Goals For Life

Kate Patrick has been volunteering with Goals For Life since 2003 and joined the board in 2006. She resides in Glen Ridge with her husband and their Blue & Gold Macaw. Along with GFL, Kate is an active member of St. James Episcopal Church serving as usher and committee member, is a delegate to the Glen Ridge Civic Conference Committee, and is certified in Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention.

Lisa Ciardi is a full-time physical therapist at Semmel Center for Physical Therapy in Montclair. She also lives in Montclair with her husband, Kevin McGrath, who is a soccer coach. Lisa has five very active kids, John 16, Olivia 14, Madeline 12, Conor 6 and Aidan 3. Lisa is proud to have been a part of Goals for Life since its inception because it allows her to integrate her passion for sports with a desire to support women’s health initiatives.

Why do I do it? Sports have always been a passion of mine - the competitiveness, the bonding, the drive to reach personal or global goals, and to feel fit and healthy. This exemplifies my life. I grew up in Brooklyn, the oldest of five children, played all recreational and high school sports and then went to NYU to be a physical therapist, to learn how to rehabilitate other athletes. Through Goals for Life, I feel blessed to be meeting inspirational women and hearing their life stories which motivates me each year to continue to work for the success of this organization. I thank my kids and husband for their support and help with each year that turns and as a reminder of how precious each life is.

Kathleen M. Lee is an attorney with Vinick and Docherty, Esqs. in Roseland, NJ. Kathleen was named President of Goals For Life, Inc. in January 2004 having served on the Board of Trustees since January 2002. She first became involved with the organization when its founders called upon her to assist with the legal side of the group’s formation. Kathleen has been a volunteer coach with the West Caldwell/Caldwell Recreation Department for 7 years, currently plays soccer with the Sweeps in the Morris County Senior Soccer Association and Hillside in the Garden State Soccer League, and ran her first triathlon in July 2006.

Why do I do it? Having played soccer since I was a child growing up in Bloomfield, Goals for Life just seemed like the next logical step. As the youngest of three, with two older brothers, sports have always been a central theme in my life. To be able to do what I love and help others at the same time is a truly indescribable feeling. I am grateful for all of the support everyone has shown to Goals for Life so that we can continue to make a difference in people’s lives.

Venera Gashi is one of the founders of Goals for Life. She lives in Glen Ridge with her husband Matt and her sons, Jack, Nick and James.

Why do I do it? Soccer got me through a terrible time in my life. When the war broke out in Kosovo , where many of my close relatives live, it was difficult to think about anything other than the hardships they were going through. I found solace in my weekly games of soccer, when for a precious hour I could let go of reality and enjoy the game. Just being around my teammates was a great relief to me. After playing in a fundraiser on a dreadful cold, rainy, and windy day at Montclair State University, with so many great people involved, I took in the moment and realized how great a feeling it was. I couldn't wait to talk to somebody about how I felt, so I spoke to Lisa who was the pioneer of the entire soccer league and she matched my excitement about playing for a cause every year. We were lucky enough to have a lawyer on our team who was very excited to help, and to this day she is the driving force behind Goals For Life, our current President Kathleen Lee. One call led to another, and one woman at a time came out to play for a better day. GFL and all its members have been a constant source of joy in my life.

Martha C. Bowden is owner of the Bowden Agency, an independent insurance agency, in Glen Ridge. Martha has served as secretary of Goals for Life, Inc. since 2001. She also serves as Secretary and Trustee of The Belleville Foundation Inc. and is past president and secretary of the Belleville Lions Club, past president of the USS Thatcher DD514 Reunion Association, and former member of the Executive Committee for the Glen Ridge Community Pool. Martha also chairs the “Katrina Fund of Belleville Lions Club” which has been instrumental in affording families in the Pass Christian Mississippi area to re-establish their lives and businesses. Martha lives in Glen Ridge with her husband and son.

Ellen Paretti has served as treasurer for Goals for Life since its inception in January 2001 and became a member of the Board of Trustees in 2004. She resides in Bloomfield with her husband and two sons and is an administrative assistant for Life Management of Montclair. Ellen has performed in the Goals for Life Charity Coffeehouses and has been playing soccer since 1998.

Harvey Araton is a sports columnist for the New York Times and a Montclair resident. He is also the author of five books, including "Alive and Kicking, When Soccer Moms Take The Field And Change Their Lives Forever." The book chronicled the formation of an adult women's soccer community in the Montclair area from which Goals For Life was created. Araton's wife, Beth Albert, was an original player and is a former Goals For Life trustee. Harvey joined the GFL board in 2005.