Peace Community Center: Staff

Staff

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Tuesday, September 07, 2010

..:: Staff ::..

Peace Community Center Staff

Bill Hanawalt, Executive Director

Education: Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from the University of Puget Sound
Completed Lutheran Services in America CEO Introduction Seminar

About Bill: Bill grew up in south Seattle and now lives here in Tacoma’s beautiful Hilltop neighborhood with his wife Kathy. He was powerfully impacted the summer after his junior year in College by a month long internship he completed with Desire Housing Projects of New Orleans. This internship showed him the demand God gives through scripture to respond to human need and suffering through working for justice. This drew him to his work here at Peace Community Center.

His love for Peace Community Center: "Watching the development of the children and youth we serve over the course of the years is very rewarding -- to see a child we served as an elementary student now serving as a counselor at our summer day camp -or- a student who came to us struggling with high school now finding academic success in college. To have the opportunity to walk beside the children, youth and young adults we serve is an honor."

Contact: (253) 383-0702 ext. 102; billh@peacetacoma.org

Laurie Ruiz, Education Director

Education: Bachelor of Arts in English from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX
Master of Arts in Teaching from University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA

About Laurie: Laurie grew up San Antonio, TX. She moved to Tacoma in 1988. Laurie worked for Planned Parenthood for 5 years, before earning her Masters. She then taught at Foss High School for 11 years. Laurie was first introduced to Peace by two AmeriCorps Volunteers at Peace that came to tutor in her Avid classroom at Foss High School (AVID is a program that helps students in the academic middle to be successful in high school and prepared for college). When the Avid program lost district funding, the Education Director position allowed Laurie to continue reaching the kids that are often forgotten and help them reach their own potential -- body, mind, and spirit. Now she is teaching a for-credit course at Peace called College, Life and Academic Succes Skills (CLASS).

Her Love for Peace Community Center: "Peace Community Center is a beacon on the Hilltop which draws students to enter its doors and pursue their dreams. It is a place of incredible inspiration. I am always inspired by the dedication of our students who show up daily and work hard to achieve their goals. Is there a more moving sight than our tutori9ng room (1/2 of a gym floor) full of high school students doing their homework?

I am also inspired by the persistence and loving attitude of our staff, AmeriCorps Volunteers, and the volunteer tutors who never give up on our students. It is intense and difficult work and they do it with aplomb. And always, in the background are our supporters, those who support us withe their gifts and their prayers. I am so fortunate to be a part of Peace."

Contact: (253) 383-0702 ext. 109; eddir@peacetacoma.org

Trevor Kagochi, Program Director

Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Puget Sound (2004). Currently attending the University of Washington as a graduate student where he is finishing a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis in Multicultural Education. Trevor will graduate in Spring of 2009

About Trevor: Trevor was born in San Fransico, California, but grew up in Kenya. He moved to the Pacific Northwest to attend University of Puget Sound (UPS) and to be close to a brother who lives in Seattle. While attending UPS, Trevor became involved with Peace Lutheran Church. Through the church, he became a volunteer tutor in the Hilltop Scholars program. After graduating, Trevor became a member of our AmeriCorps team for two years before returning to college to work on his Master's Degree. While working on his degree, Trevor continued to work as a part-time staff member at Peace Community Center.

His Love for Peace Community Center: "I really enjoy working at the Peace Community Center. I love working with the staff, the volunteers and the students. I feel that the Peace Community Center really tries to make a difference in our neighborhood and in the lives of our students. The Peace Community Center is like a family. We try to help our students even when their needs go beyond academics, and we try to help and support one another through the ups and downs. I am very pleased and grateful to be working here."

Contact: (253) 383-0702 ext. 110; trevork@peacetacoma.org

Kerri Greenaway, Administrative Manager

Education: Bachelor of Social Work from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA and Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University School of Social Work in New York, NY

About Kerri: Kerri was born and raised in a rural area in Eastern Washington. After she moved to Tacoma to attend PLU, she soon started volunteering at Peace Community Center as a KidREACH tutor at Peace and then worked for a year as the City as Parish Intern at Peace prior to moving to New York for graduate school. She also has experience working with refugee youth in Tacoma. Kerri is excited to be back in the Hilltop and working at Peace Community Center.

Her Love for Peace Community Center: "I have loved Peace since I began volunteering here over five years ago. It is not just the amazing students, staff, volunteers and members that we have at both the Center and Church, but also the feeling of community in the neighborhood and the feeling of "home" when you feel when you walk in the doors. I think it really is a rare thing for an organization to have this kind of relationship with a neighborhood and its neighbors. I'm glad to be back in the Hilltop and working at Peace Community Center...for me, it's like coming home."

Contact: (253) 383-0702 ext. 103; admin@peacetacoma.org