COMMITTEES
The vision that every child will be ready to succeed in school and in life is inspiring people all over our community. In addition to the Early Childhood Children’s Commission and Great Start Collaborative, hundreds of Kent County residents are enthusiastically giving their time and energy to build a network of support services for all young children and their families. We thank them for their tireless dedication and commitment.
Steering
- Susan Broman, Steelcase Foundation (co-chair)
- Carol Paine-McGovern, Kent County Family & Child Coordinating Council (co-chair)
- Lew Chamberlin, West Michigan Whitecaps
- Candace Cowling, Child and Family Resource Council
- Ben Emdin, Early Childhood Children’s Commission
- Lynne Ferrell, Frey Foundation
- Judy Freeman, Great Start Collaborative
- Mary Hockwalt, Michigan Family Resources
- Maureen Kirkwood, Children’s Healthcare Access Program
- Erin McGovern, Kent ISD
- Nelle Peck, Michigan Family Resources
- Amy Turner-Thole, First Steps
- Lody Zwarensteyn, Alliance for Health
Children’s Healthcare Access Program
- Tom Peterson, Spectrum Health Healthier Communities (chair)
- Susan Broman, Steelcase Foundation
- Jim Byrne, Priority Health
- Larry Davis, Metro Health
- Matt Davis, DeVos Children’s Hospital
- Ben Emdin, Early Childhood Children’s Commission
- Lynne Ferrell, Frey Foundation
- Judy Freeman, Great Start Collaborative Coordinator
- Brian Hartl, Kent County Health Department
- Andy Johnson, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
- Maureen Kirkwood, Project Manager
- Mark Lemoine, Spectrum Health
- Bradford Mathis, St. Mary’s Health Services
- John Mosley, Spectrum Health
- Marcia Myers, St. Mary’s Health Services
- Jean Nagelkirk, Asst. Provost Grand Valley State University
- Cathy Raevsky, Kent County Health Department
- Milt Rohwer, Frey Foundation
- Carl VerBeek, Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett
- Lody Zwarensteyn, Alliance for Health
Welcome Home Baby
- Lynne Ferrell, Frey Foundation (chair)
- Dianna Baker, Kent County Health Department
- Margaret Biersack, Spectrum Health
- Julie Bonewell, Spectrum Health
- Jenny Chaffer, St. Mary’s Health Services
- Barbara Corbin, Kent Intermediate School District
- Bev Crandall, Child and Family Resource Council
- Kathy Freberg, Network 180
- Judy Freeman, Great Start Collaborative Coordinator
- Kristin Gietzen, Arbor Circle
- Sue Jandernoa, Early Childhood Children’s Commission
- Maureen Kirkwood, Children’s Healthcare Access Program
- Erin McGovern, Kent Intermediate School District
- Heather Mol, St. Mary’s Health Services
- Christie Peck, Spectrum Health
- Mary Lynn Wesorick, Metro Health
Communications
- Lew Chamberlin, West Michigan Whitecaps (chair)
- Noel Black, Community Volunteer
- Tony Campbell, Heart of West Michigan United Way
- Peggy Janei, Community Volunteer
- Joanne Kelty, Director of Early Childhood, G.R.P.S.
- Rev. David May, Pastor Mount Moriah Baptist Worship Center
- Susan Nemes, Alticor
- Amy Turner-Thole, First Steps
Family, Friends and Neighbor Care
- Mary Hockwalt, Michigan Family Resources (chair)
- Shatawn Brigham, Bethany Christian Services
- Candace Durr, Parent
- Sue Eastman, Arbor Circle
- Cecile Fehsenfeld, Early Childhood Children’s Commission
- Judy Freeman, Great Start Collaborative
- Jennifer Griffith, Kent Regional 4C
- Zsanara Hoskins, Parent
- Erin McGovern, Kent Intermediate School District
Early Care and Education
- Nelle Peck, Michigan Family Resources (chair)
- Mary Nell Baldwin, Kent Intermediate School District
- Diane Blain, MSU Extension Educator
- Rebecca Brinks, Grand Rapids Community College
- Christina Chaney, Arbor Circle
- Judy Freeman, Great Start Collaborative
- Jennifer Griffith, Kent Regional 4C
- Lisa Lea, Creative Learning Center
- Charlotte Lukasiewicz, Family Child Care
- Nicole Pratt, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
- Deb VanderMolen, Kent Regional 4C