About Us

Staff Members

Staff Members

Bonnie Billups, Jr.

Bonnie Billups, Jr.

Executive Director

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Bonnie Billups, Jr. began his career in supportive services for families and youth at a young age.  He first became involved with Ann Arbor’s own Peace Neighborhood Center as a child enrolled in the agency’s Youth Programs back in the early 1970s.  Proving himself to be a reliable and mature young man, Bonnie was hired on as a Program Assistant at Peace in 1976.  He continued in that capacity through 1985, helping the agency expand and establish many long-standing services such as Peace’s Summer Day Camp program in 1982.  Bonnie left the agency in 1985 to travel to California and pursue a career in music.  While in the Los Angeles area, he continued to work in the youth development field as a Youth Lead Specialist at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.  

In 1991, he returned to Ann Arbor and Peace Neighborhood Center as the agency’s Program Director, a role he took on to great success for over 15 years.  In 2006, he took over for the retiring Rose Martin as Peace Neighborhood Center’s Executive Director and continues to lead Peace in its role as a pillar of the youth and family service nonprofit community in Washtenaw County.  Bonnie also has continued in his musical career as an instructor at Washtenaw Community College in the School of Music and Performing Arts.  Bonnie is a member of the Ann Arbor Public Schools Blue Ribbon Committee where he advises the school district on decisions and strategies to provide effective service to at-risk youth.  He is also a founding member of the Washtenaw Alliance for Children and Youth, serving on its Steering Committee and helping to define that collaborative’s role in establishing the best possible safety net for young people in Washtenaw County along with the other member youth development agencies. 

Bonnie is proud to have served the youth and families of Washtenaw County for almost 40 years and to lead Peace Neighborhood Center into its fifth decade of its longstanding mission to break the cycle of poverty in our community.

MaryAnn Johnson, LMSW

MaryAnn Johnson, LMSW

Wellness Program Co-Director & Youth Programs Operations

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MaryAnn has been a part of the Peace Neighborhood family since 2010. While in college at the University of Michigan, MaryAnn volunteered as a tutor and program assistant. Since then, MaryAnn has held different roles at Peace, including coordinating Ninth Grade Academy, volunteers, and children services. In 2018, MaryAnn earned her Master’s degree in Social Work and returned to Peace as Youth Programs Director.

MaryAnn, her husband, Matt, and their black lab, Ruby, love exploring the Westside of Ann Arbor.

Raven Vawters

Raven Vawters

Children Services Director

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Raven became a part of the Peace Family in 2008 as a camper in Leadership Development Camp. While at Skyline High School, she worked at Peace in a variety of roles from working in the kitchen to leading groups. Raven attended Cornell College and in 2017 graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology. She returned to Ann Arbor and worked full time as a Behavior Technician in an ABA clinic and volunteered as a tutor in programs. In February 2018, Raven took on the role as Children Services Coordinator, which includes coordination after school programs and Summer Day Camp for elementary aged youth.

When not at Peace, Raven enjoys being with her friends and family.

Bernice Hardman, LMSW

Bernice Hardman, LMSW

Wellness Program Co-Director & Social Work Intern Supervisor

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Bernice Hardman started at Peace in 2008 as an Intern. Since then, Bernice has held different roles at Peace, including her current role as Wellness Center, Co-Director & Family Enrichment/Intern Field Instructor.

According to Bernice, “Peace allows me to practice social work the way I envision it. a safe space for individuals and families to show up as their authentic selves and grow at their own pace, with a supportive community encouraging while holding them accountable along the journey.” Bernice holds a B.A, and MSW from the University of Michigan. She enjoys reading and/or watching documentaries on History, Pop Culture, and Social Relations in her free time.

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Suzanne (Sue) Upton

Suzanne (Sue) Upton

Director of Major Gifts & Foundations

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Sue joined Peace Neighborhood Center in 2020 to help plan and lead Peace’s special 50th Campaign. She brings over 15 years experience in Development and Communications to her current role. Prior to joining Peace, Sue served in both development and communications roles at UMS, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, and Ozone House. She loves connecting with donors and believes deeply in the power of supporting local nonprofits that change people’s lives and strengthen local communities. She first learned about Peace’s impact through her previous work at the Community Foundation, and has been a member of the Peace family for a number of years as a long-time donor.

Sue holds a BA in Economics, and an MBA from the University of Michigan. She and her husband Joe have raised three children in Ann Arbor, and love the sense of community and generosity that’s long been a part of Ann Arbor’s DNA.

Kevin Lill

Kevin Lill

Director of Annual Giving & Communications

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Kevin Lill is a nonprofit fund development professional with two decades of experience creating, executing and successfully meeting the goals of fundraising campaigns for nonprofits in the Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit areas. Kevin was the Director of Development at Peace Neighborhood Center from 2007 through 2020 prior to working for two other agencies in  Detroit and Ann Arbor.  He is delighted to be back where his heart resides at Peace Neighborhood in a new capacity. Recently married to his wife Dawn, Kevin spends most of his time continuing to raise his two children in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.

 

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Kelly Martin, BSW

Kelly Martin, BSW

Case Manager Baker Commons

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Bio coming soon.

