Meet the MARE Staff
Kirsta Grapentine is the MARE Program Director. She is responsible for overall functioning, design and direction of the program. She compiles numerous and fascinating statistical reports and can, on occasion, write a mean newsletter article. Prior to having children of her own, Kirsta had a semi-photographic memory and could identify almost every child in the MARE book by name. Although her memory is not quite as sharp as it was six years ago, rest assured that Kirsta (and all the MARE staff) takes pride it providing quality services for all of Michigan's waiting children, families and workers. E-mail Kirsta at kgrapentine@mare.org
Beverly Belcher is the Office Manager and Technical Assistant for the Exchange. Aside from being an invaluable support in the day-to-day functions of the program, Bev is responsible for the management of several computer databases, is the Program's bulk mailing account monitor, and the library resource coordinator. Bev can be e-mailed at bbelcher@mare.org
Steve York is the Communications Coordinator for MARE. He is responsible for writing the child photolisting profiles on the MARE website, and for publishing MARE's quarterly recruitment periodical that highlights a smaller number of children with larger photos and more in-depth stories. Steve also assists adoption agencies in creating the videos of waiting children that you see on this site, and he is the editor of Recruitment News, a quarterly newsletter for adoption professionals and advocates throughout Michigan. You can send e-mail to Steve at syork@mare.org
Nancy Berger is the Family Adoption Specialist, working as a link between prospective adoptive families, and state and private adoption agencies. She is also the designer of and Program Manager for MARE's intake system, and is one of the friendly voices on the end of the phone when you call. In her spare time, Nancy is Editor of Families Across Michigan, MARE's quarterly family newsletter. You can e-mail Nancy at nberger@mare.org
Kenyon Kopp is MARE's Tracking Coordinator and is responsible for managing databases, compiling monthly tracking reports, and generating statistics from those reports. Kenyon also photographs some of the children listed on the MARE site and has helped organize and design The Michigan Heart Gallery. You can reach Kenyon at kkopp@mare.org
Marcy Koivisto is MARE’s Adoption Program Specialist.  Her primary responsibility is data management for all children in Michigan who have a goal of adoption.  She is responsible for answering questions and inquiries regarding tracking lists and documentation.  Marcy is the trainer for the MARE/Agency training program and MARE portion of CWI Adoption Training.  The training program ensures that agencies are following MARE policy regarding adoption eligible children.  She also produces Waiting Child columns for newspapers and she creates church flyers.  Contact Marcy at mkoivisto@mare.org
Kristen Donnelly is the MARE Youth Advocate.  She is responsible for organizing and running Youth Advisory Board meetings, creating a newsletter geared toward youth, and designing and maintaining a youth based permancy website.  Kristen is always eager to answer any questions youth have regarding permanency issues, and does her best to assist youth with preparation for adoption and recruitment.  You can reach Kristen at kdonnelly@mare.org
Julia Jett is the MARE Intake Specialist. She processes inquiries, assists with inquiry follow-up, and provides information packets to non-studied families. Julia also provides outreach to adoptive family support groups, advocates for and supports potential adoptive families, and assists in organizing and facilitating statewide adoption information meetings. You can e-mail Julia at jjett@mare.org
Regina Funkhouser is coordinator for The Michigan Heart Gallery. As coordinator Regina handles all the details surrounding the exhibits including scheduling exhibits, coordinating openings, handling publicity and many others details. You can e-mail Regina at regina@miheart.org