The Heart Behind Route to Respite: The Cofield Family Featured in Neighbors of Whitehall

Photo by Neighbors of Whitehall Magazine

Route to Respite is honored to share that the Cofield family is featured in the April 2026 issue of Neighbors of Whitehall. The cover story, “A Journey of Compassion,” traces Leah and Steve Cofield’s deeply personal and purpose-driven path,one shaped not only by faith and resilience, but by lived experiences that ultimately led them to create spaces for healing.

Their story begins long before Route to Respite, with a connection that started in childhood in Buffalo, New York, and reemerged years later in adulthood. What followed was a relationship built through seasons of distance, reconnection, and shared growth. Alongside their journey together, they navigated many life challenges, transforming uncertainty into purpose and deepening their commitment to supporting each other and others through life’s most vulnerable moments.

That commitment only grew over time. Together, Leah and Steve have spent years serving individuals and families facing trauma, grief, and hardship, both locally and across the country and internationally, including time spent supporting communities in places like Mississippi, Lesotho Africa, and the Dominican Republic. These experiences shaped their understanding of resilience and reinforced their belief that everyone deserves to feel seen, supported, and valued.

That understanding is what led them to create Route to Respite, a faith-informed mental health and wellness practice rooted in both clinical expertise and real-life experience. Route to Respite provides one-on-one counseling, supportive care, and lifestyle-based mental health services designed to help individuals navigate trauma, grief, anxiety, burnout, and emotional overwhelm. Their approach goes beyond traditional therapy by focusing on the whole person and helping clients build practical, sustainable rhythms around rest, emotional regulation, and daily life.

In addition to their local services, Route to Respite also offers immersive, faith-informed retreats designed for individuals seeking deeper healing and restoration. These retreats are open to participants both within and outside of the Lehigh Valley, creating space for people to step away from their everyday environments and intentionally focus on their healing journey.

Leah, a Licensed Professional Counselor, brings clinical mental health expertise to the work, while Steve’s background in communications and relationship-building strengthens the organization’s ability to connect with and support diverse individuals and families. Together, they’ve created a space that feels both professional and deeply personal—where people are not just treated, but truly seen and supported.

Photo by Neighbors of Whitehall Magazine

Now rooted in the Lehigh Valley, Route to Respite serves the local community by offering accessible, compassionate care for those navigating difficult seasons. Whether someone is experiencing ongoing stress, processing loss, or simply feeling overwhelmed, the goal is to provide a place where healing feels possible and sustainable.

“We’re incredibly honored to be featured and to share a story that reflects both the challenges and the hope that can come from them,” said Leah and Steve Cofield, Co-Founders of Route to Respite. “It’s our hope that others see themselves in parts of this journey and feel encouraged to seek support, prioritize their mental health, and know they’re not alone.”

The April issue of Neighbors of Whitehall is now available, highlighting individuals and organizations, like the Cofield's, who are making a meaningful and lasting impact in the community.

For more information about Route to Respite and its services, please visit our website.

---