BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADVISORY BOARD

meet our

STAFF

meet our

Paul Seyferth Seyferth, Blumenthal & Harris Sue McCord Belzer Community Volunteer Rose Farnan Truman Medical Centers Sandy Geduldig Community Volunteer Janette Berkley Patton PhD UMKC School of Medicine Kathy Goggin PhD Children’s Mercy Lisa Krigsten Dentons Honorable Kevin Harrell Jackson County Circuit Court Brenda Williams Community Volunteer

Pastor Cassandra Wainright Vickie Richard Rene Reynolds Joshua Williams Rita Reed Valerie Bronson Leah Banks

QUICK LINKS

HYPE

WELLNESS CENTER

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

HYPE is a performing arts group sponsored by the Calvary Community Outreach Network (CCON). CCON’s mission is to provide innovative programs & services designed to enrich the lives of individuals and families living in urban Kansas City.

The Calvary Community Wellness Center provides structured fitness opportunities and information to youth and families living and working in urban Kansas City. The 10,000 square foot warehouse located at 3002 Holmes Street has been converted into a state of the art fitness center to serve youth and families in the target group. Health screenings, nutrition demonstrations and fitness classes are among the program offerings.

We are proud to offer a number of programs and services to our community including National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, KC FAITH Initiative, KC Fun and Fitness Day, Taking it to the Pews (TIPS), Helping Youth Plan for Excellence (HYPE), Health Related Research Projects and so much more. Click learn more for more information on all of our programs and services.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield

Henry Hodes

Henry’s work at Blue Cross /Blue Shield of Kansas City mirrors the passion that he has exhibited throughout his professional career. He is a passionate and skilled professional who is focused on engaging the community and closing the gap on health disparities. Henry is a graduate of Rockhurst High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Notre Dame. Henry explains “I’ve been blessed with parents, grandparents, parishes, schools and friends that have helped me grow in my faith, and I’m driven to ensure everyone has those same opportunities.”

ERISE IP, P.A.

Clifford Brazen

Clients benefit from Cliff Brazen’s varied background in patent law and client counseling. At Erise IP, Cliff focuses on complex intellectual property litigation and IPR (inter partes review) proceedings. Prior to joining the Erise team, Cliff’s experience included serving as a patent attorney in private practice as well as working at the USPTO (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office). Additionally, his undergraduate degree in Metallurgical & Materials Engineering with a minor in Bioengineering & Life Sciences uniquely positions him to advise clients in complex high-technology and intellectual property matters. Cliff’s background includes preparation and prosecution of patent applications on both U.S. and foreign matters as well as market analysis of patentability to prior art search, freedom-to- operate opinions, patent applications, strategies and business transactions. His practice has encompassed a range of technologies with an emphasis on the metallurgical and mechanical arts. Prior to his experience in private practice, he served as a research assistant at the University of Kansas School of Law, where he researched and summarized a variety of topics including the “article of manufacture” requirement of design patents and historical case law as it relates to computer generated icons as well as patent application rejection statics by art unit for first, non-final and final office actions.

Network Connectors Inc. Alan Dubois Alan was the founder of the Genesis School, an award-winning school for at-risk youth. His current endeavor is Network Connectors(™) a nonprofit organization which connects aspiring, community-based, nonprofit leaders with seasoned, community leaders (e.g. senior United Way Agency, CEOs) to better serve low-income families and disadvantaged youth.

Vice President Ellis McGee Ellis a employee of the Toyota Company is a committed servant leader. He is a faithful husband, father and grandfather. His life is immersed in volunteer service and ministry. Ellis serves as chairman of the Board of Deacons for the Calvary Temple Baptist Church and leads the Christian Education program.. An avid sportsman, he enjoys a wide range of sporting activities. Last but not least, his sense of humor is priceless. Ellis warms the room with laughter even on some of the roughest days.

Health Forward Foundation Jason Williams Jason joined Health Forward as a program officer in 2019. He previously served as the director of the Mary L. Kelly Center where his work focused on neighborhood transformation, active living, and youth development. Prior to his work at the Mary L. Kelly Center, Jason developed youth and senior programs at Kansas City Parks and Recreation. Jason is settling in as a new dad and enjoying fatherhood immensely.

