Restoring Wellness Through
Compassionate Human Touch
Two populations are breaking — nurses and elders. We bring comfort, connection, and healing through intentional touch and presence.
The Crisis
The Crisis No One Saw Coming
It began in the silence of COVID-19. It deepened with the disappearance of human touch. Now, the caregivers holding our system together are breaking — and elders are paying the price.
100,000+
nurses have left since 2020
1 in 3
elders suffer from touch deprivation
93%
end shifts exhausted
66%
of residents receive no regular visitors
Caregivers Are Breaking
Staffing shortages are reaching crisis levels. Behind every statistic is a caregiver carrying too much. Trauma, grief, and exhaustion are driving workers away.
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900,000+ nurses projected to leave by 2027
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$4.4 million annual loss per hospital from turnover
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40% worry patient care suffers due to fatigue
Elders Are Isolated
Those who need care the most are receiving it the least. When connection disappears, elders decline faster. This is the silent epidemic no one is talking about.
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Loneliness increases risk of dementia and heart disease
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Emotional isolation accelerates physical decline
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Families are overwhelmed and unable to fill the gap
"Human connection isn't a luxury — it's infrastructure. Two populations are breaking for the same reason: the loss of human connection."
OUR MISSION
Restoring wellness through compassionate human touch
"Wellness with intention"
Lend A Hand Wellness Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit restoring human connection through therapeutic touch. We serve two populations in crisis: elders facing isolation and healthcare workers experiencing burnout. Through our signature programs, Touch Is Ageless for elders and Restoring the Restorers for nurses and caregivers we bring healing, dignity, and hope. Our work rebuilds the care ecosystem from the inside out, one touch, one life, one moment of connection at a time.
One Mission, Two Pathways
We restore human connection through intentional touch and rebuild the care ecosystem from the inside out.
Born from love, Built for healing
Tribute to Mama Jewl
Co-founders Dawud Ali and Nunzi De Siervo pay tribute to the woman whose quiet strength and radiant spirit inspired this mission.
Mama Jewl was the grace, dignity, and heartbeat of her family. As her daughter, Nunzi had the honor of caring for her for ten years—a journey that revealed the profound power of presence, healing touch, and emotional restoration.
Dawud, her beloved massage therapist, brought comfort and connection through his gentle care. His compassion became part of her legacy and part of this foundation's DNA.
"Her love lives in them. Her legacy lives in this mission."
— Dawud & Nunzi
OUR IMPACT
What Happens When Human Connection Returns
When human connection is restored, the entire care ecosystem begins to heal.
Built on Evidence
Evidence-based touch and connection practices with measurable outcomes.
Cost-Effective
Reduces costs by improving retention and reducing physical decline.
Seamless Integration
Designed to integrate seamlessly into existing care settings.
Measurable Results
Creates measurable emotional and operational outcomes.
Dual Support
Supports both sides of the care equation — elders and caregivers.
Who We Serve
We restore dignity, resilience, and connection through intentional touch and healing presence.
Elders in long-term care and community settings
Nurses and caregivers on the front lines
Families who rely on both
Communities that depend on a functioning care system
"We strengthen the system from the inside out."
PROGRAMS
Two programs. One mission.
Restoring wellness through compassionate human touch.
For Elders
Touch Is Ageless
Restorative human connection that reduces loneliness, improves mood, and restores dignity.
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Reduced loneliness and emotional distress
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Improved mood, engagement, and sense of dignity
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Slower cognitive and physical decline
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Stronger relationships with caregivers and family
For Nurses & Caregivers
Restoring the Restorers
Onsite healing experiences that reduce burnout, improve resilience, and support retention.
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Lower burnout and emotional fatigue
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Increased resilience and job satisfaction
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Improved retention and workplace morale
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A renewed sense of purpose and identity
JOIN OUR MISSION
The Crisis Is Clear. The Solution Is Ready.
Nurses are breaking. Elders are breaking. Families and communities are feeling the ripple. Human connection is disappearing from care. Join us in rebuilding the human infrastructure of care — one touch at a time.
Meet Our Leadership
Visionary leaders united by a shared commitment to restoring wellness through compassionate care.
Dawud Ali
Co-Founder & Board Chair
Dawud Ali is the Co‑Founder and Board Chair of Lend A Hand Senior Wellness Foundation. A Master Licensed Massage Therapist and founder of A Friend In Knead Massage & Wellness, Dawud brings decades of experience in therapeutic touch, holistic wellness, and community care.
