Meet Our Staff
The UP™staff is diverse on many levels, bringing a unique mix of skills and talents. All staff members have the same priority—the kids. Whether it is building a new bathroom, cooking a meal, tutoring, mentoring, or raking leaves, it is all done to help a kid become self-reliant.
Sherry Rahl, Up™ Mentor, Executive Director of Kokomo Urban Outreach (November 2022)
Sherry has been a non-profit leader for the last 10 years. Sherry has worked with and advocated for those that are not able to advocate for themselves. She is experienced in recovery services, mental health, and the many resources here in Kokomo, Howard County. She has won many awards such as the Fast Start Award and Community Impact Award. She truly enjoys giving a hand up to those around her.
Kareen Dunn, Up™ Mentor, Program Director and Co-Founder of MiniUP™ (February 2017)
Kareen started in the Up™ program as a volunteer. Kareen basically grew up on the "streets." He understands the culture that most of the young people in the program live in. Kareen is tough with a big heart. As the Program Director, Kareen oversees the UP™ and MiniUP™ programs and staff. He also interacts with students in the schools across the community and recruits kids for the program. Kareen is the co-writer of the G.R.I.N.D. Resiliency program and is an ambassador for the UP™ Program by speaking in churches and to civic groups.
Ken Schweter, Up™ Mentor, Executive Assistant and Maintenance (June 2020)
Pastor Ken is the Pastor of Northside Village Church. Ken handles all of the finances and keeps track of all data (registration, attendance, etc). Ken brings a much-needed skill set to the UP™ program--construction, electrician, and auto mechanics. He teaches young people how to build, wire, paint, etc. and will lead the winter woodshop program. He has been instrumental in the remodeling of the UP™ building.
Deanna Ancil, Up™ Mentor, Director of Operations , (October 2009)
Deanna has worked as the director of marketing with the American Cancer Society as well as the Girl Scouts. Deanna volunteered for one year with the Outreach before she brought her non-profit experience to the Outreach. Along with leading the Makerspace and tutoring, Deanna does administrative tasks that support the staff and the students in the program.
Tina Wiggins, Up™ Mentor, Safety Specialist (March 2020)
Tina has volunteered at the Outreach for about three years. Tina is a mentor and crew to kids in the UP™ Program, she leads the mealtime during MiniUP™ and keeps the UP™ building clean.
Kirtus Hinton, Up™ Mentor
About 5 years ago I did 2 things that completely changed my life and that was joining the amazing UP program as just a kid and then joined the Boy Scouts. 5 years later I am a changed man who is a staff member here and am an Eagle Scout too.
Morgan Odom, UP™ Mentor, Administrative Assistant
Morgan is passionate about community outreach. She was introduced to KUO as a volunteer in the fall of 2023. She majors in Human Services with a concentration in addiction studies. she is a woman of long-term recovery and is honored to serve the outreach and our community in any capacity.
Brad Williams, Up™ Mentor, Program Directors Assistant
Brad is extremely excited to be a part of the KUO team. He loves learning from the kids as much as he loves to teach them. Brad is especially excited to work outside with the kids and teach them his work ethic. Brad is married with two kids and in his spare time runs a dog breeding business called Bando Bullies with Kareen Dunn.
Michael Ewing, Up™ Mentor, Social Media Expert
Michael is a mentor who started as an intern for us through WorkOne. He is a bright, loving, and hard working young man. Besides being a mentor, he is also our Social Media Marketer. Michael is also part of the team that won our 2024 Up™ basketball competition.
Jeff Newton, Founder
Jeff Newton founded Kokomo Urban Outreach (KUO) in November 2005 and became a 501(c)3 in January 2006. Jeff is a retired United Methodist pastor who has served churches in Northern Indiana for over 38 years. He received the Mayor of Kokomo’s Faith in Action Award, The Prevent Child Abuse, Imagine Award, and the Human Rights Award from the United Nations Office for leadership in social activism and human development. KUO was inducted into the Howard County Hall of Legends and has received the Kokomo Chamber of Conference Greatest Impact Award for a nonprofit twice. Jeff leads workshops on the “Missional Church” and “How to Work with the Materially Poor .”Jeff has written two books, Life on The Porch and Bragging About God.
Jeff grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, and graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Youth Development. (1978). He has a Master of Divinity Degree from Christian Theological Seminary (1988). Jeff has been married to Christine for 45 years, and they have three adult sons and seven grandchildren. Hundreds of life stories have been changed through his work in the churches and in the Outreach.