Our Mission & Vision
Motivated by the love of Christ, Alpha Grand Rapids (AGR) promotes abundant life by providing holistic services to women and men affected by unplanned pregnancy. We believe that all people deserve the opportunity to live life abundantly. Our model of personalized care ensures that clients’ needs are met with expert help and genuine compassion. Free and confidential services provide comprehensive care, empowering people to thrive in all areas of their life.
Families Served in 2021
Diapers Distributed in 2021
Years of Care
View our most recent Annual Report
Our History
about us
Our Staff
To contact any of our staff members, visit the Contact Us page to send us an email.
Kalie Bunce
Marketing Director
Kalie came to Alpha Grand Rapids as an intern in the spring of 2013 and transitioned to a full-time employee in 2014. She loves the holistic way that AGR cares for families and has always been inspired by the strength and resilience of the parents in our programs. As the Marketing Director, her primary job is to maintain AGR’s voice and ensure that everyone who comes to an event or receives a marketing piece has a positive impression. Kalie and her husband, Chad, welcomed their son, Cooper, into the world in 2020. Outside of spending time with her family, Kalie loves traveling (she’s been to 14 countries so far!), reading, and watching reruns of the show Parks & Recreation.
April DeMull
Finance & HR Manager
April joined the Alpha Grand Rapids team in December 2019 (we considered her an early Christmas present). She brings her love of numbers and bookkeeping skills to AGR as well as the ability to make people laugh and feel appreciated. Even though her job is more “behind-the-scenes,” April is passionate about being part of an organization that walks alongside parents in need of support. April and her family live on a huge farm where the kids have plenty of opportunities to play outside and ride along on tractors. She enjoys running, spending time with her family, and finding new house projects to tackle.
Aubree Domsic
Material Resources Coordinator
Aubree was an intern at Alpha Grand Rapids from 2014-2015 while she completed her Human Services degree at Grace Christian University. As an intern, Aubree remembers immediately feeling the love that the staff has for each other, the families being served, and the work being done. When she had the opportunity to join the staff in May 2021, she was excited to do so! As the Material Resources Coordinator, Aubree loves organizing “all the things” and making the store a great place for families to shop. She stays very busy outside of work coaching middle school volleyball, being a high school youth group leader, and traveling on hiking/backpacking trips whenever possible.
Colleen Geisel
President
Colleen walked through the doors of Alpha Grand Rapids (AGR) in March of 2014 and just couldn’t leave. As President, Colleen empowers our staff, volunteers and community to become involved with others who are in need. She is a passionate speaker and loves getting the opportunity to share the mission of AGR with individuals, churches, businesses, and anyone else who will listen! Colleen has given birth to three children in three different countries (what she considers the definition of insanity!), has enough hair for at least four people, and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
Ruth Gillesse
Step Up Mentoring Manager
Ruth has been with Alpha Grand Rapids (AGR) since 2003, starting as a volunteer mentor and later becoming full-time staff. Ruth directs the Step Up Mentoring Program, both by managing volunteers and meeting with clients. She is known around AGR for always being willing to listen and provide encouragement when needed, which is why so many volunteers and clients love her so much! Ruth has four grown children and four grandchildren. Her favorite weekends involve lots of coffee, meeting up with friends, and lots of quality time with the grandkids.
Lupita Groth
Client Services Associate
Lupita joined the Alpha Grand Rapids staff in the fall of 2017. As the Client Services Associate, she has the very busy and important job of answering incoming calls at the front desk, scheduling appointments, and welcoming clients, volunteers, and other visitors to the building. We often hear how Lupita’s warm smile and friendly spirit make people feel instantly at ease and happy to be at AGR! Lupita’s favorite thing to do is spend time with her two beautiful children, and she is constantly looking for fun new things for them to do together. She also enjoys spending time outdoors and listening to music.
Matt Haviland
Men’s Center Director
Matt joined the team at Alpha Grand Rapids at the beginning of 2021 shortly before the new Men’s Center facility was completed and opened as one of the first standalone buildings solely serving fathers in the United States. As Men’s Center Director, Matt empowers staff members and volunteers to walk alongside fathers and equip them to be the best man, partner, and father possible. A native of Grand Rapids, Matt enjoys family time with his wife and teenage daughter, reading, and almost all outdoor recreation. Whatever you do, don’t get him started on a Michigan vs. Michigan State debate!
