Meet The Team
Emily Schab
VP Regional Operations- Grand Rapids and East Lansing - Grand Rapids, East Lansing
Emily (Emma) joined Bethany Christian Services in 2009 as a case manager in our Unaccompanied Children’s programs. She is currently the Vice President of Regional Operations for the Grand Rapids and East Lansing region. During her time at Bethany, Emily held various positions in the Refugee and Immigrant Services branch and was an integral part of growing the programming for Unaccompanied Children in Grand Rapids and expanding services to other branches across Michigan. Additionally, Emily spent 4 years as the Branch Director for Child Welfare Services in Grand Rapids prior to her current role. Emily received her Bachelors in Spanish and Social Work from Calvin University and her Masters in Social Work from Western Michigan University. Emily serves on the Board of Directors for the West Michigan Partnership for Children and the Michigan Federation for Children and Families. She is also on the Advisory Board for Calvin University’s Social Work Department and is on the Parent Board for her children’s school. Emily is passionate about serving children and families in the community by ensuring access to meaningful and quality services that will set them up for a successful future.
Crystal S. Houston
Executive Branch Director of Youth Services - Grand Rapids
Crystal joined Bethany in 2021 as the director of operations for youth services and now serves as the executive branch director of youth services. Previously, she’s held positions leading and developing communities and directing operations in non-profit organizations for over 20 years. Crystal is responsible for overseeing the programs and services for youth in disparate communities in Grand Rapids and serves as a leadership member of the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation. Crystal has earned a bachelor’s degree in community development and a master’s in acquisitions administration from Central Michigan University.
Shantheis Moody
Branch Director of Child Welfare Services - Grand Rapids
Shantheis has over 15 years’ experience in child welfare in various roles including program manager of a residential treatment center, quality improvement specialist, case manager, and direct care staff. Before coming to Bethany in 2021, he was director of permanency in Texas where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of a licensed child welfare agency. Shantheis relocated to his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he attained his bachelor’s in social work from Grand Valley State University and his master’s in business administration from Cornerstone University. He has a passion for community-based care and the successful reunification of families.
Jennifer Klein
Pregnancy Counselor, LBSW - Grand Rapids
Jenny Klein has been working at Bethany Christian Services for over 20 years. She is dedicated and compassionate to those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and serves her clients well. She is gifted in ministering to marginalized populations and has a special passion for meeting the needs of expectant parents.
Penny Lawrence
Clinical Program Director - Grand Rapids
Penny is a master limited psychologist with certifications in clinical supervision and advanced addictions. She has salient experience both as a practicing limited psychologist and in clinical supervision, including as a previous director in a community mental health setting. Having worked in out-patient, intensive out-patient, and private practice settings, Penny has over 20 years’ experience working with multi-cultural and specialty populations with both children and adults. She earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees at Western Michigan University.
