2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brian Holtzhafer
Board President
Brian Holtzhafer
Educational Background / Experience
MS Science Education, Montana State University
MEd Curriculum, Kutztown University
BS Env Sci/Geology, Kutztown University
Occupation
Science teacher, Parkland School District
How does your background relate to your involvement as a TKP Board Member?
Being a teacher allows me to build relationships with many students from a variety of backgrounds. One of my greatest accomplishments has been guiding students to become productive members of our society. The Kindness Project is a way to further this mission.
What makes you passionate about TKP's mission?
I am fortunate to be able to adequately provide for my children and family and want to be a part of allowing all children to have the opportunities that my children have.
"For we live by faith, not by sight."
Brittany Karoly, Esq.
Board Vice President
Brittany W. Karoly, Esq.
Educational Background / Experience
Juris Doctorate at University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law
BA in Business Administration and Economics at Bellarmine University
Occupation
Attorney, Stutman Law
How does your background relate to your involvement as a TKP Board Member?
I have been practicing law since 2007 and have lived in the Lehigh Valley since 2010. A few years ago, I volunteered as a legal advocate in Dilley, Texas, assisting women and children seeking asylum in the United States. When I returned from that trip, I knew it was well past time that I got more involved in serving vulnerable populations closer to home. I first learned of TKP around that time, and its mission really resonated with my desire to make a tangible impact in our community.
What makes you passionate about TKP's mission?
Having my own kids completely opened my eyes to the needs of children in a new way. I became much more aware of the resources required to provide children with a stable foundation to grow and thrive. Assisting foster families in meeting the needs of the children in their care, and helping the kids to thrive, is central to everything that TKP does. I am honored to support that mission as part of TKP's Board.
"Nothing will work, unless you do."
(Maya Angelou)
Diane McAloon
Board Secretary
Diane McAloon
Educational Background / Experience
MEd Adult Education, Penn State
BA in Communications, Bloomsburg University
Certificate in Project Management, Penn State
Occupation
Retired from Penn State University
How does your background relate to your involvement as a TKP Board Member?
The majority of my career has been dedicated to Community Outreach. As a Continuing Education professional I have had the opportunity to carry out my strong belief that education is power. I also served in the Office of Campus Development as Director of Alumni Relations, helping to raise funds for scholarships, building expansion and extracurricular activities for our students to enhance their classroom education.
What makes you passionate about TKP's mission?
The mission of The Kindnesss Project gives foster kids the chance to have some of the same opportunities for a wonderful life as their peers who are not in foster care. Community support for resource families lets them know they are not alone in this selfless gesture toward children in need. Ultimately it's all about helping to get foster kids on the path to a successful life and hopefully point them toward the value of life-long education along the way.
You reap what you sow.
Michelle Bitner
Board Treasurer
Michelle Bitner
Educational Background / Experience
BS in Business Administration, Accounting
20 Years of Experience in Public Accounting
Occupation
Manager, Campbell, Rappold & Yurasits LLP
How does your background relate to your involvement as a TKP Board Member?
A large part of our practice includes providing accounting services to many area Not-for-Profit Organizations. I love to see what they've accomplished when I see them each year and all the wonderful services that they provide for our community.
What makes you passionate about TKP's mission?
As a mother myself, I know how very important it is for children to be safe, nurtured and have the basic life essentials to thrive and do their best. Children are our future and foster parents are such wonderful individuals who dedicate their lives to helping others. Joining The Kindness Project board and helping foster children and families is an honor.
To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.
Dr. Seuss
Ian Dollman
Ian Dollman
Educational Background / Experience
Master of Public Health at the University of South Florida
BS Biology at Messiah University
Occupation
Owner, Queen of the Valley Farm a Pet Resort
How does your background relate to your involvement as a TKP Board Member?
I've always been a helper and am drawn to those who are most vulnerable and are in their current situation through no fault of their own. I've taught kids who didn't have a teacher in Zambia, done research regarding underutilization of healthcare in refugee populations in an effort to implement programs for better health outcomes, and completed needs assessments in rural Uganda regarding health and agriculture to properly tailor policy. I was naturally drawn to The Kindness Project right in my back yard to continue helping where I can.
What makes you passionate about TKP's mission?
I love that TKP helps to provide some of the basics the families and kids need so they can focus more on their relationships and moving forward. I'm excited for the future of more programs becoming available to guide kids into their futures with more resources.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Takyra Batz
Takyra Batz
Educational Background / Experience
BS in Accounting, Marketing Minor & Leadership Certificate at Cedar Crest College
Occupation
Finance Manager, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
How does your background relate to your involvement as a TKP Board Member?
Throughout my life experiences, I have had the opportunity to explore elements of leadership, collaboration, and success through joint community partnerships. A personal goal of mine is to have patience and a beginner's mindset for all scenarios and decisions in my personal, professional and community life. Between my current involvement working in a non-profit, experience in community-lead opportunities, mindful approaches, and an undying drive to grow, I hope to give TKP all the support it asks of a Board Member and volunteer.
What makes you passionate about TKP's mission?
Before being introduced to TKP, I had very limited exposure to the Foster system in any capacity (school, personally, etc.). Since starting with TKP, I have found that TKP's mission to provide love and dignity to our foster care community has educated, and inspired, me to do my part too. I strive for everyone in the world to feel loved, regardless of anything that they are internally or externally experiencing; and TKP offers me the opportunity to build and spread love for our people of tomorrow.
"You are made to do hard things."
"It is within the discomfort that we evolve."
Angie Gillen
Angie Gillen
Educational Background / Experience
BA Women's Studies at Temple University
Occupation
The Salvation Army Children's Services, Director of Education and Outreach
How does your background relate to your involvement as a TKP Board Member?
I've worked in child welfare for over 15 years, starting with my first job after college working as a case manager for The Juvenile Law Center. In my current role at SACS, I raise awareness for the need for foster and adoptive families and help families become licensed to be foster and adoptive parents. I also help to ensure that our agency’s families receive the trauma-informed training they need to be able to meet the needs of the children we place in their homes.
What makes you passionate about TKP's mission?
TKP wraps foster families in support which helps encourage them and reminds them that they're not alone in their work to care for and protect vulnerable children. When families are supported, they are able to be successful at fostering and are more likely to continue to care for children who need them. There are never enough families for children in care so we need to take really good care of the families who have stepped up and are doing this important work. Not everyone can be a foster parent, but through TKP, we all can find meaningful ways to contribute to giving foster children a great life.
Sara Meck
Sara Meck, MSW
Educational Background / Experience
MS in Social Work at Marywood University
BS Sociology and Minor in Psychology from Kutztown University
Occupation
Program Specialist, Lehigh County Office of Children and Youth Services
How does your background relate to your involvement as a TKP Board Member?
I started my career in social services at the Boys and Girls Club and because of the experience there changed courses from education to Social Work. I've been at Lehigh County for the past 15 years and have worked in every capacity at the agency. For the past 6 years I have been the placement specialist and have worked solely with children being placed in out of home care.
What makes you passionate about TKP's mission?
The kids we work with come from such an emotionally and physically diverse area. It's hard to meet kids where they are and to be honest, I sort of can't stand that saying because who are we to know where kids are. We are trying to show them that with the bad comes some good, that they are safe, and they are cared for. TKP takes that idea and expands on it tremendously. Some of these children have never had something new, and now they can. Some need shoes that fit their feet and don't hurt, now they can get them. The passion is something that can't be faked.
"Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."
Fred Rogers