Staff
Caring, committed, capable people.
It takes a special kind of person to deal with the trauma and heartbreak of child sexual abuse every day. It’s not a job, it’s a calling for these exceptional individuals.
Click on a name to send an email to a staff member.
Client Services
Sarah Zuidema, LMSW
She/Her/Hers
Program Director
A licensed social worker who has spent her entire career in child welfare, Sarah has experience in foster care and adoption, trauma, prevention and international social services. She earned a master’s degree in social work from Grand Valley State University and now serves as an Adjunct Professor there. Sarah is also an ACE Master trainer through the Michigan ACE Initiative. Her goal is to ensure that all Kent County children have a safe place to talk about and heal from abuse.
Alicia Cadena, LLMSW
She/Her/Hers
Therapist
Alicia is a Limited Licensed Master of Social Work for the state of Michigan who earned a psychology degree with a minor in juvenile justice from Grand Valley State University and a master’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University. She has worked with youth in an inpatient psychiatric setting and as a School-Based Social Worker, and began her Master’s-level internship at CAC in 2016.
Andrea Walcott, LLMSW
She/Her/Hers
Therapist
Andrea is a limited licensed social worker with an undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University in psychology and a master’s in social work from Western Michigan University. Andrea is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and has worked with children, teens, and their families in various settings. Andrea started her master’s-level internship at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County in September of 2018 and continues her passion for helping survivors on their healing journey.
Anne Slater, LPC
She/Her/Hers
Therapist
A Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Michigan, Anne earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Central Michigan University. She is a nationally certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist who began working with survivors of sexual violence and trauma as a college volunteer.
Gretchen Knight-Dennis, LMSW
She/Her/Hers
Therapist
Gretchen is a licensed social worker with an undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s in social work from Grand Valley State University. Trained in Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), her passion is walking alongside survivors and their families as they heal within the therapeutic process. She has years of experience working with children and teens in a variety of mental health capacities and her approach is typically fun and positive.
Samantha Akerman, LMSW
She/Her/Hers
Clinical Supervisor
Samantha is a state licensed Social Worker with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University and a Bachelor’s degree from Davenport University. Samantha is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy and has worked with children and families in various settings. She is an advocate for children and is passionate about working with children and families who have experienced trauma.
Ashley Vance, LMSW
She/Her/Hers
Lead Forensic Interviewer
Ashley is a licensed social worker with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Central Michigan University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. She has previous experience working within Children’s Advocacy Centers in Michigan. Her background also includes providing advocacy and support to young adult survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, in a university setting, and crisis intervention work with adults. Ashley enjoys spending time with her lovable Labrador, kayaking and traveling to warmer weather.
Jessica Johnson, BA
She/Her/Hers
Family Advocate
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in psychology from Grand Valley State University. She has more than five years’ experience working with children and families who have experienced trauma. At CAC, she works to build a trusting, respectful and supportive relationship with families, children, and teens as they start their journey of healing and justice.
Marian Anderson, BSW
She/Her/Hers
Case Manager
Marian obtained her BSW from Grand Valley State University. She previously worked in foster care for 2 1/2 years, gaining valuable experience working with children and families. She then transitioned into working at a domestic violence shelter; first as an intern and then as a youth and family advocate. Marian loves collaborating with families to work around barriers and ultimately achieve their goals. When she is not working, Marian enjoys reading, powerlifting, and traveling.
Misti DeVries, BS
She/Her/Hers
Community Advocate
Misti holds a bachelor’s degree in child and family development from the University of Georgia. She has over 13 years’ experience working with children and families throughout Kent County. As our Community Advocate, Misti’s goal is to educate the community to end the stigma of child sexual abuse. Misti enjoys spending time with her husband, sons, and corgis.
Jessica Turk
She/Her/Hers
Intake Coordinator
Jessica comes from a background of parent advocacy and parent empowerment training. She is a strong advocate for parents and their families. She is also a former foster parent, which is the motivation behind her passion for helping families and children overcome barriers. As a mother of six, she is always dedicated and devoted to her children. Jessica loves spending time camping and hiking with all of her kids and their five dogs.
K-9 Jaycee
She/Her/Hers
Therapy Dog
A Kent County Sheriff’s Office “employee” since August 2016, K-9 Jaycee is a certified therapy dog who works and plays with the children and families that visit the CAC. She assists victims through the healing process. She is handled by Detective Matt Hooker, lives with him and his family, and accompanies him to work every day at the CAC.
