UCOM

Restore Hope Advisory Committee

 

Rev. Doug Van Doren:  As the pastor of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, Rev. Van Doren has guided his congregation through membership and ministry to becoming an Open and Affirming, Just Peace congregation actively involved with justice and peace issues in the community.  He is a member of the Grand Rapids Urban League Board of Directors and a Board Member and Secretary of Community Housing Committee
Dr. Daniel Rooks, Psy.D, is a licensed psychologist with 19 years of clinical experience in a variety or treatment settings.  For the past 15 years, Dr. Rooks has practiced psychotherapy in a private practice setting in Holland, MI.  He has facilitated classes in Nonviolent Communication in a number of settings including the Kent County Corrections - Community Reentry Center.  Dr. Rooks has also served on the board for the past six years and is currently board president of Humanity For Prisoners, a Grand Haven based non-profit organization which provides a variety of advocacy and direct support services to incarcerated individuals and their families.
 

Thomas F. (Sandy) Bigelow, Jr.: Mr. Bigelow, Jr. first met David C. Moore at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin in 1959.  Currently retired, he had a career of more than 30 years in various sales, management, and executive positions in the Insurance and Risk Management industry.  Mr. Bigelow interrupted his business career from 1980 - 1983, when he served as Camping Services Director for the Grand Rapids YMCA.
Jan Haringsma: Ms. Haringsma most recently worked with ex-offenders as a Job Placement Specialist with "Project Freedom," an 18-month program funded through the United States Department of Labor and overseen by ASCET. She also worked with jail residents through the Women's Resource Center.
  Linnea Mitchell, D.S., L.B.S.W.: Ms. Mitchell provides direct services for consumers of community mental health coming from jail or prison. Her prior criminal justice experiences include victim advocacy for the prosecutor's office and coordinator for programs in the justice system, including the 61st. and Kent County Circuit Courts, Grand Rapids Police Department, and Kent County Prosecutor's Office. She has coordinated the Victim Impact Panel for drunk driving and worked in the areas of domestice violence, sexual assalt, homicide crimes and substance abuse. Ms. Mitchell has also been involved with Interfaith Hospitality Network, Resources Against Violent Encounters, Child and Family Resource Council and the Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee. She has committed to volunteering as a case manager for Restore Hope's in-house participants.
Marge Palmerlee: The Executive Director of Degage Ministries. Ms. Palmerlee is a member of many local committees including the Prostitution Roundtable, Grand Rapids Restorative Justice Initiative and Re-entry Roundtable. In her 15 years of involvement with the homeless population, she has had numerous opportunities to both learn and share her expertise regarding issues surrounding housing and ex-offenders. She is currently working with Miriam Aukerman of Legal Aid of West Michigan on a Declaratory Ruling regarding sex offenders staying within 1000 feet of a school. Ms. Palmerlee passionately supports issues of compassion, mercy and justice.
Dr. Bruce Roller, DD: Prior to his appointment as the Executive Director of UCOM, Dr. Roller had 25 years of experience as an author, a pastor, and a professor for Samaritan College. As a "tent-making pastor," he worked in IT Operations for S. Abraham and Sons and Country Fresh in Grand Rapids. Dr. Roller is responsible for administration, personnel, fund raising, church relations, donor relations and public relations for United Church Outreach Ministry.
Sondra Loucks Wilson: A life-long resident of Grand Rapids, Ms. Loucks Wilson credits her parents with setting her focus on the struggle of social justice at a young age. A graduate of the University of Michigan, with a BA in Communications, she has worked in media communication, marketing and promotion for over 20 years and is currently a freelance writer, editor, and marketing consultant. Ms. Loucks Wilson serves on the Candidate Committee of the Progressive Women's Alliance and is the facilitator of Plymouth Church's Justice and Peace Task Force.
Dorie Johnson and Cindy Gould: Dorie and Cindy are Dave's family. Both are RN's. During visits with Dave while incarceratred, they learned of his organization of Restore Hope and his work within the prison. They are committed to the pursuit of Dave's dream.

Bryan Holt holds a Bachelors degree in Public Safety Administration from Davenport University. He also holds a Certified Manager Certification from James Madison University. He currently uses his knowledge and skill set for his position as Residential Stability Coordinator for Pine Rest Prisoner Reentry Program. His areas of specialty are conflict resolution, substance abuse, counseling skills, and confidentiality. His knowledge in the reentry process is continuously growing as he builds relationships within the community and non-profit organizations. Bryan enters Ionia Bellamy Creek prison to conduct workshops for those being released. Bryan has completed numerous trainings within the mental health community to stay current in this field. On a daily basis, Bryan utilizes his leadership skills in assisting returning citizens in finding safe and affordable housing.