Happy Black History Month! Winding down on our community highlights, last but not least in our series is Patience Buckwalter, CEO and Founder Grape Leaf Cafe and Empowerment Center, LLC.
Patience is a licensed social worker and has lived in Lancaster City for 15 years. She earned her degree at Millersville University and has been a social work practitioner for 8 years in various areas of practice. Since 2016 she has been teaching at Millersville University in the Social Work Department as an adjunct faculty member. She also acts as a field liaison and a field instructor in the Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs.
“Grape Leaf Cafe and Empowerment Center is where my journey begins at wanting to provide community support and mental health services to Lancaster City. After the cafe closed in 2021, I transitioned to really focusing on my efforts around mental health services with my private practice.”
As an adoptee from Ethiopia, Patience has always had a passion for diverse cultures and backgrounds. Within the past year, she started her private practice that focuses on counseling and providing mental health services to residents of Pennsylvania.
Patience strives to provide a welcoming and peaceful atmosphere. She works tirelessly to meet her clients where they are and will work collaboratively to achieve the desired goals.
Her advice to youth in the community is, “Make sure to follow your dreams and never stop being your authentic self!”
Learn more about Patience and Grape Leaf Cafe and Empowerment Center by visiting their website!
