Ada Hernández-Bell – Executive Director
Ada brings nearly two decades of dedicated service within the non-profit sector here in East Tennessee. With a degree in Psychology from King College, Ada’s journey has spanned from hands-on engagement with at-risk children and families to creating trauma informed training protocols and compliance measures for foster parents. Ada has served as Executive Director of CASA of East Tennessee and as the program writer and launcher of A Loving Option Adoption, a program under Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. Beyond her professional endeavors, Ada is actively invested in community non-profits as Chair of the Peace Committee for the Downtown Knoxville Rotary, mediating family disputes as a Volunteer Family Mediator at the Community Mediation Center, and advancing fundraising practices, support, and continuing education as President of the Great Smoky Mountain Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Jordan Myers – Community Engagement & Development Coordaintor
Jordan Myers is the Community Engagement and Development Coordinator. A lifelong East Tennessee resident, Jordan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Carson-Newman University. She is deeply committed to serving East Tennessee communities through volunteer work, and she has been a strong advocate for children with special needs and children in foster care. Her advocacy work includes partnerships with Together We Rise, The Miss America Organization, Best Buddies Program, Special Olympics, The Down Syndrome Society, and local churches Jordan’s dedication to community stems from her family’s experience as a therapeutic foster family and her direct work with individuals in need. Her previous volunteer experience with the committee and her professional background as an Event Coordinator have fostered her passion for her current role as the Community Engagement and Development Coordinator. Outside of work, Jordan cherishes spending quality time with her husband and two daughters, enjoying movies and adventures.
Melinda Holder – Mobility Mentor
Melinda has been an East Tennessean since 2004 and is a graduate of The University of Tennessee with a degree in Child and Family Studies, Psychology, and Integrated Communications. Melinda has been an advocate for families affected by substance abuse disorder and foster care as well as helping to build community in Oak Ridge schools, serving on various boards the past six years. In addition to being a Mobility Mentor, she is a spiritual and recovery coach and supports her husband Matt who is the director of a local recovery ministry. As an advocate for substance abuse prevention and reducing stigma, Melinda serves as chair to the Metro Drug Community Coalition. She also serves her faith community as a commissioned Stephen Minister. Strength, perseverance, and hope are interwoven in her story and as a Mobility Mentor she finds it a privilege to help others experience the same. While Melinda loves to serve the community, the ones she loves to serve the most are her husband and three children.
Kate Kerekes – Office Administrator
Kate grew up in Oak Ridge, attended Oak Ridge High School, and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a B.S. in mathematics. She loves numbers, spreadsheets, and organization, and is thrilled to be able to put those loves to good use in running the office and assisting clients. Outside of the office, Kate enjoys time with her husband and three boys, and is the outreach administrator for her church. You may also see her around town as she runs with local running groups.