THE TEAM
HOVER OVER a photo below to learn more about our TEAM!
"Alone we can do
so little,
together we can do so much."
- Helen Keller
oUR AMAZING sTAFF
natasha
doan-motsinger
As a Washtenaw County resident, Natasha enjoys making a difference in the lives of people in her community and is eager to find new and exciting ways to serve our foster care population. In her previous work as the regional director for Excel Employment Options in Washtenaw and Livingston counties, she led the transitions, employment, therapy and ABA services, fueling her passion for working with transition-age youth and she's excited to bring that experience to Our House. She is a frequent speaker on transition services, is active on multiple county committees, and a member of the board of directors for the Michigan Rehabilitation Association.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling.
executive
director
she/her
KATY
dEhAVEN
Katy received her Graduate Degree in Community Development from Northwest University. Her work as a youth Mentor and time with the Boys and Girls Club gave her a passion for community engagement and youth-centered organizations.
Katy recently moved to the Ypsilanti area from Seattle, Washington and looks forward to exploring all the beauty that Michigan holds.
She is a big fan of coffee, the outdoors, running and good food. She is a huge sports fan, especially the Oregon Ducks, and has binged watched every episode of Greys Anatomy.
Katy is excited to meet all of the wonderful people who make up the Our House Community.
program
director
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she/her
ANNA
DiGiovanni
Anna's interest in foster care began at age seven when three of her four brothers joined her family from California's foster care system.
While earning her degree in Sociology from the University of Iowa, Anna worked as a resident assistant for two years where she found enjoyment mentoring students in their transition into young adulthood. Her Penn State master's thesis explored sibling placement in foster care.
Anna is eager to step back from studying people on paper and return to working with transition-age youth in daily life by joining the Our House team.
Program
Manager
she/her
Emma
roeder
Emma has worked with teenagers and adults in a variety of educational settings, including literacy and arts education, personal finance workshops, and as an outdoor educator at a program for at-risk youth.
Emma started as a mentor with Our House in 2020, and a year later joined the MOSAIC team. They are currently pursuing a Master's degree at Eastern Michigan University to become a Secondary English Teacher.
Emma is passionate about understanding how education can strengthen our communities, as well as how to create informed and inclusive educational opportunities for learners. This informs their work at Our House.
mosaic
assistant manager
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they/them
mary
buzzard
Mary grew up in Washtenaw County and has always had a love for Michigan and the people in it!
After graduating from Spring Arbor University, she found her passion working for non profits Washtenaw and Jackson Counties. Her work took her to Illinois where she worked in a residential school for youth needing a safe and healthy space to call home. Working and living with the youth she cared for, she taught and modeled independent living skills, and loved seeing her students grow and learn. Now back in her home state, Mary is excited about the opportunity to work with Our House.
Mary lives in Ypsilanti with her husband and daughter. She loves reading, cooking, art, and finding ways to engage with the community and people around her.
Volunteer
coordinator
she/her
Ayana
Jenkins
Ayana's passion is to work with various groups of people.
A Michigan resident, Ayana attended Eastern Michigan University where she received her undergraduate degree in Social Work. During this time she interned with Avalon Housing serving the homeless population. She also has three years of experience working with children with disabilities as a Behavior Technician and Client Relations Manager.
Currently attending school at the University of Michigan as a Master's of Social Work student, Ayana continues to utilize the combination of experience and skills to provide assistance and support as a Success Coach at Our House.
MOSAIC
Coordinator
she/her
jasmyn
tooles
Jasmyn has a commitment for working with others to gain a better quality of life. Her variety of experiences and social work background create a great foundation and she is excited to grow with Our House.
After working in a variety of roles at EMU's Bright Futures supporting, engaging, and empowering K-12 youth, Jasmyn interned at EMU's Family Empowerment Program doing case management work. She also participated in CloseUp, a theatre troupe focused on sharing real life/college experiences and getting people to think, feel, & engage. In 2020, she obtained her 200 hour yoga teacher certification and focuses on self-
healing and self-love.
Jasmyn has a bachelor's degree in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University and a master's degree in Social Work, focused on Children, Youth & Families, from the University of
Michigan.
youth
coordinator
she/her
Paige
martin
After a couple of detours, Paige is excited to be following her calling and pursuing her undergraduate degree in Social Work at Eastern Michigan University.
