About Us - Meet the staff
Please contact the staff at (503) 335-8202 or e-mail info@jvcnorthwest.org with any questions, comments, or for more information about Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) Northwest!
Stephanie Barr, area director, graduated from Santa Clara University in California with a bachelor's degree in philosophy. She was a Jesuit Volunteer (JV) from 2002 to 2004, serving as an advocate at the Domestic Violence Resource Center in Hillsboro, Ore., and recreation coordinator for adults with developmental disabilities in Bethel, Alaska. After her JV year in Alaska, Stephanie moved to Dublin, Ireland, to work toward a master's degree in gender studies at Trinity College. In her spare time, Stephanie volunteers at the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center, knits and reads. Currently, she is the area director for Omak and Yakima, Wash., and the Portland Morris House community.
Bruce Brown, area director, spent the majority of his youth in Colorado and Alberta. From Colorado, he followed his sense of adventure to the California coast. After receiving his education in English and history, he traveled to Alaska to join a JV community in Juneau, Alaska. It was in this physical and social environment that he began to truly appreciate his connection with everything around him. The ecological beauty he found there taught him his responsibility to a larger community. His exposure to a second year of JVC Northwest in Portland, Ore., added to his passion for adventure and appreciation for peace and justice. He is the area director for Spokane, Wash., and Billings, Hays and St. Labre, Mont.
Diane Blankenship, business coordinator, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., and lived there until her freshman year in high school when her family moved to North Dakota. She graduated from high school in North Dakota and came to college at the University of Portland, where she met and married Larry Blankenship. Together, they have five children and two grandchildren. Diane comes to JVC Northwest with a myriad of experiences. Besides being a mother full time for quite a few years, she has worked as a receptionist, bookkeeper and has performed data entry. At JVC Northwest, she has found a challenge and an opportunity to use many of her skills in an open and inspiring environment. She feels very blessed to have found such a wonderful, fulfilling place to work.
Leah Dahlin, recruitment and alumni coordinator, grew up in Billings, Mont. She graduated from Gonzaga University with a bachelor's degree in public relations and minors in English and music. She spent one year as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, working to promote the services of a non-profit counseling and family center in Spokane, Wash. Most recently, Leah worked at the University of Portland for both the Office of Career Services and the Office of Residence Life. As the recruitment and alumni coordinator for JVC Northwest, Leah enjoys speaking with potential volunteers, as well as current and former JVs, about service and its impact on the world around us.
Jeanne Haster, executive director, has roots in the red soil of Oklahoma. She met the Jesuits for the first time at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., where she completed her bachelor's degree in history/secondary education. Jeanne has two master's degrees in theological studies and theology, with concentrations in justice and peace, from Maryknoll School of Theology in New York. A JV in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1981 to 1982, Jeanne has led a life of work in service and education. Her experience includes working in Guatemala for nearly four years with the Claretian Missioners; teaching middle schoolers to graduate students in history, ethics and theology; facilitating courses and co-directing the Centre for Justice and Spirituality in Brisbane, Australia, for six years; and working with refugees. Currently, she is the executive director of JVC Northwest. Jeanne enjoys her family life with her husband and two children.
Sarah Kinsel, area director, grew up in the Midwest, formed for service and loving justice by her Church of the Brethren heritage and Quaker education. After college, eager for adventure, she moved to Portland, Ore., for two years of AmeriCorps service doing environmental restoration and education. These years were filled with experiments in simple living and ever-deepening discoveries of interconnection. While seeking tools to heal the world and make it whole, she went back to Indiana, to earn a master 's degree in divinity at Earlham School of Religion. She sees poetry as a vehicle for transforming the human heart, and loves to read and write with others for the empowerment of all. New to JVC Northwest in July 2007, Sarah is excited to serve as the area director for Bethel, Juneau, Sitka and Anchorage, Alaska.
Alex Kitchen, recruiter, grew up near Santa Cruz, Calif. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in communication, and minors in Spanish and fine arts. While at USC, she was involved in recreational sports, Latino organizations, residential education, and the Catholic Center --where the JVC recruiters set into motion the fated "ruining of her life." As a JV in Yakima, Wash., in 2006 to 2007, she worked with the Diocese of Yakima Housing Services. Her JV year was surprising, challenging, edifying and fun -- she can't wait to share with others what the JVC opportunity is all about.
Martha McElligott, administrative assistant, a native Oregonian and sister of a former JV, Mary Pat McElligott (Nome, Alaska. 1976 to 1978), graduated from the University of Portland with a bachelor's degree in social work with minors in gerontology and theology. She comes to JVC Northwest with a history of working with the frail, elderly, disabled and low-income populations. When not at work, she enjoys reading cookbooks, cooking, sewing, engaging in outdoor activities and being involved in the kids' school. She and her husband try to keep up with their very active children, Zach and Zoey.
Chris Peraro, area director, was born and raised in East Hartford, Conn. In 1995, he received his bachelor's degree in philosophy from Stonehill College. Nine years later, he obtained a master's degree in transpersonal counseling psychology from Naropa University in Boulder, Colo. Chris was a Holy Cross Associate in Colorado Springs, Colo., from 1995 to 1996, where he worked with children and adolescents struggling with mental illness. Currently, he is the area director for Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., and the Portland Mac House community.
