:: USC Volunteer Bios!!!

2007-08 Ogden House Community

Fredericka "Fred" Banks-Fredericka is a graduate from Regis University in Colorado Springs with a degree in Liberal Arts and Education. She has been taking additional classes at Metro State College in Denver. Fredericka has been leading Sunday school at her church as well as being involved in other church activities. She enjoys singing and reading the Harry Potter series. Fredericka will join our community as the Program Assistant at Disability Center for Independent Living (DCIL).

Tyler Goswick-Tyler is a graduate from Regis University in Denver with degrees in Mathematics and Philosophy. Tyler enjoys leading Sunday school classes and tutoring. He has had the opportunity to study in Spain and spend time in El Salvador. Tyler ran on the cross country team at college as well as being a part of the Romero House Peace and Justice Programs, he also enjoys a good game of basketball or dodgeball. Tyler will be joining us as the part-time Outreach Coordinator at Arvada United Methodist Church and part-time Local Assistance Ministry Coordinator at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Kate Hunt-Kate is spending a second year with the Urban Servant Corps. Kate graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa in 2006. She graduated with degrees in Political Science and History. Kate spent an amazing 3 months in the Canadian Arctic on the Back River on an intense whitewater canoe trip between high school and college. Kate enjoys reading, politics, volunteering, sports, and the outdoors. Kate continues on as an Outreach Counselor at Urban Peak.

Celia Myers-Celia is a graduate from Berkeley in California where she also had the opportunity to live in a co-op. She has spent time volunteering with the Dorothy Day House, partaking in Hurricane relief efforts, and working on various mission trips. Celia enjoys traveling, reading, and cooking vegetarian food. Celia will join our community as a Direct Services Coordinator at Metro CareRing.

Scott Piebenga-Scott joined the Urban Servant Corps a mere two days before orientation began! A graduate of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Scott came to the USC after a year of Americorps service doing community organizing with the Edison Neighborhood Association. Scott interests include community theater and improv, cooking in community, skateboarding, ultimate frisbee, jogging, hiking and reading and writing. This year he serves as a Shelter Assistant at St. Francis Center.

Angie Schaeffer-Angie graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls with a B.A. in Psychology and Communication Disorders. At Augustana Angie has been a part of Youth Outreach where she has had the opportunity to lead lock-ins and other activities for high school and junior high aged youth. Angie has spent the past three summers working at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp in Montana. In her spare time Angie prepares meals at the local soup kitchen, journals, knits, enjoys a good book, sings, and gets outside to soak up the great outdoors. Angie will join the USC as a Case Manager at Denver Urban Ministries.

Kaija Swisher-Kaija graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls with degrees in Secondary Education and English and has spent this past year in Slovakia at an international youth center through the ELCA Global Missions program. She has had the opportunity to spend time in Mexico and on the Pine Ridge Reservation on mission trips. She enjoys reading, hiking, crocheting, traveling, outdoor sports, experimenting in the kitchen, and hosting random get-togethers. Kaija serves this year as Program Coordinator at the Interfaith Hospitality Network.

Jean Tsen-Jean graduated from Waldorf College in Forest City Iowa. In college, she was an R.A, a Bible study group leader, and she had a stint as a percussionist/timpani player in the Waldorf Wind Symphony. Jean grew up in Malaysia, and enjoys playing the piano, translating and sharing worship songs, tambourine dancing (a form of Malaysian worship) and building relationships with others. One of her favorite quotes is, "They don't care about what you know, until they know you care." Jean joins USC this year as a Direct Services Assistant at The Gathering Place-a day shelter for women and children.

Julia Zaffarano-Julia is a graduate from Luther College with a major in Religion and a minor in Communications. She spent two January terms off campus; one term as an intern in an inner-city church in New Haven, Connecticut and the other term in Brazil learning about extreme poverty and its effect on religion. Julia enjoys promoting Fair Trade policies, being politically active, engaging in theological conversations, gardening, hiking, singing, and reading. More than anything, she loves spending quality time with people over a good cup of coffee. Julia joins the USC community as a Direct Care Counselor at Urban Peak in the youth shelter.

2007-08 5 and 9 House Community

Danielle Birch-Danielle is a graduate from Luther College in Iowa with a degree in Biology. Danielle was able to spend time in Brazil and South Africa while in school. She also worked as a Child Life Assistant at the Children's Hospital in Alaska. Danielle enjoys dancing (which she's done since she was a wee little one), hiking, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, reading, and beading. Danielle will is the Youth Program Specialist at Girls Inc. of Metro Denver.

Laura Chabot-Laura graduated from the University of Dayton with a degree in Sociology. She has worked as a lifeguard and spent time volunteering at Standing Rock Reservation. She enjoys camping, hiking, sketching, playing the flute and piccolo, and dancing. Laura serves as the Program Instructor/Assistant at Focus Points Family Resource Center.

Annice Correia-Before Annice's big decision to join the USC, she graduated from Providence College in Providence Rhode Island. Annice has a passion for politics and advocacy, demonstrated by her work with the Oregon Bus Project in the summer of 2006 where she helped to register voters for the' 06 election in Portland, OR. She also sings and loves to run and to throw discus and shot-put, and has been a tutor and coach. With an interest in public health issues, Annice joins the USC community as a 12-T (alternate court sentencing) case manager at the Empowerment Program for Women.

Nicholas Delmonico-Nick joins us for his second year of service. He graduated from Metro State College of Denver with a degree in Speech Communications, specializing in Public Address and Rhetorical Studies, and minor in Human Services receiving an Alternative Teacher License. He has spent time in Ireland and Scotland learning of their history. Nick enjoys hiking, golfing, dancing, hanging out at coffee shops, and visiting with friends. And, if you're ever looking for a good laugh, Nick will make your day as the resident comedian.

Amy Engelbrekt-Amy is a graduate of Luther College in Iowa with a double major in Art and Religion and a minor in Communication. Amy has volunteered with tsunami relief through her college as well as Amnesty International and other service projects. She has also had the opportunity to study abroad in Norway while visiting neighboring countries. Amy enjoys running, dancing, movies, painting, writing, hiking, and learning the guitar. This year she serves at the Urban Servant Corps as Program Coordinator at Women's Bean Project.

Laura Meixell-Laura is a graduate from Luther College in Iowa with a Major in Religion and a Minor in Communications. She enjoys playing the guitar and baritone saxophone and running. Laura has spent two January-terms abroad; one in the Canary Islands, the other in Ghana. Laura serves as a Program Coordinator at The Gathering Place in their newly remodeled building.

Drew Rindfleisch-Drew graduated of Luther College in Iowa with a degree in Political Science. Drew has had the opportunity to spend time in Ghana during a J-term and also spent some time in Portland, OR doing a Fellowship with The Oregon Bus Project through PolitiCorps. Drew enjoyed his time as the President of Student Senate and also has fun playing basketball, soccer, and football as well as singing and Hip Hop dance. Drew will join the USC as the Urban Plunge Coordinator for the Urban Plunge Program.

Caroline Schultz-Cara is a graduate from Iowa State University with degrees in Women's Studies and International Studies. Caroline has spent a couple of summers working at Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp. She has been involved in the National Lutheran Youth Organization on Multicultural Advisory Committee, the Women's Resource and Action Center, Student Government, and has volunteered with the Emma Goldman Clinic and the Domestic Violence Intervention Program. Caroline enjoys the outdoors, playing sports, reading, music, movies, and enjoying a cup of coffee. Caroline serves as the Urban Education Coordinator at Denver Urban Ministries.