His profound bond with Mama Jewl, whom he served as her personal massage therapist, became the living blueprint for the foundation’s mission: restoring dignity, connection, and emotional wellness through compassionate human touch.
Dawud is an approved provider with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) and the 2024 New Jersey Swedish Massage Champion.
A gifted musician and certified audio engineer, Dawud infuses harmony, presence, and artistry into every healing environment. His guiding principle reflects his approach to care and leadership: “Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.” — Leonardo da Vinci
Nunzi De Siervo
Co-Founder, Vice Chair & Executive Director
Nunzi De Siervo is the Co‑Founder, Vice Chair, and Executive Director of Lend A Hand Senior Wellness Foundation. Her leadership is rooted in lived devotion: for more than a decade, Nunzi served as primary caregiver to her mother, Jewl, an experience that shaped the foundation’s mission to restore dignity, connection, and emotional wellness for elders.
Nunzi previously founded Ability Beyond Sight, a nonprofit empowering blind massage therapists through economic opportunity and public awareness. Her work now expands into restorative elder care, strategic partnerships, and legacy‑driven program development.
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Nunzi serves as Spa Director for a major wellness franchise, guiding brand growth and operational excellence. She holds an associate’s degree in business, is a Board Certified skincare specialist, and has earned multiple wellness certifications. Her contributions were recognized with the 2016 New Jersey Salute to Champions Award.
Nunzi leads with clarity, compassion, and purpose—transforming personal experience into a mission of intergenerational healing.
Lauren Khalifeh
Secretary
BSN, RN, HNB-BC, Caritas Coach®
Lauren Khalifeh, BSN, RN, HNB‑BC, Caritas Coach®, is a board‑certified holistic nurse and certified Pranic Healer whose work bridges clinical practice with energy‑based healing. Her integrative approach advances emotional resilience, dignity, and whole‑person wellness across diverse care settings.
Lauren’s research on Pranic Healing in geriatric emergency care was presented to the Chronic Healing Research Institute in Bogotá, Colombia, establishing her as a rising voice in energy medicine for elder populations. Guided by Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, she blends caring science with subtle‑energy practices to restore balance and connection.
A featured speaker at global Caritas Consortiums and Chronic Healing Conferences, Lauren inspires healthcare professionals to view healing as a sacred exchange. Her presence brings depth, grace, and intentionality to every environment dedicated to human connection and compassionate care.
Catherine Ponterio
Treasurer
BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC, CCAP
Catherine “Cathy” Ponterio, BSN, RN, HNB‑BC, HWNC‑BC, CCAP, is a board‑certified holistic nurse and integrative care advocate with more than 20 years of clinical experience at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. Her work centers on supporting cancer patients throughout chemotherapy and radiation with evidence‑based integrative therapies, emotional grounding, and whole‑person care.
Cathy blends clinical expertise with holistic modalities—including wellness coaching, aromatherapy, and energy‑based practices—to reduce anxiety, ease treatment‑related stress, and restore dignity and calm. She is known for her steady presence, compassion, and ability to support patients and families through complex medical experiences.
Beyond her clinical role, Cathy is a connector, educator, and champion for bringing human touch and holistic support back into hospital environments. Her lived experience and unwavering commitment to integrative care make her an invaluable member of the Lend A Hand Senior Wellness Foundation’s leadership.
Natalie Fedorchenko
Board Member
Master Esthetician, Oncology Certified
Natalie Fedorchenko is a Master Esthetician with more than 15 years of experience in skincare, spa management, and client education. Her work blends advanced esthetic treatments with a holistic, compassionate approach that helps clients look and feel their best.
As an Oncology Certified Esthetician, Natalie provides specialized care for vulnerable populations, including elders navigating illness, recovery, and skin sensitivity. She honors the skin as a vessel of comfort and dignity, offering gentle, personalized treatments that restore radiance and resilience.
Natalie’s expertise includes microcurrent, microneedling, acne therapy, skin tag removal, and Gua Sha massage, integrating ancient techniques with modern science to support long‑term wellness. Her presence on the board reflects her commitment to healing, education, and the transformative power of skin‑to‑soul care.
Committed to Transparency
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are committed to full transparency and accountability. Our board members serve without compensation, dedicating their expertise and passion to our mission of restoring wellness through compassionate human touch.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Every act of compassion creates a ripple. If you’d like to connect, collaborate, or learn more about our mission, we welcome the conversation.
Mailing Address: 1 Walter Hammond Place #321 Waldwick, NJ 07463‑9998
Contact Co‑Founders
Dawud Ali – dawud.ali@lendahandwellness.org
201-410-6755