Neighbor Spotlight: Angela Kenbok joins Hampton as social service coordinator, hopes to offer therapeutic programs for all ages

Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would like to nominate someone as a Neighbor Spotlight, see thehamptonjournal.com, select the “Post Story” button in the upper right corner and complete the form to publish your nomination. Questions? Email Neighborhood News Network editor Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.

Hampton Township Social Service Coordinator Angela Kenbok knows how to reach an audience.

The township’s new hire is hosting her first program, Happy Tail Storytime, which will feature a four-legged friend as the guest of honor.

A therapy dog will accompany Kenbok from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on July 8 to the program at the Hampton Community Library along McCully Road.

“Whether or not you are dealing with any stress or anxiety, petting a dog is definitely therapeutic,” said Kenbok, who recently earned her master’s degree in forensic social work from Slippery Rock University.

“This offers something more interactive for the kids and hopefully will capture their attention.”

Children of all ages are welcome to the storytime/activity.

No registration is necessary.

The Emsworth native joined the township full time in May after a nine-month internship. Her office works in conjunction with the police department, often being connected to residents in need of crisis intervention, service referrals or de-escalation.

“I get referrals from officers when they come in contact with residents who need help with domestic violence or substance abuse, among other issues,” she said.

“I work to give those residents services so they’re not likely to reoffend. But my goal is to provide therapeutic services to the entire community.”

In her first townshipwide program, Kenbok said she chose to offer an animal therapy program as a way to draw people in.

“People don’t have to have a traumatic experience in their past to want to attend a program with the dog,” she said. “It’s a way to meet people.”

Eventually, Kenbok hopes to offer programs where children with learning disabilities can read to the therapy dogs, as well as those where she visits nursing homes to soothe patients.

She hopes to make connections with children at schools, teens at the library and adults in support groups.

“There’s not really an end in sight to what I can offer,” she said.

Chris Lochner, township manager, said the reading program is a “nice collaboration between the township library’s storytime program and our new social services program.

“As Angela gets more involved with the township and Hampton’s residents get to know her better, it is our hope that this type of quality-of-life programming can be expanded upon.”

Kenbok first connected with the Hampton Township police department as a graduate student. Through a partnership with Slippery Rock, interns are selected for an emerging profession called forensic social work where the students can apply their compassion and know-how to help officers who are called to a drug offense or domestic violence incident.

Township police Chief Tom Vulakovich said first responders protect lives and property but Kenbok, in her new role, plays a vital role in responding to crises as well.

“She brings to the table another level of expertise and resources that in times of crisis can help identify underlying issues,” Vulakovich said.

“She can help to de-escalate situations and provide guidance and followup services to our residents.”

Because she is on staff, Kenbok’s services are readily and easily obtainable to residents, the chief said.

“Over the past 10 months, the social worker internship program grew from a new idea to implementation to now a full-time permanent paid position,” he said. “The program has demonstrated that for public safety, multiple disciplines can come together to collaborate and work together, keeping our community safe.”

Kenbok worked previously as a drug and alcohol counselor at Gateway Rehab, adding a further layer of expertise to her role.

She plans to add addiction, grief and loss support groups to her schedule of offerings, and a PTSD support group for people and their spouses.

“I think there will be a lot more in the future,” she said. “I’m fairly new but I’m excited about what we can offer. I’m just looking forward to getting to know the community and start providing services.”

Kenbok will host a second Happy Tails Storytime at 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 12 at the library, inside the community center.

“We’ve all been locked up for the past year,” she said. “It will be nice to interact again.”