Preston
He/Him/His
Therapy Dog
Preston began his training as a puppy through Leader Dogs for the Blind. After a career change, he was selected by the Canine Advocacy Program to work at Small Talk Children’s Advocacy Center in Lansing, Michigan. Preston provided comfort to children and families at Small Talk CAC for two and a half years. During his time at Small Talk, Preston had the opportunity to be a source of support and comfort to the sister survivors throughout the Larry Nassar sentencing.
Kids Have Rights Educational Program
Sara Soehnel
She/Her/Hers
Kids Have Rights Program Manager
Sara joined the Kids Have Rights team of educators in 2010. She holds a degree in Elementary Education from Central Michigan University with an emphasis in Language Arts. Sara has presented at the Michigan Chapter of the National Children’s Alliance on bringing personal body safety education to children across the state of Michigan. She is also an ACE Master trainer through the Michigan ACE Initiative. Through her prevention work at the CAC, Sara is proud to be a safe adult and advocate for children.
Andrea Woller
She/Her/Hers
Kids Have Rights Lead Educator
Andrea worked in the education field for 10 years before joining the Kids Have Rights team in 2015. She earned an Aquinas College degree in elementary education with endorsements in special education, early childhood education and reading/language arts. Her teaching experience includes Early Childhood Special Education instruction and curriculum development.
Melanie Mays, MA, LLPC
She/Her/Hers
Kids Have Rights Educator
Melanie has experience working in educational settings from preschool classrooms through the college level. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Michigan State University. Melanie is passionate about educating and empowering children and helping them know and understand their rights. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family, reading, and hiking with her dog.
Kristen Sarkipato
She/Her/Hers
Kids Have Rights Educator
Prior to joining the Kids Have Rights team, Kristen worked in the social work field as a Children’s Program Coordinator and Family Advocate at a local domestic violence shelter. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology from Grand Valley State University. She is passionate about educating and empowering staff, students and caregivers to recognize, prevent and stop child sexual abuse. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, and camping with her family.
Development & Administration
Angie Kowalczyk
She/Her/Hers
Volunteer & Executive Services Coordinator
Building on the skills she polished during her tenure as CAC’s Intake Coordinator from 2010-2014, Angie now works to match volunteer talents and interests with the needs of the Center. Her passion for people and commitment to our cause inspire the very best from our volunteers and her co-workers.
Tatum Hawkins, MA
She/Her/Hers
Development & Communications Director
Tatum earned a bachelor’s degree in mass media communications and a master’s degree in public relations, setting the stage for a successful career in non-profit communications and fund development. She is passionate about increasing community awareness of CAC and helping supporters connect to this worthy cause. Tatum unwinds from the demands of the job through travel, art, music and cooking.
Rebekah McDowell
She/Her/Hers
Operations Director
Rebekah has transitioned through three different positions at CAC since first joining us as a part-time Grant Writer in 2007. A childhood spent in various states, countries and islands taught her to embrace change and challenge. Rebekah is a graduate of Central Michigan University who enjoys movies, yoga, reading, writing and spending time with family.
Michelle Eason
She/Her/Hers
Administrative Assistant
Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ferris State University. She has over 10 years of experience working in office administration and human services. Her commitment to our mission is a reflection of her passion to serve others. Michelle enjoys cooking and promotes a stress free life by making self-care a habit.
Leadership
Melissa Werkman
She/Her/Hers
Executive Director
Melissa is grateful to have been able to spend her career in roles that allow her to support children and families in West Michigan – whether by creating opportunities for improved health and wellness or advocating for individuals with Down syndrome – each position has lent to learning and growth that she is honored to bring to her role in supporting the critical work the team at the CAC does every day. Though she is from and her heart is still in Grand Rapids, she and her husband now live on the Lakeshore. They have 4 awesome kids who are “mostly” grown. When not working, Melissa usually can be found biking, running or hiking with her dog – pursuits that justify her other hobbies: cooking and eating great food.
5% of children under the age of 18 are solicited sexually online.
1,000+ suspected child sexual abuse cases are reported in Kent County each year.
75% of childhood sexual abuse is thought to go unreported.
1 in 7 girls and 1 in 25 boys are sexually abused.