Founder

Victoria

Victoria serves as the Administrative Specialist at Ripple Effects Community Inclusion Center, where she plays a vital role in keeping daily operations running smoothly. From greeting families and coordinating schedules to managing communications and supporting our digital presence, she ensures that our center remains welcoming, organized, and efficient.

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With a strong background in office coordination and digital communications, Victoria brings expertise in website management, social media, executive support, and client services. Her creativity and attention to detail shine through in the engaging materials she designs to connect with the community.

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When she’s not helping at the inclusion center, Victoria spends her time working towards her Business Administration degree. She also enjoys attending local community events, concerts, staying active with yoga or hiking, and spending quality time with her three children.

Bren

Bren is our dedicated Program Director with extensive experience in foster care, adoption, and family-centered program development. Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bren and her family were licensed foster parents for seven years before adopting three children. Now a proud mother of four—three through adoption—she moved to Kalamazoo in 2020 to focus on meeting the unique needs of her children and to deepen her advocacy for adoptive families.

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With a personal foundation in adoption services, Bren is deeply committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, supportive, and loving family. She works to improve outcomes for both children and families by building bridges of trust, advocacy, and care. Her passion lies in strengthening support systems post-placement, helping families navigate challenges and celebrate milestones long after the adoption process is complete.

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Bren is an advocate for homeschool education and has created innovative learning opportunities that prioritize inclusivity, flexibility, and student growth. She is the inspiration and creator of the CL Hub Independent Studies Program and currently directs it along with leading Summer and out of school programs for Ripple Effects.

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In her spare time, she enjoys reading and traveling with her mom, finding joy in both quiet moments and shared adventures.

Kimberly

Kimberly is the Community Learning Hub Coordinator at Ripple Effect Inclusion Center, creating inclusive academic and social enrichment opportunities for home-educated youth and families.

Kimberly has served as an Advocate Coordinator with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Michigan and as a Guardianship Reviewer for Berrien County Family Court, where she supported children in foster care and guardianship placements. She co-founded the Southwest Michigan Inclusive Learning Community, where she provided leadership in board governance, program facilitation, and organizational compliance.

She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Social Work at Western Michigan University, with plans to enter the Advanced Standing MSW program. She is also an alumna of the Emerging Leader Academy at ONEplace in Kalamazoo. Kimberly brings extensive experience in child advocacy, inclusive education, and nonprofit leadership to her work at Ripple Effects Community Inclusion Center.

Outside of her professional and academic roles,

Kimberly enjoys reading, art, and spending time with family. She is passionate about creating spaces where families and individuals feel connected, supported, and empowered to be their most authentic selves.

Bethy

Bethy Houseman personally oversees our Direct Support Professionals, engaging them with hands-on training, interactive role-playing to learn best practices, collegiate level educational videos/articles on various interventions, & more. She functions as our main scheduler for Respite & CLS services & also coordinates with the rest of the Ripple Effects team (Go Team Wave!), including program directors, Direct Support Professionals, parents, etc.  

Bethy earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from WMU. She has experience working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and maintains that certification with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board today. Bethy is comfortable working with a wide spectrum of ages & support needs, offering education & assistance in a variety of domains, from communication to safety to social skills. 

When she is out of the Center, Bethy enjoys a hodgepodge of writing, watercolor painting, photography, hiking, reading, and a rotating variety of new hyperfixations. Most important to Bethy is being able to continually learn and use that information to make her little pocket of the world—be it in her home, around her family, or in Ripple Effects—a better place for all to be.  

Trinity

Trinity is a Direct Support Professional at Ripple Effects, where she dedicates her time to empowering clients to discover their strengths, achieve their goals, and build confidence in themselves. She has a natural talent for connecting with children and individuals of all abilities, encouraging them to embrace their potential and take pride in their accomplishments. Trinity’s approach combines patience, creativity, and genuine care, helping clients feel seen, supported, and inspired.

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Trinity’s commitment to inclusion and advocacy stems from her personal experiences growing up alongside her younger brother, who is on the autism spectrum. This firsthand understanding of the unique challenges and triumphs of neurodiverse individuals informs her compassionate approach. In high school, she further honed her mentorship skills by guiding peers with learning differences through a peer-to-peer program, deepening her dedication to creating environments where everyone feels valued and supported. Trinity continues to bring this perspective to her work every day, fostering confidence, independence, and joy in the clients she serves.

Outside of her professional role, Trinity loves going on adventures, spending quality time with her family and friends, singing along to her favorite tunes, and playing video games. Trinity believes that encouragement, connection, and a touch of fun are essential ingredients for personal growth, and she brings that philosophy to every interaction she has.

Lauren W.

Lauren serves Ripple Effects Community Inclusion Center members as a life skills coach for elementary age groups. As a life skills coach, Lauren supports students of all abilities in grades 1 through 6 helping them to develop confidence, resilience, and essential life skills. Through personalized guidance, she helps students set meaningful goals, manage emotions, solve problems, build social skills, and make positive decisions.

An Air Force veteran, Lauren brings focused expertise and extensive experience to her coaching practice. She has worked closely with students through KRESA Kalamazoo Transition Services and contributed to Ripple Effect’s Day Camp and RESPITE care programs. 

Lauren is deeply committed to community outreach, education, curriculum development, and family support. By utilizing strategies such as goal-setting, visualization, and positive reinforcement, Lauren empowers children to become intentional, capable individuals prepared to meet life’s challenges with confidence.

Outside of her career Lauren enjoys exploring the local community, engaging in creative projects, and spending quality time with her daughter, husband, and dog.

Kara

Kara serves as a Board Certified Music Therapist at Ripple Effects Community Inclusion Center, where she is dedicated to providing affirming and anti-oppressive music therapy practices. She strives to create supportive spaces where all individuals feel heard, valued, and empowered through music.

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Kara discovered music therapy in 7th grade choir and knew from that moment she wanted to pursue it as a career. She went on to earn her degree in music therapy from Nazareth College of Rochester in 2017, and then completed her clinical internship at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester, NY. She has worked at a private practice in Jackson, MI since 2018 as both music therapist and business integrator. 

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Kara continues to serve communities with compassion, skill, and commitment. She brings both her lived experience as an Asian-American member of the LGBTQIA+ community and her professional training to her work at Ripple Effects, ensuring her approach is rooted in inclusivity and respect.

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Outside of her professional role, Kara enjoys reading: participating in multiple book clubs, interacting with Michigan based authors, and spending way too much time in bookstores. She also fills every other moment of her time with her husband and daughter (with another on the way!)