Lauren Herlein
Community Engagement Manager
Lauren joined the Alpha Grand Rapids staff in January of 2018, just days after finishing college. For nearly two years, she served as the Material Resources Coordinator and managed the store and inventory at AGR. In late 2019, she transitioned into a new role of Community Engagement Manager. In this role, Lauren builds strategic partnerships to bring in funding, volunteers, and material items. She especially loves connecting with churches through diaper, winter item, and toy drives. Lauren loves cooking and spending as much time at the lake as possible, is passionate about the importance of foster care, and occasionally sneaks away from her desk to hold one of the cute kiddos in childcare. She and her husband, Drew, have been married since 2018.
Beth Huegli
Event Coordinator
Beth joined the AGR team in October 2021. It was two weeks before the largest fundraising event of the year, so she was definitely thrown into the deep end of the pool. Luckily, Beth is not easily intimidated by a challenge! As the Event Coordinator, she makes sure that every AGR event runs smoothly and is a great experience for guests. She loves paying attention to the details and making everything look beautiful with her decorating skills. Beth loves the mission of AGR and, even though she doesn’t typically work directly with the families AGR serves, finds it very fulfilling to support the work through what she does with events. Beth and her husband, Jeff, have three adult children. She loves spending time with her family, reading, hiking, playing with her dog, and entertaining.
Valerie Probst
Vice President of Client Services
Valerie partnered with AGR on events for several years while at her previous job and loved seeing what AGR was doing in the community. When she had the opportunity to join the team, she was excited to do so! As Vice President of Client Services, Valerie uses her passion for hospitality to give every person who walks through the doors at AGR a great experience. She loves to hear stories from clients and volunteers and is always looking for an opportunity to serve the people around her. Outside of work, Valerie enjoys being mama to her three children, running, going to the beach, and any opportunity to travel (she is constantly planning the next family vacation!).
Tammie Sandlin
Marketing Coordinator
Tammie joined the Alpha Grand Rapids team in June of 2021. She grew up on the east side of Michigan but, having lived in West Michigan for over half of her life, now claims Grand Rapids as her hometown. Tammie was drawn to AGR’s mission of promoting abundant life and how that is put into action through nonjudgmental, compassionate care. As our Marketing Coordinator, she uses her graphic design abilities to help every marketing piece communicate well and inspire action. Tammie is a godmother to the three adult daughters of her college roommate and enjoys being part of their family, especially since most of her family lives out of state. Outside of work, Tammie loves being at Lake Michigan, finding new local restaurants, and spending time on her porch reading or painting.
Katy Sheets
Development Coordinator
Katy joined the Alpha Grand Rapids team in November 2021 after being drawn to the way AGR extends genuine care in a holistic way. She enjoys making sure things run smoothly behind the scenes, which makes her perfectly suited for her role! As Development Coordinator, Katy processes financial donations, maintains the AGR donor database, and orders supplies. Her attention to detail and willingness to jump in on any task is hugely appreciated! Outside of work, Katy enjoys hiking, camping, baking, reading, and spending time with family. She and her husband have been married since 2018.
Carrie Shoesmith
Educational Services Manager
Carrie volunteered in the Single Moms Support Group for a year before joining our staff as the Single Moms Support Group Coordinator in January 2018. In 2021, she moved into the position of Educational Services Manager and now oversees the Educational Services department. She is dedicated to serving women and men who participate in group programs at Alpha Grand Rapids and ensures that classes and support groups run smoothly. Carrie enjoys reading, quilting, being involved with her church, and mowing her lawn in the summertime. She is a pretty laidback person, but don’t get between her and a cleaning/organizing project when she’s stressed – she takes it very seriously!
Brad Smith
Development Director
Brad was born and raised in West Michigan and loves living here. An avid runner, Brad was a sprinter at Cornerstone University where he earned his bachelor’s in business and master’s in organizational leadership. Feeling a call to make a difference in the community, Brad joined Alpha Grand Rapids in February 2021. He loves AGR’s intentionality around prayer and service and how that parallels the love of Jesus. As Development Director, he oversees the processes around raising funds, volunteers, and resources – all of which are crucial for meeting the needs of the families served at AGR. Brad and his wife, Annie, have been married since 2006. In 2012, they welcomed their son into the world, followed by a daughter in 2013. They are an active family that loves spending time together and finding fun things to do around West Michigan.
Donna Wood
Nurse
Donna has been with Alpha Grand Rapids since 1985 as a founding board member. She continued volunteering for nearly three decades and “officially” joined our staff as our LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) in 2014. She administers pregnancy tests, STD tests, and meets with clients to provide options counseling. Donna is the mother of eight children (seven of whom are adopted) and has a great collection of snazzy shoes. She likes to say she is slow on the computer but fast when it comes to her humor. Donna is always a source of encouragement, wisdom, and laughter on our team!