Focus Staff
Gary Short, Director/Counselor (LCSW)
In addition to overseeing the FOCUS department, Gary counsels individual, couples, and families in the Bath, Corning, and Elmira areas of Upstate New York. Gary loves every aspect of being a counselor and daily thanks God for the great privilege of helping those that seek Godly wisdom for their concerns.
Gary was led to Family Life in 1976, back when the ministry was operating as Area Youth for Christ. He worked as a caseworker for a boy’s home called New Life Homes-Snell Farms, a former division of Family Life. In 1982, Gary sensed God calling him to develop a new counseling department – FOCUS! Although excited about the opportunity, Gary had a feeling that once the department was underway, he would leave FOCUS in the good hands of another counselor to follow another God-led path.
Sure enough, Gary worked hard to help establish FOCUS, and then left the department to spend the next 20 years as a school social worker at the Greater Southern Tier BOCES. Gary was called back to FOCUS part-time in 2003, and after five years, was asked to serve as a director and counselor of the very department he helped to establish over two decades ago. God moves in beautiful circles!
Gary and his wife, Barb, have been married for 38 years and have three sons: Jason, Dean, and Darin. Gary also has a Master’s degree in Social Work from Syracuse University and is a doctoral candidate at Trinity College. On a more personal note, Gary has a passion for classic cars and trucks. His yearly trips to the Carlisle Show – a major auto event in PA – make him a pretty serious enthusiast!
Patti Anderson, Counselor (MSW)
As a counselor for FOCUS, Patti is privileged to serve individuals of many ages, ranging from adolescents to adults. A big part of Patti’s job is listening. She also helps people by providing a safe place to share and identify feelings, by encouraging behavior changes, and by recommending good resources. However, the greatest help Patti can provide her clients is sharing Christ – and she does! Jesus is the One true Healer who gives the peace and hope that passes all understanding.
Before coming to Family Life, Patti worked for nine years as a Prevention Education Specialist for the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council in Chemung County. There she counseled, educated, and referred adolescents with drug and alcohol problems. She also created and implemented a brand new substance treatment program in the Chemung County Jail that is designed to help prisoners recover from their addictions.
Patti was first introduced to Family Life by Gary Short, a former colleague of hers at BOCE’S Alternative High School. The two co-workers became friends while Patti counseled and educated BOCE students with issues concerning substance abuse. Thrilled with her dedication and hard work, Gary offered Patti a position on the FOCUS staff, and she humbly accepted the position.
Patti lives in Elmira with her husband, Rich, and their two “priceless” children, Maelynne and Cole. She got her Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from Penn State University, and then went on to “survive” her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University at Buffalo. (Earning a Master’s with a full-time job and a family isn’t the easiest accomplishment in the world!)
Patti loves playing with her kids and dashing off in the summer months on unplanned road trips. A spontaneous weekend in warm weather is good for the soul! Anyone who knows Patti will tell you she’s a child at heart … and always will be. Her “other loves” are gazing at moonlit skies, listening to birds sing at dusk, and the sound of the leaves rustling in the trees. Patti’s way of joining nature in praising our coming King!
Linda Emerson, Counselor (LMSW)
As a counselor with FOCUS, Linda serves individuals, couples, and families by helping them work through difficult life issues. There is great joy and fulfillment in watching Jesus heal human relationships. Linda is thankful to be included in God’s process of restoring lives. What a blessing from Christ!
Before joining FOCUS, Linda was a social worker at Snell Farm’s Residential Treatment Center. She also worked for Catholic Charities of Steuben County as a grant coordinator for the Supplemental Homelessness Intervention Project (SHIP). Linda now works as a social worker with BOCES of the Greater Southern Tier. There she counsels kids in grades 7-12 at the Bradford Central School District.
Linda became a Christian at age 29. Seven years later, God got a hold of her husband, Charlie, and the Lord began preparing them for missions. Serving as missionaries for close to 15 years, Linda and her hubby worked for American Mission for Opening Churches and Church Planters of America. Later on, Linda began sensing a call to social work.
While getting her Master’s degree at Roberts Wesleyan in Rochester, Linda met Bonnie Kellogg – a counselor who used to work for FOCUS. The two struck up a friendship and Bonnie took on the responsibility of mentoring Linda during her educational training at Roberts. That’s how the FOCUS department got to know Linda and eventually invited her to join the team at Family Life!
Linda and Charlie live at Alfred Station on Emerson Farm in Alfred, NY. The farm has been in the Emerson family for over five generations. It’s also the place where Linda and her family manufacture maple syrup. It’s a sticky business but they love making and selling it on the farm.
Linda and Charlie have four children: Marcie, Marcus, Matthew, and Sarah – all four a gift from God! The blessings of family never seem to run out. She and Charlie are now grandparents of several amazing grandchildren! Linda is a homebody at heart and loves cooking, baking, sewing, quilting, and spending time with her family. She also has a passion for speaking at women’s retreats and continuing her education in ministry and social work.