Partners in
Health and
Aging.
Partners in Health and Aging.
Discover Duet
Find out what aging with compassion, dignity, and hope is all about. Learn about our vision by attending a Discover Duet tour. Hear about our work through facts and stories from the people we serve in this one-hour overview of our mission. RSVP for our next Discover Duet below.
How it all started
Duet was started in 1981 by The Reverend Dr. Dosia Carlson and Church of the Beatitudes in Phoenix. At that time, our name was Beatitudes Center DOAR (Developing Older Adult Resources), which later changed to Duet: Partners In Health & Aging in 2009. Duet is a non-profit, interfaith organization that promotes health and well-being through its vitally needed, free-of-charge services to homebound adults, family caregivers, faith communities, and grandfamilies.
Duet’s services are based on one person helping another. We partner with individuals, businesses, non-profits, municipalities, government organizations, and faith communities to make that happen. Our trademark is a butterfly created from two equal halves. This represents the many successful partnerships that are needed in order for Duet to provide crucial services to older adults throughout the Valley. The white space around the butterfly contains two faces looking toward each other and a more hopeful future.
We respond to pressing needs that are not being met through other organizations. Duet was the first in the Valley to offer free-of-charge volunteer services for homebound adults, as well as comprehensive services for family caregivers and grandparents raising grandchildren. Duet also introduced the concept to the Phoenix area of congregational health programs led by faith community nurses.
Duet exists because caring partners dedicate time and funding to change lives. Hundreds of compassionate volunteers help fulfill Duet’s mission. Join us as we strive forward in expanding services and providing compassionate help to keep pace with the needs of our growing community.
Mission, Vision and, Guiding Principles
MISSION
To promote health and well-being through vitally needed services to homebound adults, family caregivers, faith communities, and grandfamilies.
VISION
A community where every person ages with compassion, dignity, and hope.
VALUES
- Dignity – Humbly approaching each person we serve with individualized attention and respect.
- Inclusiveness – Embracing all people into our community of care.
- Excellence – Giving our best in everything we do.
- Commitment – Striving to fulfill our mission, even when resources and energies are challenged.
- Stewardship – Ensuring ethical and responsible management of resources to fulfill our mission.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- We welcome and value all people. Everyone in the Duet community – from staff to board to partners in service to the people we serve – is one of a kind. We accept people for the unique individuals they are and respect the gifts they bring.
- We act with integrity. We treat others as they want to be treated. We communicate directly and candidly with each other. We own our mistakes and focus on creating solutions rather than on placing blame.
- We have fun. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. Finding humor in challenging situations allows us to keep perspective, energizes us, and helps us learn.
- We are lifelong learners. Change inspires us. We look for new ideas and experiences because we know we will learn something new. We encourage feedback, and we challenge ourselves in ways that will help us grow personally and professionally.
- We put our best selves forward. We look for opportunities where we can go above and beyond the call of duty for each other. We let our community of staff, board, partners in service, and the people we serve know how much we appreciate each other.
- We act with empathy and compassion. We know that everyone has a story so we don’t judge. Instead, we let our compassion and empathy guide our behavior in our interactions with others.
- We are resourceful. We make decisions thoughtfully and we manage our resources responsibly.
- We keep our commitments. We do what we say we will do. We follow through by meeting our obligations honestly and consistently.
LEADERSHIP
Ann Wheat
Executive Director
Ann Wheat has served as the director of family caregiver services since 2014 and is now Duet’s Executive Director. She holds a bachelor’s degree and has completed graduate studies in recreational management from the University of Arizona. Ann was a member of the Duet Board of Directors from 1999-2005 and co-chaired Duet’s major fundraising events. Before her service at Duet, Ann was an acting deputy director for the City of Phoenix.
Sue Reckinger
Senior Director of Volunteer Services
Sue Reckinger has served as the director of volunteer services for Duet since 2007. Sue holds her CVA (Certification of Volunteer Management) from the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration and has worked in volunteerism since 1991. Before her service at Duet, Sue worked at the Area Agency on Aging, Region One as a volunteer specialist.
Nichole Barnes
Senior Director of Communications
Nichole Barnes has served as the director of communications of Duet since 2014. She holds a bachelor’s of business administration with a major in marketing from Iowa State University. Prior to her service at Duet, Nichole worked in development and marketing roles at World Vision and UMOM New Day Centers since 1994.
Julie Blake
Director of Operations
Julie Blake has served as the director of operations of Duet since 2013. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in mathematics from the University of Arizona. Julie started as a volunteer with Duet in 2001, helping to edit the Duet website. She was hired by Duet as an administrative assistant for Congregational Health and later as financial secretary.
Patricia Dominguez
Director of Kinship Care Services
Patricia Dominguez has served as the director of kinship care services of Duet since 1998. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Arizona State University. Patricia started at Duet as an intern in 1997 and has developed many of Duet’s kinship services from the ground up.
April Polley
Director of Congregational Health
April Polley, RN, MBA has served as the director of congregational health of Duet since 2017. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and an MBA from Grand Canyon University. Prior to her service at Duet, April directed Grand Canyon University’s Campus Health Center for 20 years, served as Clinical Adjunct Professor in GCU’s College of Nursing, and has been a parish nurse at Madison Church since 1988. She also served Duet as an educational coordinator for the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ms. Ann Wheat Executive Director, Duet: Partners In Health & Aging
Ms. Patty Park President, Vice President Financial Consulting, Northern Trust
Ms. Ellen Dean President Elect, Certified Financial Planner, Raymond James Financial Services
Ms. Linda Coughenour Immediate Past President, Director, Consumer Affairs, SRP
Dr. Wilma Basnett Emerson Secretary, Superintendent, Osborn Elementary School District, Retired
Ms. Nancy Zikias Treasurer, Sales and Marketing Specialist, Altria Sales and Distribution, Retired
Ms. Janice Brandt Assistant Treasurer, Renewable Customer Generation Program Consultant, APS
Ms. Andrea Garcia Real Estate Advisor & Family Transition Specialist, S4 Real Estate Group
Ms. Clare Goldsberry Owner, ProWrite Communications, Semi-Retired
Ms. Carol Heimann Faith Community Nurse
Ms. Stacey Johnson Attorney, Law Office of Stacey L. Johnson
Mr. John Kearns President, Ringler Associates, Retired
Dr. Pauline Komnenich Professor and Director, Nurse Educator Program ASU College of Nursing and Health Innovation
Rabbi Arthur Lavinsky Spiritual Leader
Mr. Pat Poulson Owner, Pat Poulson Productions
Mr. Bob Roth Managing Partner, Cypress HomeCare Solutions
Mr. Bill Tabinsky Regional President, One Beacon Insurance, Retired
Mr. Stu Turgel Philanthropy and Nonprofit Consultant, President & CEO, Jewish Community Foundation, Retired
Dr. Karen Vanaskie Sr. Network Care Management Program Director, Innovation Care Partners
Mr. Gerald Wood Merchandising, Design & Operations Manager, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Retired
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
We have an opening for a Coordinator of Volunteer Services for Homebound Adults. Duet coordinates high quality volunteer services to help homebound adults live in their own homes and feel less isolated. This key full-time position carries out all facets of Duet’s ongoing volunteer services and assists as a valued team member in strengthening and growing Duet’s volunteer services. See the full description and how to apply here.
We have an opening for a Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator. This is a part-time, 24 hours-per-week position that assists in creating and implementing strategic communication goals that advance Duet’s mission to be widely recognized and inspire the community to volunteer, donate, and ask for help. See the full description and how to apply here.
Financial Reports
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