meet our AMAZING team

Adena holds a B.S. in History and Political Science, a B.A. in Humanities and an M.E.S. in Environmental Policy & Sustainability. She has worked in both the non-profit and academic setting as an organizer, consultant, and teacher. In 2016 she moved to the public sector as the City of Springfield's Programs Coordinator for the Office of Public Works where she oversees the Waste & Recycling department. She is an active community participant, involved with the Springfield Area Arts Council, Sustainable Springfield, Inc., and both a musician and artist.  

Betsy holds both a B.F.A & M.F.A in printmaking and paper making from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She made her first block print when she was seven years old and has been exploring the medium ever since. She has taught art at every level from preschool through the University and to every age and ability level. Her work been shown internationally and is in private collections across the county. She has been the Executive Director at the Springfield Art Association (SAA) since fall of 2009.

Caleb has been working at Inner City Mission since 2003. In 2011, he received his  B.A. in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University. That same year he became ICM's Director of Operation- taking a behind-the-scenes role while teaching various classes to ICM residents. In 2019, he also became President of the Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement Association (EPNIA). He shares his home with his wife and two children. 

Cassie is currently an employee at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). Her primary environmental interests are waste reduction and climate mitigation. Cassie graduated from Illinois State University with a B.S. in Environmental Health and a B.M. in flute performance. As a student, she served as president of the Student Environmental Action Coalition, where they successfully pushed for recycling accessibility for students living off campus. Before starting with the IEPA, she worked to promote renewable energy and climate change mitigation in the Chicagoland area. In 2019, she became president of Sustainable Springfield, Inc. (SSI). 

Pastor John is new to the Springfield area and pastor at Third Presbyterian Church (TPC). He comes from St. Louis, Missouri. Pastor John, or PJ as he likes to be called, holds a B.A. in Political Science, a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry. He has been in the ministry for 24 years. Not only has be served as a pastor, but he has also been a professor at both the University of Phoenix and Lindenwood University. He is a published author, having written and published a book titled, The Verse After the Verse. PJ is married to Rev. Jackie Havis-Shear and together they have a blended family of six children and six grandchildren. He enjoys preaching, teaching, and is an avid golfer. 

Michelle is a former resident of Inner City Mission. She is the first worker to take part in the CRM Workforce Development Training Program which started in October 2020. She currently works as the CRM's Drop Off Coordinator. She was born and raised in Michigan until the age of 18. In 2019 she was beaten by her live in boyfriend with a 1x4 board - leaving her with a severe head wound, broken nose, and other scars. It took 4 days to get away from her abuser but he was eventually arrested on assault and Michelle was sent to a homeless shelter where she went through an outpatient program for alcohol. Within an 11 month timeframe she went from overflow to Contact Ministries, then to Sojourn Shelter for battered women, and then to Inner City Mission where she completed parenting classes, received all her state and federal ID cards, and began work related programming, including work at the CRM. Michelle has since moved into her own place, gets to see her toddler on a weekly basis, has two part-time jobs, and has remained sober for over a year. "All that I have gone through this past year has helped me grow to love myself and be proud of who I have become." 

Jennifer is the newest addition to the CRM- starting in February 2021. She is currently a resident at Inner City Mission where she works 2 part-time jobs. She has lived in Springfield all her life and has four wonderful children. Over the years, Jennifer had been apart of several abusive relationships which turned her to drugs and alcohol. Due to her drug addiction, her children were sent to live with Jennifer's parents in Kansas City, Kansas. While Jennifer hopes to one day be stable enough to get her children back,  she continues to be able to see her children while focusing on personal growth and self healing. She has been sober for six years and has learned to love herself more and to put what cannot be controlled into the hands of a stronger power.