Adele Lemak 30-Year Anniversary New Vitae Wellness and Recovery

Adele Lemak 30-Year Anniversary at New Vitae Wellness and Recovery | Recognizing Three Decades of Service

This year marks 30 years of service for Adele Lemak of New Vitae Wellness and Recovery, where she serves as Office Manager at the Recovery Center. In recognition of this milestone, New Vitae is sharing Adele’s story—highlighting her impact, dedication, and the heart she has brought to the organization since joining in 1995 as a Case Manager at Quakertown House. Adele has been an integral part of New Vitae’s growth, culture, and community.

Over the years, Adele has worn many hats—serving as Director of Social Services at both Quakertown House and Mount Trexler Manor before moving into her current role at the Recovery Center. “Aside from cooking a full-on meal for all the residents,” Adele jokes, “I’ve pretty much performed every role within the residential sites.” “Now I get to see many of those same residents in an office setting and engage with them like old friends.”

From social services to credentialing, Adele has built a reputation as the go-to for just about everything.
New Vitae President and CEO, Judith O. Yanacek, shared:

“Adele is one of a kind. We have weathered storms and challenges together, and Adele has always helped us rise out of them. She’s a true go-to. She’s reliable, dependable, and an incredible resource for staff. I’ve never seen her drop a ball. She trains up the next generation and uses her deep knowledge to guide decisions across the organization. Adele is a gem.”

Through dedication and curiosity, Adele became self-taught in areas like government entitlement programs and credentialing, helping countless program members navigate complex systems that impact their care. She’s also supervised and mentored staff who have since stepped into leadership roles of their own. “Watching others grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” Adele said.

Adele has been recognized several times throughout her career at New Vitae Wellness and Recovery, including being named Employee of the Year and Employee of the Month multiple times, as well as receiving a Recognition of Outstanding Service to the Community from in 2020.

When asked what has kept her with New Vitae for three decades, Adele doesn’t hesitate. She credits the family atmosphere, her coworkers and leaders, and the feeling of being valued while knowing her work helps others. Having truly seen it all, she reflects on how much New Vitae has grown—adding services, programs, and locations, and expanding beyond residential care to reach people in the community. Still, she says, the heart of the organization has remained the same. Among her many memories, one stands out for its humor: “Winning the cup game at the Manager’s Holiday Party last year was pretty epic!” she laughs. “There’s never been a dull day here.” Her advice to new staff is simple but meaningful: “Find connections with the staff and clients you work with. It makes everything go so much smoother.”

Donna and Adam Devlin, who first met Adele during her early days with New Vitae, shared their reflections on this milestone:

“We remember clearly the day we interviewed Adele for a mentor position. It’s amazing that 30 years have passed since then. She has been one of the most compassionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated staff members all these years and continues to be in her role with the Recovery Center. We are very fortunate and appreciative to have Adele working with us.”

After three decades of dedication, leadership, and laughter, Adele continues to embody the heart of New Vitae’s mission—helping others live their best lives with compassion, connection, and community.

Congratulations, Adele, and thank you for your years of dedicated service.