:: 2008-2009 Volunteer/Staff Bios

5 and 9 House

Carter Ellis-Carter graduated from Wake Forest University in North Carolina with a degree in Economics. She is an avid runner and had the opportunity to play soccer and run track at the Division I level! She has traveled to Austria and Egypt, and can speak German and French. Carter has the ability to put anyone at ease with her genuine care and good humor. Carter is committed to pursuing justice and empowering individuals, which will come in handy working as the Program Assistant at her placement, FRESC (Front Range Economic Strategic Center).

Michael Hughes-Michael joins the USC from North Carolina and is a graduate of Elon University in Elon, NC, with a degree in Corporate Communications. He has studied abroad in England, Germany, and the Czech Republic, and participated in a service trip to the Gulf Coast to do relief work for Hurricane Katrina victims. Michael has also worked as a radio DJ host for his college radio station. His other interests include photography, cooking, hiking, and playing the saxophone. Michael joins us as the Basic Services Assistant at St. Francis Center this year.

Michael Locke-There seems to be a USC tradition of always having at least two people with the same name in the program at the same time. Somehow, they often end up living in the same house. This is the case for Michael…and Michael. Michael Locke comes to Denver from Canton, Ohio, by way of Tempe, AZ. He has worked on a Christmas tree farm and in a vacuum cleaner store-making him an asset to the USC 5 and 9 community in all things maintenance this year. Michael is working with Turnabout Inc, serving individuals recently released from jail or prison with job training and placement.

Kate Hoffmeyer-Kate is from Harrisonburg, Virginia. She has recently attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Kate speaks Spanish well, and has a passion for working with youth and children. She is also a trained advocate for survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence and/or child abuse. On community, she writes, "I have learned that community is something that must be sought after. It doesn't just happen, even if all of the community members are friends." Kate is working at Urban Peak in the shelter as a Direct Care Counselor this year.

Kaitlin Schneider-Kaitlin brought her bright smile and contagious giggle from Riverview Michigan. She received her B.A. in Music from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, and spent this past summer working with youth in Steamboat, CO at the Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp. Kaitlin has been active working with other young adults in the Detroit Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and loves to read and run. She also writes a cooking column for an on-line webpage for teens! Kaitlin is working ½ time at the Ronald McDonald House and ½ time with the USC's Urban Plunge urban immersion program.

Suzanne Olive-Suzanne hails from the high plains of Brookings South Dakota, and is a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She brings a gentle spirit and passion for speaking Spanish and working with young children to the USC. Suzanne is also interested in issues of food and nutrition, environmental sustainability and fair trade. She helped to found and lead the organization SEEDS (Students Encouraging Economic Development through Solidarity) on the Luther campus. Suzanne has studied and lived in Guanajuato and Puebla México. This year she is working in the Family Area at The Gathering Place-a day shelter for women and children.

Devrin Jacobs-Devrin comes to us from Charleston, South Carolina, and has spent significant parts of his life in New York City and other regions of the U.S. He has attended Johnson and Wales University in Miami, Florida to earn a culinary degree, travelled to Nicaragua to build an orphanage with his church, assisted with Hurricane Katrina relief, and served the Boys and Girls Club in New Orleans. All of Devrin's varied experiences have nurtured his love for kids and for service. He also enjoys music-especially playing the drums and writing lyrics. Devrin is serving as a Maintenance Assistant at Family Homestead, which offers transitional housing to formerly homeless families.

Ogden House Community

Caroline Gonia-Caroline is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, with a degree in English . Caroline spent a good portion of her childhood living in Madagascar where her parents were missionaries. She has since traveled to Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and Tanzania, and can speak French. Caroline enjoys reading and anything outdoors, including horseback riding, Frisbee, and gardening. She spent her summer working as a Backpack Guide at Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp. Caroline joins the USC as the Youth Program Specialist at Girls Inc.

Drew Rindfleisch-Drew joins the USC for a second year after serving as Urban Plunge Coordinator last year. He is a 2007 graduate of Luther College in Iowa with a degree in Political Science. Drew has travelled to Ghana, worked in Portland, OR with The Oregon Bus Project through PolitiCorps., and most recently participated in an immigration immersion program in Mexico. He has fun playing basketball, soccer, and football as well as singing, doing Hip Hop dance, eating and drinking Fair Trade products, and exploring deeper issues of politics and faith. Drew works as a Youth Outreach Worker at Urban Peak.

Kim Marker-Kim joins the USC from Virginia. She is also a recent graduate of Elon University, of North Carolina, with a degree in Corporate Communications. Kim has travelled to Ghana and throughout Europe, and can speak French. Kim has a down-to-earth approach to people, while bringing the best out in everyone she encounters. She enjoys sketching, theater, dance, and playing the piano and flute. Her love of the arts makes her a great fit at The Gathering Place this year, where she is the Special Programs Assistant.

Kiri Mathsen- Kiri is a recent graduate of Luther College, with a degree in Spanish and International Studies. Moving from small town Minnesota, Kiri is enjoying what metropolitan Denver has to offer. The last two summers, she has worked with Casas por Cristo, an organization dedicated to building homes in Juarez, Mexico, for those in need. Kiri loves traveling, reading, and outdoor activities. She has a special interest in improving the world around her and may go into social work after this year. She works ½ and ½ with St. Paul's Assistance Ministry and the Urban Plunge.

Holly Pierson-Holly comes to the Urban Servant Corps after her recent graduation from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota , where she majored in Spanish and Third World Studies. Holly has a passion for service, and is fluent is Spanish. Holly has had extensive travel experiences in Mexico, Spain, Panama, and China. Holly's current agency placement is with DenUM where she uses her great hospitality skills as a Case Manager. Holly has proven to be an asset to the USC Ogden House for her great baking skills. (Ask for her banana bread recipe.)

Edward Price-Ed joins the Urban Servant Corps from Houston, TX. Though Ed has spent the past summer working at Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp in Ft. Collins, this will be his first non-Texas winter. Ed has vast interests, from philosophy to movies, to trombone and community theater. Ed is extremely friendly and outgoing, making friends with strangers, and keeping people on their toes with new theories and questions. Ed is serving as a Program Assistant and 'Jack of All Trades" at Hope Communities.

Kelly and Dan Zazvorka-Kelly and Dan joined the USC in November 2008. They have lived in intentional Christian community for 15 years of their married life, and they both contribute their gifts and experiences to the USC Ogden Community. Dan is a Presbyterian pastor, is fluent in Spanish, and brings building and maintenance experience. He is serving at Metro CareRing. Kelly serves weekly at the Open Door Fellowship Pre-School and shares her gifts of hospitality and home-making in the Ogden Community.

Staff

Linnea Myers, Interim Director: With a name like Linnea, you're most likely Swedish and you're most likely Lutheran! Indeed, Linnea is both. She grew up outside of Chicago, and pursued a degree in psychology and cognitive science at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. She landed in Denver in August 2003, knowing no one, but quickly became acquainted with her Urban Servant Corps community at the 5&9 House in 2003-04. As a USC volunteer Linnea served at Housing Justice! After a couple of years at HJ!, she was the Substance Treatment Services Administrative Assistant at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless for another two years. Linnea joined the USC staff in April 2008 and became Interim Director in June 2009.