OUR STAFF

Sheldon Schwitek

Executive Director
Sheldon comes to Community Advocates with more than 30 years of experience supporting people who experience disability which began with the birth of his youngest brother when he was 13 years old.

With a firm grounding in Person Centered Work through long associations with Inclusion Press and the Toronto Summer Institute, Sheldon’s focus has always been on encouraging people to “dream bigger” as a pathway to true citizenship. He is passionate about people living meaningful lives of contribution in their communities.

In 2011, Sheldon began to work with The Center for Positive Living Supports and their implementation of a Culture of Gentleness in Michigan. This work solidified his knowledge that relationships and community connections are fundamental to a safe and happy life. 

Recently, Sheldon has been working nationally and internationally weaving together his experience in Person Centered Work and mentorship as exemplary tools to assist people to realize full potential as citizens. 

The key message in Sheldon’s work is that all people can lead lives that are rich and meaningful and that this is the our most important work. He is excited to continue to deepen his practice and understanding of this work at The Arc Community Advocates in Kalamazoo; a community that is committed to social justice for all.

Anne Gaertner

Director of Outreach & Advocacy

Annie joined Community Advocates in January of 2018 as an Individual & Family Advocate, and transitioned into The Director of Outreach & Advocacy in the Fall of 2021. She brings 25 years of experience working directly with families and individuals, extensive knowledge of community resources, and experience advocating for families in need. 

Annie has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health Education from Central Michigan University. However, Annie jumped headfirst into the social services arena right after college, and found her true passion there. She started her career doing in-home crisis intervention with families in Northern Michigan, and later in the Greater Grand Rapids area. She then worked for 8 years at St. Joseph County Community Mental Health, supporting adults that experience disabilities in a psycho-social rehabilitation setting. Annie continued in her career, and began working in schools as an Assistant Teacher in a severe cognitively impaired classroom at the St Joseph County ISD. Annie and her family relocated to Portage, MI, and her work continued at Portage Public Schools as a Special Education paraprofessional and MTSS/ Behavior Intervention Support. In 2015, her career took a pivotal turn, when she took a position as a Community Resource Advisor for Michigan 211, connecting families in need to resources in their community.

As you can clearly see, Annie brings a myriad of unique and diverse skills to The Arc Community Advocates. She is a resourceful and collaborative Advocate, has extensive knowledge of community resources, and loves supporting her Advocacy Team.

In her spare time, Annie is an accomplished musician, performing in two local concert bands. She enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, thrift shopping, and attending concerts and musicals.

LaTaynia Conant

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

LaTaynia joined The Arc Community Advocates in January of 2017, she has 16 years of administrative, non-profit experience. With great organizational skills, she has been able wear many hats including, social media marketing, graphic design, website development, data entry and reporting, and fundraising event planning and management where she has helped raise thousands of dollars through Auctions, Golf Scrambles Luncheons and more.  

LaTaynia started out at Community Inclusive Recreation in 2005 and has always worked in a non-profit whose focus has been community inclusion. She took a couple of years to be at home and  raise her daughter and then found the perfect fit at The Arc Community Advocates. 

 In her spare time you will find her camping, crafting, or spending quality time with friends and family. 

Jackie Van Horn

Individual & Family Advocate

Jackie brings a diverse skill set to the Arc Community Advocates.  With a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Western Michigan University in Psychology and Sociology, she focuses on behavior as communication, and looks at situations as more than just the “moment”.  

As a mom of a child with special needs, she has worked with son’s school system from First Grade until his Graduation.  Along this journey, she focused on also teaching Self Advocacy Skills to her son, so he can be successful in both school and future employment.  She has been an active participant in her Parent Advisory Committee for 10 years.  

As a La Leche League Leader, she understands supporting families as they are, in the moment.  Previous employment includes 4 years as a Parent Mentor with Michigan Alliance for Families.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, singing, rescuing dogs, and getting in touch with nature.  

Kim Hinds-Lepsy

Individual & Family Advocate

Kim joins the Arc Community Advocates after gaining 20+ years of

experience working with several of Kalamazoo’s most dedicated

community organizations including Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, Ask

Services for Kids, Head Start and Living Ways. She is also a mother of 4,

learning first-hand the challenges of navigating the Mental Health

System and using those experiences to empower others.

Kim believes in making her community the best it can be for everyone,

that being uniquely authentic is better than being perfect and that The

Beatles are the greatest Rock band in history, but Prince’s performance

of “While my Guitar Gently Weeps” at his induction into the Rock & Roll

Hall of Fame can’t be beat.

Kallie Griffin-Pena

Individual & Family Advocate

Kallie comes to The Arc Community Advocates with a diverse skill set. Kallie graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree from Western Michigan University in Health and Physical Education, and began her education journey working in many area districts such as Paw Paw, Lawrence, KRESA and Portage, where she developed her passion for working with children in Special Education. While working in the various Special Education programs, Kallie became the go to person when it came to behaviors, as she met each student where they were at, and viewed their behaviors as a means of communication. Her unique approach helped her to build relationships with her students and their families. 

In her free time, Kallie enjoys being active and outside with her family, as well as camping and traveling to Disney World every year with her family and making magical memories that last a lifetime. She currently is the Director and Vice-President of the Challenger Little League, Kalamazoo's inclusion softball program run out of Milwood Little League, which quickly became her passion as soon as she stepped onto the field. When she isn't on the field coaching Challenger, you can find her on the field watching her son play baseball and football or on the court playing basketball. 

Sarah Carmany
Legislative Liaison

Sarah Carmany has been advocating personally and legislatively for over a decade. She is the Vice Chair of the Self- Advocates of Michigan (S.A.M.) board, and a board member for Integrated Services of Kalamazoo. Sarah is also involved on a number of committees at the local, state and national level, advocating for fair representation and inclusion of people who experience IDD. Additionally, Sarah is an experienced presenter on topics related to promoting self-advocacy, self-determination and inclusive employment for individuals with developmental disabilities in Michigan.