Board of Directors
Helping Hands Chaplaincy is a non-profit, 501(c)3 corporation; Tax ID# 93-4237459
Rev. Heather Megill (Board President / Minister) received her Master of Divinity degree from Starr King School for the Ministry, where she studied interfaith chaplaincy, grief work, and interreligious rituals. She is ordained through the Order of Universal Interfaith and serves as the Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Solana Beach (uufsd.org). Heather's chaplaincy is geared toward family systems, grief work, and social justice. She is a member of the San Dieguito Interfaith Ministers' Association and the Association of Professional Chaplains. Sermons: megillmusic.com/blog
Eileen Freedland (Treasurer / Lay Chaplain) holds an MSW from the University of Michigan and was in private practice in Michigan for 27 years. She became certified in EMDR, a type of psychotherapy used in the treatment of trauma, and both practiced and taught this method to other clinicians in her community. Eileen is currently on the Board of the Democratic Club of Carlsbad and Oceanside serving as their First Vice Chair. She is also on the Compassionate Care team of UUFSD and serves as a Lay Chaplain under Reverend Heather. She’s involved with MASS (Mutual Aid Support System) and Tias 78, both of which help underserved families in the Oceanside and Carlsbad areas.
Beth Megill (Secretary) MFA in Dance, Language of Dance® Teacher Trainer, Yoga Teacher, Pilates Instructor, Consent Culture in the Performing Arts Advocate, and Choreographer. Beth joins the Helping Hands board work from a compassionate space for mental health and somatic awareness. She supports individuals and groups on their paths toward cultivating wellness, connection, open dialogue, growth and grace in their community. As an advocate for consent culture in the performing arts, she brings a set of values to her work that include curiosity, courage, clear communication, resilience, grit, ease, and compassion. As a somatic informed teacher she fosters patiently navigating difficult spaces for healing while practicing generosity and goodwill toward yourself, others, and the whole world.
Karla Mayer (Elder Care Consultant) holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from the University of Illinois and provides compassionate, client-centered care management and advocacy for older adults and vulnerable individuals. Her services include healthcare advocacy, care coordination, life review and downsizing support, and resource navigation. Karla's holistic approach focuses on preserving dignity, promoting independence, enhancing quality of life, and providing peace of mind for families as they navigate aging and life's transitions.