Leading With Love: Linda Miller
When Linda Miller first joined Bancroft in 1985 as a pottery teacher, she didn’t expect it to become her life’s work. In fact, she thought she might only stay a short time.
More than four decades later, her days are still filled with creativity, community outings, and new experiences for the individuals she supports.
Today, as a Therapeutic Activities Coordinator, Linda focuses on creating meaningful experiences shaped by each person’s interests and choices.
“This week we have pottery,” she says. “Later in the week, we have the Philadelphia Flower Show and trips to the Franklin Institute. We’ll also be at a Saint Patty’s Day party on Sunday. The weeks change as the seasons change, and as the interests of individuals change.”
“They tell me what they’re interested in,” she adds. “And I design activities based on that.”
A career built on possibility
Over the years, Linda has held many roles across Bancroft, stepping in wherever she was needed, from program support to operations. That flexibility reflects both her commitment and the nature of nonprofit work.
But one idea has always guided her: people deserve to experience the world around them.
She remembers walking through Haddonfield on her commute, wishing the individuals she supported could experience it the same way she did. Change came gradually, as laws changed and disability services shifted toward greater community inclusion.
Today, Linda’s dream of inclusion is a reality, and those opportunities are part of everyday life and her everyday job.
Finding joy in the everyday
For Linda, the goal is simple: help people experience joy on their own terms.
“What’s joyful for you might be different than what’s joyful for me,” she says.
That might mean a trip into the city, working on a mural, or simply watching trains pass by. You never know what someone might love until you give them the opportunity to try something new.
Her inspiration through it all has been the people she’s met along the way. Linda keeps a scrapbook filled with meaningful moments and special individuals, including photos of projects and newspaper articles through the years. An artist herself, Linda has always used creativity to connect with the individuals she supports, from pottery and painting to projects and community outings that bring art to life. She has many special memories from over the years, including meeting her husband while working together at Bancroft.
When asked what moments stand out, she recalls supporting an individual recovering from a stroke who wanted to walk again. Together, they started small by using the pool to rebuild strength over time.
After a year, he was able to walk short distances on his own.
“It changed everything for him,” Linda says. “He wasn’t depressed anymore.”
Moments like this are why she has stayed at Bancroft. Even if the work felt overwhelming, small steps can lead the way to success and grow into something lasting.
“You don’t always realize it at the time,” Linda says. “But later, you see the impact.”
Leading with love
Margaret Bancroft once said, “The secret to this work is love.”
For Linda, that still holds true.
Looking toward the future, Linda says she is always watching for that spark of interest in newer staff. Spreading joy, being ready to learn something new, and leading with love are so important to what she does every day.
We think Margaret Bancroft would agree.