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MEET ALC’S STAFF

Please note that certain identifying details about some of our staff, such as last name or photo, have been redacted for their privacy due to the sensitive nature of our work as advocates. Our staff’s safety and comfort are paramount at ALC.

EXECUTIVE/ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Jenny Abbott, Executive Director

Jenny has been engaged in anti-violence work in various capacities since 1999. As an undergraduate at Willamette University, she majored in sociology and studied social construction of domestic violence and sexual assault. She went on to obtain a master’s degree in public health at Boston University, where she studied social-ecological models for violence prevention. Jenny then realized she preferred to work directly with people, not just study them, so she went to law school and studied to be a public interest attorney. She graduated from the New England Law | Boston with a juris doctor degree before moving out to Colorado in 2011.

Jenny has been with the Advocates of Lake County since October 2014 and has been the Executive Director since August 2015. She is very excited to lead an amazing team as they launch homelessness services programming in 2024.

Dawna Schneiter, Finance Director

Dawna joined the ALC team in Summer 2023 and brings years of government financial management experience to the table. She presides over the agency’s budgets, grant funds, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, audits and more to ensure finances are up to par and vital client services can continue.

Dawna was born and raised in Leadville, giving her first-hand knowledge of Lake County’s history and happenings. When she is not working, Dawna enjoys camping, hiking, motorcycling and snowmobiling. She competed in SnowCross competitions for many years, but really prefers her snowmobile outings with friends.

Kristen King, Operations Director

Kristen joined the ALC team in Fall 2023, bringing 15 years of experience in public health and human services including housing/homelessness, behavioral health, criminal justice, and trauma. She ensures that ALC internal operations run smoothly, addresses facility and equipment needs, and masterminds events like the 2024 Empowerment Express fundraiser.

When she’s not keeping the lights on across the Advocates’ three offices, Kristen works with clients in her integrative coaching and hypnosis practice, teaches fitness classes, and hangs out with her husband and their tween twins. She is also very into karaoke.

Emma Gadeski, Program Sustainability Manager

Emma moved to Leadville 2 years ago just days after graduating from college. She is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, so rural living was initially an adjustment. But she has loved all the outdoor recreation opportunities Lake County offers like skiing, biking, and hiking. Emma has a background in journalism and joined the ALC team in Summer 2023.

As Program Sustainability Manager, Emma sustains agency funding by finding and writing appropriate grant applications, reporting progress to funders, and maintaining donor relationships throughout the year. Outside of work, she enjoys skiing, mountain biking, hiking and listening to music — especially Taylor Swift.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS TEAM

Alex X, Community Programs Director

Alex came to Leadville and the Advocates of Lake County after a mandatory evacuation from Eastern Uganda following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Serving as the Community Programs Director, Alex heads community education, outreach, and events as well as the Lake County Violence Prevention Team (VPT). This team comprises more than 15 departments and agencies in the county, working to lower rates of violence through public health methods. Alex also heads both the Latinx Outreach and volunteer Promotores programs.

Coming to the close of the Violence Prevention Team’s fourth year, ALC is excited to bring more events, outreach, intervention, and opportunities to Lake County and its wonderful residents.

STREAM OF HOPE
Survivor Services Team

Lori Tully, Advocacy Director

Lori grew up in Illinois and graduated from Lewis University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal social justice. Her passion for helping victims of crime started in 2006, when she volunteered as a hospital advocate for a domestic violence/sexual assault program.

As Advocacy Director, Lori brings her diverse career experience, in both systems and community-based advocacy, to a team that promotes educating and empowering the community of Lake County. During a typical workday, Lori can be found assisting clients in crisis, supporting direct service staff, and managing the agency’s Stream of Hope budget.

Outside of work, Lori stays busy exercising her adorable dog Ziggy; spending quality time with her niece and nephews; and enjoying camping, volleyball, golf, and other outdoor activities.

Lindsey X, Services Manager

Lindsey, our Services Manager, has been with ALC for over 3 years in a variety of roles. As Services Manager, she helps survivors of violence navigate the civil legal system, oversees ALC’s cadre of part-time crisis-coverage employees, and ensures ALC’s survivor services run smoothly.

She is passionate about being a support for our clients and providing resources to promote autonomy, empowerment, and healing. When she’s not at ALC, you can find her enjoying our wonderful wilderness — rain, snow, or shine.

