training new and experienced staff in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), CPR, Medication Administration, and Suicide Prevention. She also worked directly with unaccompanied children and families as a Youth Worker and then as a Case Manager in the Helping Hands Program, where she coordinated reunification efforts, conducted assessments, and provided culturally sensitive support.

Edith’s experience extends beyond youth services. She worked in crisis support and bereavement care as a Family Service Counselor at Forrest Hills Memorial Park, guiding families through burial arrangements and grief support. She also assisted at Christman’s Funeral Home, ensuring compassionate service for bereaved families. Additionally, she served as a Sexual Assault Counselor with SARCC, providing individual and group counseling while educating schools, community groups, and county jail populations on trauma prevention and recovery strategies.

Her career began in youth advocacy as a Substitute Building Aide in Lebanon School District, where she supported K-12 students.

Edith holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health & Wellness with a focus on Grief and Loss from Grand Canyon University, a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Health from Alvernia University, and an Associate’s degree in Social Science/Education from Harrisburg Area Community College. She is a certified CPR Instructor, TCI Instructor, and holds Autism Certification, equipping her with a well-rounded skill set to support the individuals she serves.

Passionate about resilience and emotional well-being, Edith remains dedicated to helping youth and families navigate challenges, heal, and thrive.