A Marquette native, Sarah spent her childhood and adolescence in and around the Marquette area. As a result of growing up within this community, she is intimately familiar with the idyllic childhood experiences Marquette county can provide, as well as the unique threats and circumstances inherent in isolated, semi-rural areas which imperil those childhoods.   

Since transplanting to Flint over a decade ago, Sarah has made a significant impact in child related fields across the lower peninsula, with a focus on Genesee and Shiawassee counties. As a mother who found herself giving birth to and raising a child during the height of the Flint Water Crisis, she is passionately committed to creating safe places and spaces for all Michigan children.  

In pursuit of this goal, Sarah has participated in the child-serving community throughout her career, working at various organizations including: 

Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD), Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC), The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, Voices for Children Advocacy Center, as well as with her consultation work for the Michigan Public Health Institute.

Over the past 5 years, Sarah’s hard work and donor stewardship has enabled her to secure 2.2 million dollars annually in funding and grant development for the Voices for Children Advocacy Center which serves Genesee & Shiawassee Counties.

As the Vice President of Advocacy and Advancement at the Voices CAC, she oversaw a variety of departments and programs including:

Volunteer coordination, CASA, marketing &  events, advocacy, prevention, the family resource center, grant funding, operations, and the Local Leadership Group.

In tandem with her employment in community-building positions, Sarah has had a prolific career in contracting, grant writing, facilitating, and presenting at both a state and national level. She has also served on multiple boards, including:

PSI-Michigan, PLISG at MPHI (former chair, current member), Michigan Great Start Advisory  

Sarah earned her Associate in Child Development degree from MSU and her Bachelor of Science in Applied Workplace Management from NMU

As Executive Director, Sarah is eager to use all the skills she has developed to ensure the Marquette community is a safe place for children to thrive.

Originally from a small rural town downstate, Alaina is a Northern Michigan University alumna for whom Marquette has always been a second home.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Theater through the Department of Communications at NMU and has gone on to complete several additional hours of post-baccalaureate study focusing on Psychology, Biology, and Human Development.

Alaina is trained in conducting forensic interviews through the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan (PAAM).

In addition to her experience as the primary Forensic Interviewer for a lower eastern Michigan child advocacy center, she has more than 20 years of experience working with children and families in the education, caregiving, and advocacy fields.

Alaina has held a richly diversified series of positions with various child-centric entities, including as: a member of an elementary school Title 1 teaching staff, a Red Cross certified lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor (WSI), assorted staff member positions at the Atlanta History Center summer day camp in Georgia & Camp Sabra sleepaway camp in Missouri, a Learning Coach for a multi-age “pod” classroom during the height of the pandemic, and as a License Exempt Provider (LEP) home visiting coach through the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.

Having benefited from opportunities to participate in the diverse network of child-centric services and systems, Alaina is thrilled to now be back on the shore of Lake Superior and put these skills in practice supporting children across Marquette County.

Ethan brings a decade of experience working with children in the fields of Education, Forensic Interviewing, and Advocacy.

Ethan is trained in conducting Forensic Interviews and Victim Advocacy through the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan (PAAM), Forensic Interviewing through National Children’s Advocacy Centers, and responding to community trauma through the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) crisis response program.

Ethan developed and piloted the Victim & Family Advocacy program at the Voices for Children Advocacy Center in Flint, MI.

In addition to Survivor and Family Advocacy, Ethan designs and manages Northern Lights CAC’s website, marketing, social media, public relations, branding, and more.

Ethan has presented on both a state and national level on victim advocacy and on LGBTQIA+ DEIJ training centered around protecting queer youth.

A believer in the power of art and empathy, Ethan holds a position as a senior board member of Youth Arts: Unlocked, since its incorporation as a 501(c)3. Youth Arts: Unlocked brings art and wellness programs to justice-involved youth, and youth-in-detention in Flint and Genesee County, and at Genesee County Juvenile Justice Center.

Ethan is comfortable in both a rural and urban setting, having taught afterschool art & social justice programs for children in grades k-12, as an Americorps VISTA in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

This is Ethan’s first time living in the Upper Peninsula, and is already in love with the natural beauty and friendly culture.

Nathyn Thompson is a former Children’s Services worker in Marquette, Alger, and Schoolcraft Counties; both as a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigator and a case manager for youth placed in foster care.

Originally from the Eastern UP, Nathyn has lived in Marquette since 2016 and is firmly committed to serving communities in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Nathyn is trained in conducting Forensic Interviews by the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan (PAAM) and by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Child Welfare Institute, as well as Group Crisis Intervention by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF).

Nathyn served with the Michigan Army National Guard for seven years. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 2014, and is an OIF Veteran (2010) serving in Central Iraq as a bridge engineer. He earned two bachelor’s degrees from Western Michigan University, one in Psychology and another in Biomedical Sciences. Currently, Nathyn is pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at Northern Michigan University.

As an active volunteer, Nathyn has served on local non-profit Boards including the Central UP CISM team and the Marquette Area Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. He also brings experience in K12 education as a former aide and substitute teacher, and in leading workshop presentations for new substitute teachers across the UP.

A passionate team builder, the MDT Coordinator brings a diverse background to help children and families in Marquette County. Building on professional relationships made while working in child welfare, Nathyn is excited to help facilitate an excellent team of professionals to protect children in the UP.

Kaylee Bares, a third-year psychology student at Northern Michigan University with a minor in deaf studies, is driven by a passion for making a difference in the world.

As a first-generation student, she is driven to prove that success knows no boundaries, regardless of one's background. Her active participation in student organizations and research studies on campus has improved her academic experience and allowed her to contribute significantly to the NMU community. As the co-founder and president of the Art Therapy Club, she is breaking the stigma around mental health discussions and providing a safe space for self-expression through art.

Kaylee's professional experience as a Registered Behavioral Technician, providing behavioral services to children with autism and intellectual disabilities, demonstrates her dedication and compassion in working with children. She has worked directly with children and families in clinical and in-home settings.

She has volunteered extensively, accumulating over 300 hours of volunteer work since starting at NMU in 2021. Kaylee volunteered at the Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center for over 100 hours until she was asked to stay on as part-time staff.

She now works to improve the Marquette community while building partnerships between NMU and the Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center.

After graduating a semester early in December 2024, she plans to pursue a Master's in Social Work. She is eager to continue positively impacting the world and pursuing her passion for helping others.