Patty Galaviz, Transitional Housing Coordinator

Patty joined ALC Fall 2023 and provides transitional housing services to survivors of violence by networking with potential landlords and assisting with short term rent and utility assistance. Patty is bilingual in Spanish/English. She has lived in Leadville since she was 6. She moved to Denver in 2019 to pursue higher education at the University of Colorado–Denver, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Public Health. After graduating, she became a Parent Support Partner and helped families avoid involvement with Child Protective Services (CPS). Outside of ALC, you will find Patty at the Ball Arena cheering on the Nuggets; participating in athletics such as volleyball, soccer, and basketball; and working out at the gym.

Patty se unió a ALC en el otoño de 2023 y brinda servicios de vivienda de transición a sobrevivientes de violencia al establecer contactos con posibles propietarios y ayudar con el alquiler a corto plazo y asistencia con utilidades. Patty es bilingüe, habla español e inglés. Ha vivido en Leadville desde que tenía 6 anos. Se mudó a Denver en 2019 para realizar estudios superiores en University of Colorado – Denver, donde obtuvo una Licenciatura en Psicología y una Licenciatura en Salud Publica. Después de graduarse, empezó a trabajar como Socia de Apoyo para Padres y ayudo a las familias a evitar involucrarse con CPS. Fuera de ALC, encontraras a Patty en el Ball Arena animando a los Nuggets, participando en deportes como voleibol, futbol, y baloncesto, y haciendo ejercicio en el gimnasio.

Lori Patton, Residential Services Coordinator

Lori is a Colorado native, coming from Pueblo originally and moved to Leadville 6 years ago. She has an associate’s degree as a Medical Assistant and worked in the medical field for 30 years. With many years of experience in the health care industry, she is well-versed in providing trauma-informed care during crisis.

Lori joined ALC in December 2023. She provides emergency housing to survivors fleeing from danger, ensures our emergency shelter is functional, and works with these clients to support their personal empowerment as they work through challenging times by assisting them in obtaining documents they may need, or figuring out what their next steps may be. Lori enjoys spending time with family, reading, music, and movies.

BRIDGE-LEADVILLE
Homelessness Services Team

Tim Best, Housing Director

A former professional concert pianist, college professor, and business owner, Tim moved to Leadville in 2016 to pursue his dream of living in the mountains. Tim leads ALC’s emerging homelessness services program, known as The Bridge-Leadville, and loves his role as an advocate for our many community members experiencing homelessness. He has many years of experience building community programs, most recently with Get Outdoors Leadville, where he was Out-of-School Programs Director and Camp Director for Rockies Rock. He also spent many years working with Leadville kiddos in the school district and for Project Dream.

Tim represents Ward 2 on Leadville City Council and spends his spare time romping around in the mountains and trying to master high-altitude baking.

Todd VanderWeit, Coordinated Entry Manager

Todd joined ALC’s Bridge-Leadville homelessness services program in April 2024. As the Bridge Coordinated Entry Manager, he works with clients experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness to connect them with resources, as well as oversees our Street Outreach team. He also collaborates with other service providers in Lake County to ensure services are streamlined and not duplicated.

Todd moved to Leadville 4 years ago from the Denver area, but was born and raised in the Midwest in both Ohio and Michigan. He also spent some time living in the Portland, Oregon, area. Todd graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with an undergraduate degree in criminal justice. Besides working in the criminal justice field, Todd has also worked in the sales, sporting goods retail and entertainment industries. He has also worked with Get Outdoors Leadville and Project Dream. Outside of work, Todd enjoys camping, fishing, hiking, kayaking, skiing, basketball, softball, baseball, soccer, football, and any other sport that he can be involved with.

Samantha Montes, Street Outreach Coordinator

Samantha joined the ALC team in May 2024, as the street outreach coordinator for ALC’s Bridge-Leadville homelessness services program. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. A Leadville local, Samantha also spent some time living in the Oak Grove, Kentucky, area. She is currently a student at Colorado Mountain College pursuing two bachelor’s degrees.

Besides working in the army as a cannon crew member, Samantha has also worked in at the Lake County schools as a substitute teacher, as well as with Get Outdoors Leadville and Project Dream. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys camping, fishing, hiking and most outdoor adventures.

Samantha se unió al programa Bridge de ALC el 20 de mayo de 2024 como coordinadora de divulgación. Ella es es bilingüe, habla español e inglés. Samantha vive en Leadville. También pasó algún tiempo viviendo en el área de Oak Grove, Kentucky. Samantha es actualmente una estudiante en la universidad de Colorado Mountain College persiguiendo dos licenciaturas. Además de su trabajo, Samantha disfruta, camper, pescar, excursionismo, y casi todas las aventuras de afuera.