PRI Staff
Jeff Brown, Executive Director
269.615.1027 director@haltpoverty.org Jeff Brown joined the Poverty Reduction Initiative as its Executive Director in 2008. Jeff began his career as a Housing, Events and Student Activities Administrator at Grand Valley State University. He subsequently became a small business entrepreneur and, with his wife Sandy Game, operated several businesses in Kalamazoo and Ingham Counties for over 22 years. He then became the Director of the Health and Wellness Center at the Sherman Lake YMCA. Jeff was born and raised in Kalamazoo, attended Barbour Hall Military Academy, Hackett High School and Kalamazoo College. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson College at GVSU in 1973. He helped found the Gull Lake Performing Arts Foundation, served on the Board of the Richland Area Community Center and currently serves as a Board member of the Kalamazoo Literacy Council. Jeff has been the Secretary of the Gull Lake Board of Education for 10 years. He developed and directed the Shermanator Triathlon and the Pace for Poverty run in the Gull Lake Area. He advises and assists organizations in producing major events. Jeff and his wife have three adult children and enjoy sports, performing arts and family activities. |     
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Kelcie Douglas, Assistant to the Director
269.387.2678 kelcied@haltpoverty.org
Kelcie grew up in the beauty of Leelanau County, Michigan. She found a second home in Kalamazoo after moving to attend school at Kalamazoo College. In 2009, Kelcie received her bachelor’s degree in the Liberal Arts, majoring in History and Art. Hoping to remain in Kalamazoo to learn more of the community she grew to love, Kelcie found herself connected with the Poverty Reduction Initiative after college. Beginning her service with the PRI as an AmeriCorps VISTA, Kelcie has since joined the staff as a part-time employee. She will be working with staff to create a new approach to education around poverty and the systemic barriers that affect so many of our lives.
Kelcie finds her motivation to educate others on poverty through the struggles those in our community face on a daily basis. Through her work at the PRI, Kelcie witnesses the power education has to change minds and make a difference: this motivates her to move forward in raising awareness.
In September of 2011, Kelcie began a Master’s program in Rehabilitation Counseling and Teaching with a specialization in Blindness and Low Vision at Western Michigan University.
Away from her desk, Kelcie enjoys being outdoors, reading cookbooks and venturing into the world to meet its people.
269.387.2678 kelcied@haltpoverty.org
Kelcie grew up in the beauty of Leelanau County, Michigan. She found a second home in Kalamazoo after moving to attend school at Kalamazoo College. In 2009, Kelcie received her bachelor’s degree in the Liberal Arts, majoring in History and Art. Hoping to remain in Kalamazoo to learn more of the community she grew to love, Kelcie found herself connected with the Poverty Reduction Initiative after college. Beginning her service with the PRI as an AmeriCorps VISTA, Kelcie has since joined the staff as a part-time employee. She will be working with staff to create a new approach to education around poverty and the systemic barriers that affect so many of our lives.
Kelcie finds her motivation to educate others on poverty through the struggles those in our community face on a daily basis. Through her work at the PRI, Kelcie witnesses the power education has to change minds and make a difference: this motivates her to move forward in raising awareness.
In September of 2011, Kelcie began a Master’s program in Rehabilitation Counseling and Teaching with a specialization in Blindness and Low Vision at Western Michigan University.
Away from her desk, Kelcie enjoys being outdoors, reading cookbooks and venturing into the world to meet its people.
Pam Burpee, Americorps VISTA: Program & Resources Developer
269.615.2001 priresources@haltpoverty.org
Pam was born and raised here in Kalamazoo, graduated in 2006 with her degree in Criminal Justice, and is pursuing her Master's Degree in Public Administration at WMU. As a lifelong resident, service to her community has always been a priority. She serves as a board member for the Community Action Tripartite Advisory Board as well as Legal Aid of Western Michigan. Pam began her AmeriCorps VISTA service in February of 2010 and will volunteer for three 1-year terms.
As the current Resource and Program developer, Pam identifies gaps in service provision, opportunities for collaborative programming in the community, and the resources (funding) necessary to make these poverty reduction efforts operate.
A quote that she lives by: "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference" ~ Sir Winston Churchill
269.615.2001 priresources@haltpoverty.org
Pam was born and raised here in Kalamazoo, graduated in 2006 with her degree in Criminal Justice, and is pursuing her Master's Degree in Public Administration at WMU. As a lifelong resident, service to her community has always been a priority. She serves as a board member for the Community Action Tripartite Advisory Board as well as Legal Aid of Western Michigan. Pam began her AmeriCorps VISTA service in February of 2010 and will volunteer for three 1-year terms.
As the current Resource and Program developer, Pam identifies gaps in service provision, opportunities for collaborative programming in the community, and the resources (funding) necessary to make these poverty reduction efforts operate.
A quote that she lives by: "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference" ~ Sir Winston Churchill
Lisa Gernand, AmeriCorps VISTA: Event Coordinator
269.615.1383 povertysimulation@haltpoverty.org
Born and raised in the beautiful state of Michigan, Lisa is a Kalamazoo College graduate, earning her B.A. in the study of Religion in 2010. Immediately upon graduating Lisa moved from her home state to Seattle, WA with the Lutheran Volunteer Corps. In Seattle she worked as a housing counselor and program coordinator for women in a Transitional Housing Facility and lived with 5 women in an intentional community exploring the idea of Peace through Justice.
Lisa feels that her role as Event Coordinator and Poverty Simulation Facilitator at PRI complements her passion for justice work, her love of interacting with and building relationships with other humans, and her belief in experiential education as a catalyst for progressive social change. Returning back to her beloved Mitten state, Lisa is thrilled to be again surrounded by the vibrant and nurturing community that is Kalamazoo.
In her spare time Lisa enjoys running, hiking, canoeing, swimming in Lake Michigan, cooking, listening to NPR, and playing with her favorite dog, Hank.
Sara Wallenfang, AmeriCorps VISTA: Communications
269.387.2678 publicrelations@haltpoverty.org
Sara grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan and earned her B.A. in English from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. She has considerable knowledge of issues affecting the working poor. After traveling the country as a union organizer and labor movement communications director, she recently returned to West Michigan to help care for her mother, who suffers from a rare form of dementia.
Bringing real stories of local poverty to a larger audience will be Sara's top priority during her AmeriCorp VISTA service with PRI, because she believes that individuals and families experiencing poverty are empowered by sharing.
In her spare time, Sara enjoys reading, cooking and gardening. After more than a decade of living out of a suitcase, she is thrilled to be putting down roots in Kalamazoo.
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269.387.2678 publicrelations@haltpoverty.org
Sara grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan and earned her B.A. in English from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. She has considerable knowledge of issues affecting the working poor. After traveling the country as a union organizer and labor movement communications director, she recently returned to West Michigan to help care for her mother, who suffers from a rare form of dementia.
Bringing real stories of local poverty to a larger audience will be Sara's top priority during her AmeriCorp VISTA service with PRI, because she believes that individuals and families experiencing poverty are empowered by sharing.
In her spare time, Sara enjoys reading, cooking and gardening. After more than a decade of living out of a suitcase, she is thrilled to be putting down roots in Kalamazoo.
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