About The Chanan Foundation

Our story is rooted in faith and dedicated to empowering individuals with personalized care.

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Personal Approach to Care

The Chanan Foundation is a private non-profit organization built on Christian faith. Our core values—love, growth, service, and sharing—guide our daily interactions as we uphold integrity, dignity, and respect for every individual. Our mission goes beyond providing quality care; we strive to create meaningful, lasting impact in the lives of those we serve. We believe in making wise investments, spreading positivity, and fostering hope within our organization and throughout the communities we reach.

The Chanan Foundation offers round-the-clock support to individuals with developmental disabilities, tailoring every service to meet unique needs. Our programs focus on empowering individuals to build essential skills for a fulfilling, independent life. We are committed advocates for community involvement, ensuring every person we support can live connected, engaged, and respected.

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Accredited by The Joint Commission

We are honored to be accredited by The Joint Commission—an esteemed symbol of excellence in healthcare. This accreditation reflects our dedication to meeting rigorous standards of quality, safety, and service. Through consistent compliance with best practices, we ensure every individual receives exceptional care in a compassionate and trustworthy environment.
For questions or concerns, you may contact The Joint Commission at:

https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/patient-safety-topics/report-a-patient-safety-concern-or-complaint/

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Our Team

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Lon Bell

Founder & CEO

A Douglas County native, Lon was raised by a father who lived with paralysis—an experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to serving individuals with disabilities. Inspired by resilience and faith, Lon and his wife, Lisa, founded The Chanan Foundation to support individuals with developmental disabilities. In 1999, the organization became an approved Medicaid provider in Georgia.

Starting from their own home, Lon has led the foundation’s growth for over twenty-five years. He remains grateful for the opportunity to serve and learn from those supported through the foundation. Outside of work, Lon enjoys time with his family, lake activities, and exploring new destinations.

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Lisa Bell

Founder & Executive Administrator

Lisa began her career in finance but felt called to pursue more meaningful work after becoming a mother. Transitioning into caregiving, she and Lon founded The Chanan Foundation in their home. These early experiences prepared her for her current leadership role as Executive Administrator.

With deep understanding and compassion, Lisa connects with staff, oversees financial and executive operations, and ensures the organization remains compliant with evolving regulations. She enjoys reading, family time, and cherishing her role as "Nana" to her grandchildren.

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Dianne Mitchell

CLS Director

Dianne has been part of The Chanan Foundation for over a decade. Beginning as office manager, she gained comprehensive knowledge of all service programs and now serves as CLS Director. She oversees private home care, coordinates community-based activities, and leads new employee orientations and ongoing training.

With her uplifting personality, Dianne encourages others to step outside their comfort zones. She loves music, enjoys bringing joy to others, and has a talent for making people laugh.

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LaKeshia Hargraves

Residential Director

A Hampton, Virginia native, LaKeshia brings 25+ years of experience in the long-term care industry. While her bachelor’s degree is in criminal justice, her heart has always been in caregiving. She is licensed as an Assisted Living Administrator in both Virginia and Georgia and serves as a preceptor and medication aide.

LaKeshia joined The Chanan Foundation in 2021 as a Direct Support Professional and quickly rose to Residential Director. She prioritizes strong relationships with clients, families, and staff and approaches her work with passion and excellence. Outside of work, she supports women in need and inspires those around her to grow and thrive.

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Hillary Ormiston

HR Specialist

Hillary holds a B.S. in Psychology and has over seven years of management experience. For more than four years, she has been an essential member of The Chanan Foundation team. She oversees recruitment, onboarding, training, employee relations, and contributes to policy development.

She thrives on building trust and meaningful relationships with staff, creating an environment where employees feel supported and valued. Beyond work, Hillary enjoys hiking, exploring nature with her mom, gardening, and learning about sustainability. Her dream is to one day own a small sustainable mountain farm. She cherishes time spent with close friends and their children.

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Amanda Bowers

Developmental Disability Professional

Amanda began her career as a teacher and has spent nearly a decade supporting individuals with disabilities. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and moved from Florida to Georgia in 2013 to help connect individuals and families to vital services.

Her passion is deeply personal—Amanda is the mother of Jacob, her son with a disability. His journey has shaped her compassion and insight, qualities she brings to the foundation every day. She enjoys family time, concerts with her husband, and trail running in the mountains.

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Angela Williams

Hiram Day Program Director

Angela brings years of experience in the disability field, beginning with direct support and growing into leadership roles. Her dedication to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities is evident in every aspect of her work.

She combines empathy with practical expertise, ensuring each person feels heard, valued, and supported. Angela is known for her kindness, strong leadership, and unwavering commitment to meaningful care.

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Kimberly Cobb, BSN, RN

Registered Nurse

Kim began her healthcare career in 2006 as a paramedic before becoming a registered nurse and completing her BSN in 2018. Her background spans Emergency Care, Case Management, and Psychiatric Nursing.

At The Chanan Foundation, she provides medical supervision, develops healthcare strategies, and delivers hands-on nursing support. Outside of work, she enjoys time with loved ones, cooking, motorcycling, and traveling.

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Michelle O'Dell

Appointment Coordinator

Michelle joined The Chanan Foundation in 2016 as a Direct Support Professional. Through dedication and hard work, she advanced through the roles of home manager and now appointment coordinator.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is passionate about the medical field. Michelle expertly coordinates medical services, ensuring individuals receive timely and effective care. Her work is grounded in her faith and inspired by Matthew 25:34-40. She enjoys karaoke and serving in her church’s women’s ministry.

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Chanda Stafford

Quality Assurance Director

Chanda has spent her entire life involved in the disability field and brings rich expertise to her role as Quality Assurance Director. Her passion lies in ensuring individuals receive high-quality care and services every day.

Beyond work, she enjoys outdoor time with family, relaxing in the sun, and growing a small farm. Strong in her faith and active in her church, Chanda leads with compassion and integrity.

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Mercedes Harris

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Interested in Joining Our Team?

We welcome compassionate, dedicated individuals who want to make a meaningful impact.

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