She is excited to combine learning with practice as a Success Coach with Our House!
success
coach
she/her
hawthorn
Stabler
Hawthorn is passionate about youth empowerment and mutual aid. They got their start in the social work field working with queer teens at an LGBTQ resource center in Oregon state. Since then they have worked in social policy, been a preschool teacher, a baker, and worked with homeless adults and families in supportive housing.
Hawthorn loves art and working in nature. In their spare time, they are also a board member of a local queer film festival and works in real estate.
success
coach
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they/them
oUR PASSIONATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Edward Goldman, JD, is a full time faculty member in the University of Michigan Medical School Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology working in the Center for Reproductive Rights. He is also a Professor at the University Of Michigan Law School where he teaches courses in health law and the legal and ethical aspects of research. He was head of the Health Systems Legal Office at the University of Michigan 1978 to 2009.
Ed
Goldman
president
Gini Harmon's career included 35 years with Michigan’s public and mental health systems as a clinician, a program manager, and an executive within the Dept. of Mental Health (now DHHS). As Deputy Director with the Michigan Dept. of Community Health (MDCH), Gini spearheaded many of Michigan’s earliest Permanent Supportive Housing efforts and served as the liaison with state and federal housing agencies. She chaired inter-agency initiatives and worked with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to initiate and manage the state’s Supportive Housing programs. She also worked in an inter-agency capacity on foster care and licensure issues. After retirement, she provided consulting for struggling housing developments and partners. Gini later served as a court-appointed child advocate (CASA) and co-coordinated the Washtenaw County CASA program.
virginia
harmon
vice president
Jeff has practiced public accounting for 20 years during which he has provided audit, accounting, tax and consulting services to clients in many different industries. He is president Stefforia, Petik & Associates, P.C., a licensed CPA in the State of Michigan, and a graduate of Walsh College.
Jeff is a member of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Washtenaw Estate Planning Council. He has been the treasurer and vice-chair of the Alzheimer's Association, and treasurer of The Neutral Zone, an Ann Arbor teen leadership development organization.
jeff
stefforia
Treasurer
JENNIFER
mONAHAN
Secretary
Jennifer has spent the last 17 years of her career helping incarcerated men and women receive their secondary education credentials and enter the work force with the assistance of both Federal and State grants. She has been involved with AmeriCorps, local literacy initiatives, Dawn Farms, and grant writing to fund afterschool education programming in local housing communities. Most recently, her work focuses on transition age young adults exiting the judicial system and returning to the community and families.
As a young adult and a single mother, she faced homelessness and is now a proud first-generation homeowner. She also raised six children, three of which were not her biological children. She is most proud of her children’s success as they have entered the world of higher education and employment. Her oldest daughter is now in the process of becoming a foster parent herself.
Matt Bellamy is a recent graduate from the University of Michigan with a Ph.D in English Language and Literature. Prior to his post-graduate work he earned a M.A. in English, also from the U of M, and a B.A. in English and Psychology from Vanderbilt University. As a part of Teach for America, he taught middle school science and coached track and field in Jacksonville, FL.
His passion for youth advocacy and education has led him to grant writing work in the nonprofit sector, both locally and abroad. He is a current lecturer in the department of American Culture at the University of Michigan.
matt
Bellamy
director
Olushola Samuel is the Division Administrator of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes at Michigan Medicine, where he oversees division finances, human resources, clinical operations, research administration, and faculty affairs for its 65 faculty members.
In his health care career, he has also worked at Beaumont Health, where he was the administrator for Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Henry Ford Health System, where led special projects in population health and performance improvement.
Olushola holds a B.A. in Public Policy from the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and an M.P.H. in Health Management and Policy from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
olushola samuel
director
Michael became acquainted with Our House as a facilitator for a Second Saturday program presented to our young men. During the week, he serves as the Program Director for the Michigan College Advising Corps for the Center for Educational Outreach where he has led external partnerships and field programs and managed the k-12 outreach initiative. He currently consults U-M faculty, staff and department leads regarding best practices when exposing, engaging, and inspiring K-12 populations to post-secondary education. Over the last 12 years, Michael has developed expertise in community development, knowledge of U-M, K-12 and parent/guardian outreach and engagement, and working with at-risk youth.
Michael holds a Bachelors of Fine and Performing Arts with an emphasis on Theater from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Social Work from Eastern Michigan University.
