Meet The Team
Chelsea Hill
Branch Director - Traverse City
Chelsea Hill has held numerous positions since joining Bethany Christian Services in 2011. She is passionate about serving children and families in Traverse City and the surrounding areas. Chelsea earned her master’s degree in community practice and social action from Wayne State University and her bachelor’s degree in social work from Saginaw Valley State University.
Alicia M. Howard
Parenting Time Specialist - Traverse City
Alicia Howard joined Bethany Christian Services in 2017 as a Parenting Time Specialist. She has also taken on the role of Foster Care Office Assistant but continues to work with families and children in her original role. Alicia received her associates degree as a legal professional from Kirtland Community College. She worked as a victim’s advocate which helped her find her passion being a Parenting Time Specialist at Bethany Christian Services. Alicia enjoys working one on one with parents helping them to find the resources and tools to enrich their lives and the lives of their children.
Allie Burritt
Foster Care Licensing Specialist - Traverse City
Allie rejoined Bethany Christian Services in September 2020 as a foster care licensing specialist. She previously worked in domestic and refugee foster care as well as in our refugee resettlement program. Allie is an ESL teacher, and she works at a local high school helping youth who struggle with housing insecurities. Allie received her bachelor’s degree in social work and international studies from Northern Michigan University. She received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver. She enjoys spending time outside gardening and boating and hanging out with her partner Justin and their three cats.
Angela D. Mawson
Regional Director of Philanthropy & Domestic Infant Adoption Specialist - Traverse City
Angela Mawson joined Bethany Christian Services in 2018 as the domestic infant adoption specialist. After taking time off to raise her children, Angela comes to Bethany to advocate for adoptive couples, providing them support throughout their adoption journey. Angela earned her bachelor’s degree in human services from Oakland University, via three previous years at Michigan State University. She has worked with high risk teens in the Royal Oak area. Angela admires Saint Theresa of Calcutta and tries to live a life that emulates her famous words, “Not all of us can do GREAT things, but all of us can do SMALL things with GREAT LOVE.”
Christine O'Keefe
Foster Care Adoption Specialist - Traverse City
Christine O’Keefe originally joined Bethany Christian Services in 2017 as a Foster Care Case Manager. After a short break in 2018, she rejoined the team in 2019. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a specialization in religious studies from Michigan State University. Christine also earned a master’s degree in mental health from Capella University. She is a national certified counselor and a limited licensed professional counselor. Christine has a passion for working with children and families with a goal of keeping families together. She enjoys spending time with her own family as well as being outdoors.
Dawn M. Smith
Foster Care Adoption Specialist - Traverse City
Dawn Smith joined Bethany Christian Services in 2018 with around 10 years of child welfare experience in foster care and adoption. Dawn has a Bachelors degree in social work from Ferris State University. She is passionate about helping families.
Emily Roszczewski
Foster Care Intern - Traverse City
Emily began her foster care internship in September 2020 with the Traverse City branch. Emily is currently working to earn her bachelor’s degree in social work from Ferris State University. She remains undecided which program interests her the most but is looking forward to expanding her knowledge in child welfare. Emily enjoys camping, fishing, and spending time outside.
Kaylene Whitaker
Safe Families for Children Coordinator & Refugee Resettlement Case Manager - Traverse City
Kaylene Whitaker joined Bethany Christian Services in 2019. Prior to coming to Bethany, she served at two non-profits as a marketing and communications manager. Kaylene received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cedarville University and her master’s degree in counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. She loves the opportunity to help families in crisis through our Safe Families program.
Kristy R. White
Foster Care Case Manager - Traverse City
Kristy White joined Bethany Christian Services in 2018 as a foster care case manager. She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Northern Michigan University. Kristy is passionate about helping children and their families.
Maire Lajko
PARC Supervisor - Traverse City
Maire Lajko joined Bethany Christian Services in 2018 in the Post Adoption Resource Center. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a focus on child development from Grand Valley State University. Previously, Maire spent time working as a foster care specialist, a preschool teacher, and an intern in Bethany’s refugee resettlement program. Maire has a passion for helping children and families reach their full potential through education, support, and compassion.
Michelle Brunner
Foster Care Supervisor - Traverse City
Michelle Brunner joined Bethany Christian Services in 2014. She has served as a foster care case manager and foster care adoption specialist. Michelle has a passion for working with families to ensure that all children have a safe and loving home. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology, with a focus on child development, at Grand Valley State University.
Neala J. Smith
Foster Care Case Manager - Traverse City
Neala Smith joined Bethany Christian Services in 2018 as a foster care case manager. She earned her bachelor's degree in social work from Western Michigan University. Neala enjoys all that Northern Michigan has to offer, including golfing or spending a day at the lake. She loves to travel and make new friends along the way.
Roy L. Franklin
Foster Care Licensing & Adoption Supervisor - Traverse City
Roy Franklin joined Bethany Christian Services in 2018 as the foster care licensing supervisor. Previously, he held numerous positions within residential centers and group homes, and was a former foster care licensing complaint specialist. Roy and his wife are also foster parents, which helps him bring a unique vision to foster care licensing. Roy holds a bachelor's degree in social work from Olivet Nazarene University.
Sarah Schmude
Pregnancy Counselor - Traverse City
Sarah Schmude joined Bethany Christian Services in 2016. She received her registered nurse license as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hope College. Sarah worked as an RN in several different hospitals including Florida, Ohio and Michigan. She worked as a labor and delivery nurse and found a deep passion for helping women during the difficult time of an unplanned pregnancy. Sarah likes to support, educate, and encourage expecting moms and dads. She has lived in Traverse City for the past 17 years, has been married for 20, and has four children. She loves the outdoors, especially spending time on the lake.
Jeanne Molter
Office Manager - Traverse City
Jeanne Molter joined Bethany Christian Services in 2019. She served as a Youth Director for eight years where she was blessed to take part in multiple mission trips and create a Sandwich Run Ministry for the less fortunate. She served many families working in the funeral industry for 13 years. As a former preschool teacher and private music instructor, Jeanne has a passion for enriching the lives of children and families. Her greatest joy is being the mother to five beautiful children and two granddaughters. She earned her bachelor’s degree in english and journalism from Western Michigan University.
Jordan Taylor
Foster Care Case Manager - Traverse City
Jordan Taylor joined Bethany Christian Services in 2019 as a Foster Care Case Manager/Refugee Resettlement Coordinator. She is a recent graduate of Ferris State University earning her bachelor’s degree in social work. Jordan also completed a nine-month internship at Bethany prior to joining the team. As well, she worked as a Behavior Analysis at The Autism Centers of Michigan providing one-on-one therapy. She has a passion for working with refugee families to ensure a warm and comfortable environment.
