Institute Advisory Council

The Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute’s Advisory Council guides and supports the Institute's work activities through monthly council meetings, review of work products, and participation at Institute events. We welcome new members with lived experience of financial instability and strive to maintain diverse representation both in terms of social identities and members’ locations within the state.

Current Members: 

Kim Kim Boyd, Indianapolis, IN – I am the Founder & President of the H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Prosper Economically) TEAM which is a grassroots, volunteer collaborative effort that has been seeking to help the underserved in Indianapolis for over 30 years.  Originally from Gary, Indianapolis has been my home for over 40 years. I enjoy spending time with my family and grandchildren.
  • Policy interests: Children/families being able to cope in dysfunctional environments, crime, seniors being able to "stay in place", the welfare system, DCS, affordable childcare
Destiny Destiny Faceson, Indianapolis, IN - I am a Grassroots Maternal and Child Health Leader. As an advocate of public health, I focus my efforts on lowering Indiana's infant and maternal mortality rates, helping families secure and keep their housing, and supporting community collaborations.
  • Policy interests: Family mental health, housing insecurity, paid time off, and wage gaps.

RJ Dunavan, Cayuga, IN – I am a County Commissioner from Vermillion County. I have a strong passion for serving my community as I got elected at age 21 to my local school board. Affecting change and being a voice for the people is something I take pride in doing. I’m always looking to expand my horizons and help in any way I can. I like to leave a place better than I found it. 

  • Policy interests: Housing, including addressing issues with housing stock before they get to a point of no repair, workforce and jobs, giving tools/letting people of all ages know what’s available to them
Crystal Hilbert, Muncie, IN – I worked in the medical field for 19 years. I love to help others and have a passion to do so. I’m a mom of one grown son that’s 25. I like to spend time with my nieces and nephews. I served as SGA President at Ivy Tech Community College at the Richmond campus. I enjoyed learning policies, procedures, voting and how things work. 
  • Policy interests: What we have in place for people with disabilities and the time in between working and getting disability, housing issues, tenants' rights
 Derrick

Derrick Faulkens, South Bend, IN - I have three adult children. I was a union carpenter for more than 20 years and I have also held several sales jobs over the past 40 years to make ends meet. I am currently in my 11th year as a bartender at Legends on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. In September, I will begin the final phase of the South Bend Entrepreneur Adversity Program.

  • Policy interest: Workforce development, education and youth leadership programs, housing, community health and welfare and social justice
 Wendy

Wendy Wright, Camden, IN - I worked in and out of healthcare for over 20 years and received my Bachelor's Degree in Health Care Administration/Management before becoming disabled because of an unconventional cervical spinal cord injury in 2019. I have been a Certified Health Care Worker and Certified Addictions Recovery Coach, have led women's trauma groups, and have worked in in-patient facilities and schools along with working with patients in behavioral and mental health. I have also engaged in social work, helping link people to resources and assist them with navigating and completing different programs. I am a passionate advocate for mental health, trauma victims, fighting against homelessness, and fighting for the aged and disabled communities.    

  • Policy interests: Addressing circumstances contributing to the increasing amount of people who are living in poverty and on the verge of homelessness, bringing more awareness to people about assistance programs, addressing the lack of assistance and insurance coverage for people with disabilities who are not veterans to address what people with disabilities actually need and the challenges they face. I also want to help identify and address the many issues within federal programs that are in place that contribute to people being disqualified from state programs
 

Kassandra Berger, Jasper, IN

  • Policy interests: Support of foster children/ families (with a focus on those with high medical and/or support needs), workers' rights, health care access, education, fair lending practices, recidivism reduction

 
 

 Kendra Cuyler, Merrillville, IN  

  • Policy interests: Housing, supports for individuals with disabilities

 

Teresa Jarman, Schererville, IN - I am the Founder of Refuge Healing Center. RHC assist men and women with housing and utility resources. RHC also extend behavior mod services to adults and children. RHC is known as a safe place to share the traumas of life. 

  • Policy interests: Children/families being able to cope in dysfunctional environments, Depression, anxiety, autism, the welfare system, DCS, affordable childcare
Ray

Ray Meador, Jefferson County, IN - Father of 4 adult children. Maintenance man for over 25 years. Hoping to be a voice for those, who like myself, found their world turned upside down and helping in whatever way I can is a way to pay back the communities I'm a part of. I’m hoping to help make things a little better than what I've learned they really are. Main thing I I know first hand, no matter how hard it is, you can never give up.

  • Policy interests: Housing, community health and welfare, workforce availability and jobs, transportation for work,  pointing those in the direction of what’s available to them.
April

April Pearson, Dearborn, IN - I have a passion for social justice and helping others and believe that everyone should be economically empowered. I have over ten years of experience in education and youth work and I am a certified ACES (adverse childhood experiences) master trainer. 

  • Policy interests: Housing insecurity, mental health awareness, public education, affordable healthcare
Aja Aja Jester, Bloomington, IN - I work at South Central Community Action Program in non-profit finance. I am also a captain in SCCAP’s Thriving Connections, founding TC’s  Talking About Change auxiliary  group.  I am a Steward committee member and facilitator of Strengthening Families with Coping Resources. I also serve as a Monroe County Precinct Committee person. I am most passionate about raising my children to be empowered to advocate for themselves and others.
  • Policy interests: Living wages, affordable housing, equity in education, social justice and mental health
 

Amber Pardo, Valparaiso, IN - I'm a Valparaiso, Indiana native and work at CoAction, formerly known as Housing Opportunities and NICA (Northwest Indiana Community Action), as a Housing Advocate. I'm a Human Services graduate with a concentration in Substance Abuse from Ivy Tech Community College. I previously worked in courts and probation, was a patient service representative, a community health worker, and a community relations specialist. I've received multiple certifications in Adult Mental Health First Aid, Brief Action Planning, Chronic Care Paraprofessional, Screening/Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), and Motivational Interviewing.  I have three adult children, and 6 grandchildren. I'm also a huge fan of the Oak Ridge Boys, love my Bee Gees, and Debbie McComber is my favorite author.  

  • Policy interests: Income thresholds for supportive services, emergency assistance, medical debt, food security
 
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