Ella Olive

Ella Olive

Office Manager & Bookkeeper

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Ella has been a mainstay at Peace for over 24 years. She excels at precise bookkeeping and maintaining a smooth and organized office atmosphere. She loves, “the family environment and envisions that Peace families always do better than the generation before them.” She thanks God for her husband and family. Ella studied at Washtenaw Community College.
Cornelius Olive

Cornelius Olive

Building and Ground Maintenance Supervisor

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Words of Wisdom from Cornelius:

1. It’s not what you say but what you do that defines you.

2. The secret of good health is to live fully in the now

3. Let it go and it will be your forever

4. No one can walk your path for you

5. Happiness never decreases by being shared

6. Be kind to ALL

7. Don’t believe everything you are told to believe

Anabel Cruz, BSW

Anabel Cruz, BSW

Maple Meadows Center Programs Coordinator

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Anabel Cruz was first enrolled at Peace when she was five years old. She came to programs every year during Summer Day Camp until high school. Anabel earned her BSW from Eastern Michigan University after having received her Associate’s at Washtenaw Community College. Before working at Peace, Anabel was a Discovery Preschool Teacher. She has a passion for working with children and is proud to be a part of an organization that is able to provide hope for individuals, families, and, communities.

NaTiyah Hugan

NaTiyah Hugan

West Arbor Center Programs Coordinator

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NaTiyah became part of the Peace family as an elementary school student enrolled in Peace programs. As a teen she joined the staff becoming a member of the Summer Day Camp team. After attending Washtenaw Community College for two years she became a Program Assistant and currently works as the West Arbor Programs Coordinator. She loves “the great staff and environment and watching the kids grow up.” Currently she is transferring from Washtenaw Community College to Eastern Michigan University. Her motto is: “If you light a lamp for someone else it will also brighten your future”- Buddha

America Vicente

America Vicente

REACH Program Manager

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America joined the Peace Family as an intern in the Winter term of 2022. She has a passion for youth empowerment and creating inclusive spaces that promote social-emotional learning and wellness for youth and their families. She has experience working with youth of all ages, from young fives to adolescents, but elementary-aged youth are her favorite age group. 

America holds a MSW from the University of Michigan, B.S. in Psychology from Michigan State University, and is working towards her LMSW. She enjoys reading, spending quality time with family and friends, and finding new arts and crafts projects in her free time. 

Khalil Madoula-Bey

Khalil Madoula-Bey

Middle School Programs Manager

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Khalil became a part of the Peace Family in 2007 when he was in 7th grade. While at Skyline High School, he worked at Peace in a variety of roles from working in the kitchen to leading groups. After graduating high school, he has attended Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College. Khalil loves to give back to the community and enjoys being a positive role model in the community. When not at Peace Khalil enjoys meditation and spending quality time with his daughter.

Isley Coleman

Isley Coleman

Middle School Programs Manager

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Isley is driven by helping others and meeting the needs of her community. From the young age of 10 years old, she was heavily involved in volunteering her time to support her community in Ypsilanti. Isley’s natural affinity to lend a helping hand to others allowed her passion for youth advocacy to blossom. She is dedicated to developing her community through youth mentorship and enrichment. For over five years she has empowered youth to positively express themselves through mindfulness practices and creativity. She has worked for Girls Group, the YMCA, Bright Futures, Washtenaw County Park & Recreation Commission and Washtenaw International High School & Middle Academy in order to help youth lead more resilient lives. Isley is currently building on her skills to create learning materials focused on youth programs and organizations as an instructional design & technology student at Wayne State University. With her knowledge on social emotional learning, Isley aims to create spaces that promote growth and wellness for young minds. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, having quality time with family and friends, creating art and spending time out in nature.

Dwight Johnson

Dwight Johnson

High School Programs Specialist

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Dwight Johnson started his journey at Peace over 12 years ago as a volunteer. The combination of challenge and reward, a deep sense of loyalty, belief in and gratitude towards Bonnie Billups and the desire to be a part of something bigger than himself led him to a paid role at Peace.He hopes that Peace families feel supported and loved. That they know they are not alone and have a system in place with Peace.

Dwight enjoys producing and creating music, painting, golfing, and spending time with his family and dog, and holds an Associates Degree from Eastern Michigan University.

Elanda Curry, BSW

Elanda Curry, BSW

Case Manager

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Bio coming soon.

College & Career Prep Coordinator

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John Ulmer

John Ulmer

Transportation

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Bio coming soon.

Dawn Dameron

Dawn Dameron

Kitchen Manager

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Bio coming soon.

Keira Overstreet

Keira Overstreet

Kitchen Assistant

Keira

Jeremiah Young

Jeremiah Young

Data Base & I.T. Specialist

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Jeremiah Young has had many roles at Peace including: Volunteer, Drumline Asst., and Programs Asst. Since 2019, he has served in an I.T./Database role. His role not only includes maintaining Peace computers and databases but also exposing Peace youths to technical and digital skills and mentorship. He enjoys the wide variety of personalities displayed by the youth and makes it a practice to engage with everybody as there are gems everywhere just waiting to be noticed and accepted. .