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
Office Supervisor - 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.
Angela DeLaRosa
Domestic Infant Adoption Specialist - Traverse City
Angela DeLaRosa 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.”
Emily VanOordt
Foster Care Supervisor - Traverse City
Emily VanOordt joined Bethany Christian Services in 2022 as a Foster Care Adoption Specialist. Prior to coming to Bethany, she worked at a local non-profit with homeless youth. Emily recently received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Ferris State University. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and going on adventures with her two dogs. Emily is very excited to help the families we serve as they navigate the adoption process.
Kaylene Whitaker
Refugee Resettlement Site Supervisor - Traverse City
Kaylene Whitaker joined Bethany Christian Services in 2019. Before 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. Kaylene loves the opportunity to support and welcome refugee and immigrant families to the Traverse City area. Kaylene spends her free time outside in the rain, sun, or snow exploring the beauty of Northern Michigan.
Roy Franklin
Foster Care Licensing & Post Adoption Resource Center 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.
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Caron Alpers
Parenting Time Specialist - Traverse City
Caron recently began her retirement and has decided to use her “relaxing years” in a positive and meaningful way, so she joined the Bethany team as a Parenting Time Specialist. Caron worked with Bethany Christian Services years ago as she and her husband are former foster parents and they welcomed children into their home for ten years. Caron and her husband have 2 sons who have grown, graduated and moved out of state, so Caron chose to continue in Foster Care through CASA work, and now serving the families of Bethany. “I feel welcomed at Bethany and that is exactly what I was seeking. I’m getting to know our parents and I appreciate their need to feel welcomed too. I’ve been with Bethany for three weeks now and my heart is happy; I believe in BCS and I’m proud to be on the team.”
Jordan Taylor
PARC 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.
Lily E. Armstrong
Foster Care Licensing Specialist - Traverse City
Lily joined Bethany in June 2021 as a foster care licensing specialist. Professionally, her time at Bethany is relatively new, but she has been a part of the Bethany family most of her life. Lily was adopted through this exact branch back in 1999 at the age of 8 months old. She comes from a family of 5 children who were all adopted from South Korea through Bethany. Lily received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice: strategic intelligence from Liberty University. She enjoys camping, working out, and spending time with family and friends. Lily is excited to use her skills, knowledge, and personal adoptive experiences, and apply them towards the work that she does here.
Sandra R. Mascari-Devitt
Remote Refugee Resettlement Specialist - Traverse City
Sandy joined Bethany Christian Services in October 2021 as the Remote Refugee Resettlement Specialist. Having moved to the Traverse City area from Wisconsin just days before joining Bethany, Sandy comes to Bethany’s team as an advocate for both our current incoming refugee families and our previously resettled families. Sandy earned her bachelor’s degree with a major in social work and a minor in human services from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Having previously worked with at risk families, individuals facing medical crisis and community outreach/teaching, Sandy hopes to use her previous skills to build new bridges and relationships in the overall Grand Traverse communities. In her free time, Sandy enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors and crafting. One of Sandy’s favorite sayings is “It Takes a Village”. As Sandy looks towards her future at Bethany, she wishes for community members of the Grand Traverse area to help walk alongside her, “Welcoming refugees, one family at a time!”
Yuliia Bakunets
Refugee Administration and Case Support Specialist - Traverse City
Yuliia joined Bethany Christian Services in 2023 as a Refugee Administration Assistant and Case Support Specialist. Prior to joining Bethany, she volunteered with the local Ukrainian community and worked as a Customer Care Specialist in Ukraine. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She has four sisters, three nephews, and two nieces. Yuliia is happy to be working with refugees and to be able to further help the local Ukrainian community in her current role.