KCMO Health Department Frank E. Thompson Jr. Frank began his work with the Kansas City Health Department in 1999 as a Public Health Planner. Frank was recently promoted to Deputy Director within the Health Department. In this role, he oversees several programs including, Policy Development and HIV services, Health Commission, Health Communications/Media Relations and Community Health Data Dissemination. Frank has represented KCHD on several city-wide commissions, planning bodies and/or advisory bodies. Within KCHD, Frank provides leadership for implementation of the Kansas City Health Commission (2001), and the KCHD Office of Strategic Management (known as the Division of Community Engagement, Policy and Accountability). Nationally, Frank has served on the HIV/STI Workgroup for the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) from 2009 to 2013, as well as the Board of Directors for several local non-profit agencies engaged in providing health services and health education within the Kansas City metropolitan region.

President Sarah Holdmeyer Sarah Holdmeyer works with the firm Bryan Cave Leighton and Paisner focuses her practice in commercial litigation and labor and employment. Ms. Holdmeyer was a 2015 summer associate in the firm’s Kansas City office. While in law school, Ms. Holdmeyer served as a student intern for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Missouri, as well as a clerk to the Honorable Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. In addition, she worked for the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration as an investigative assistant.

Derrick A. Dydell Derrick A. Dydell is a leader in the field of HIV Prevention and Care. He has given many years of service to the community as an HIV/AIDS activist and by serving as a member of the Kansas City Transitional Grant Area (TGA), Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention, and Care Planning Council. Derrick serves as a model for the leadership potential of consumers in the Kansas City. TGA. Mr. Dydell prides himself on promoting community awareness and advocacy for HIV/AIDS. Mr. Dydell’ s HIV/AIDS related leadership experience. includes serving as Vice Chair of the Kansas City HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Planning Council, serving as both Chair and Vice Chair of several subcommittees for the Kansas City HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Planning Council, serving on the Heart of America Community AIDS Partnership Advisory Committee, serving as a member the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, and a member of the Statewide Comprehensive Prevention Planning Group.

Secretary Michele Stitt Michele is a deeply motivated community volunteer. In her role as the Assistant Director of Communication for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Michele is charged with building relationships with government and community leaders, mobilizing volunteers and programs, and supporting community initiatives. She is a nurturing Mom & a loving wife.

Treasurer Nick Nocita Nick is an accomplished Accounting, Finance and Business Leader responsible for planning, directing, and reporting internal audit projects for Fortune 500 corporations. He has have achieved significant career accomplishments in financial analysis, management consulting and in public accounting. We are so proud that Nick is on the CCON team.

KC Care Health Center Dennis Dunmeyer Dennis Dunmyer, is the Chief Operating Officer for KC Are Health Center. He has over 17 years of experience working in the non-profit sector. Prior to joining KC CARE in 2009, Dennis was the Manager of Admissions for Marillac Children's Psychiatric Hospital and Residential Center. Prior to service in his current role at KC CARE, Dennis served in two clinic management positions, starting as a Manager of HIV Case Management and then Manager of Behavioral Health. He is the co-chair of the Kansas City Regional Community Health Worker Stakeholder Committee, sits on the Community Health Worker Advisory Committee to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, is the Program Director on four federal grants, was named the 2014 Health Advocate of the Year by the Missouri Health Advocacy Alliance, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Kansas and Missouri. Dennis is responsible for all community services at the clinic – including care coordination, case management, education, and prevention services. During the last five years, Dennis has built and implemented the Community Health Worker Program at KC CARE while dedicating time and effort to developing community-wide infrastructure for the program, such as training and education, state-wide advocacy, and community awareness.

Steve Henderson Steve's favorite expression "adapt, adjust and overcome" comes from his service time with the US Military but even more to his current view of life. Devoted husband, father and grandfather he devotes time into making things work on the home front. His current position is with the United States Customs and Immigration Services, National Benefits Center as an Operation Support Specialist II. He has received countless awards and recognitions. Steve is also serves as a Deacon with the Calvary Temple Baptist Church.