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.
Jeff Newton, Director of Mission and Vision
Jeff founded Kokomo Urban Outreach in 2006. He is a business owner, a podcaster, an author, and a retired United Methodist pastor.
His work in social activism and human development has earned 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. Mayor Moore presented him the Key to the City in 2024. Under his leadership, KUO has been inducted into the Howard County Hall of Legends and has twice won the Kokomo Chamber of Commerce Greatest Impact Award for a nonprofit.
Jeff leads workshops on the Missional Church and on working with the materially poor. He is the author of four books: Life on the Porch, Bragging About God, The Kid with the Yellow Crocs, The Talking Toolbox, which he co-authored, and The Stick in the Spokes, September 2026.
A Kokomo native, Jeff holds a degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Youth Development from the University of Indianapolis and a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary. He and Christine have been married 45 years and have three adult sons and seven grandchildren.
Kareen Dunn: Director of Programs and Impact (February 2017)
Kareen came to the UP™ Program as a volunteer. He grew up on the streets, which means he understands the world many of our kids go home to at the end of the night.
He runs both UP™ and MiniUP™, along with the staff and volunteers who make them work. He is in the schools most weeks, recruiting kids and checking on the ones already in the program. He co-wrote the G.R.I.N.D. Resiliency curriculum and speaks for the UP™ Program at churches and civic groups across Howard County.
Kareen is co-author of the children's book The Talking Toolbox, and contributed to The Kid with the Yellow Crocs.
Deanna Ancil, Director of Administration and Development (October 2009)
Deanna brings extensive non-profit experience to Outreach, having served as the Director of Marketing for both the American Cancer Society and the Girl Scouts. Her commitment to the community is evident in her year of volunteer service with Outreach prior to joining the staff.
She is the driving force behind Outreach's highly successful fundraising events.
In addition to her leadership roles, Deanna provides administrative support to both staff and students, ensuring the smooth operation of Outreach programs. Her email is deanna.ancil4@gmail.com.
Roxanne Kronk, Director of Finances and MiniUP™ (2026)
Roxanne’s journey with Kokomo Urban Outreach began in 2018 when she started volunteering in MiniUP™ after her cousin asked her to bring her son. What started as helping one child quickly became a calling — she showed up every week, built relationships, and even joined Gene Kostrewa for Huddle, learning firsthand what makes this program so special.
Roxanne brings a deep love for kids, families, and community to this role, along with 16 years of experience as an American Family Insurance agency owner. She’s been married for 22 years, has called Indiana home since 2004, and has a heart for service that shines through everything she does.
Ken Schweter — Director of Life Skills and Technology (June 2020)
Ken leads hands-on programs at Kokomo Urban Outreach that teach practical skills for life and work. Through UP™, he runs projects in robotics, electronics, fabrication, construction, and problem-solving so students learn by doing. He also manages program systems—tracking participation, improving daily operations, and measuring impact—and helped renovate and develop the UP™ facility. Outside the organization, Ken is pastor of Northside Village Church of the Nazarene and is dedicated to helping youth build confidence, character, and readiness for the future.
Tina Wiggins, Director of Facilities and Kitchen Operations (March 2020)
Tina has deep experience with UP youth and brings a compassionate, steady presence to the program. Respected for her dedication, she volunteered at Outreach for three years before joining the staff full-time in 2020. As an UP mentor and crew member, she leads Mini-UP mealtimes, helps maintain a clean and welcoming building, and provides reliable, consistent support and encouragement to the children.
Kurtis Hinton, Director of Transportation and Faith Initiatives (2022)
Kurtis joined the UP Program at twelve. After experiencing its impact, he became a mentor and crew leader in 2022 to give back. He lives the UP Creed—Respectful, Responsible, Reliable, Ready—and models it for younger members. An Eagle Scout training to be an EMT, Kurtis is committed to growth and service and is a valued member of the team.
Morgan Vetter, Director of Grants and Volunteerism (December 2023)
Morgan joined KUO as a volunteer in fall 2023, driven by a strong passion for community outreach. She has a Human Services degree from Ivy Tech with a focus on addiction studies. Morgan works with volunteers, secures grants, and helps run the UP Creations microbusiness. A woman in long-term recovery, she brings lived experience to her work. She is a devoted mother to twins Lennox and Baron, and Torrin.
Heidi Pruitt, Director of Storytelling and Community Engagement (2025)
Heidi is a proud graduate of Indiana University Kokomo, where she earned her degree in Communications. Before jumping into a full-time staff role, she spent several years volunteering right here at Kokomo Urban Outreach. Seeing our programs in action firsthand shaped her core belief: a simple smile or a kind word can completely change the direction of a child's day.
Today, Heidi acts as the voice of our mission—sharing the real victories, hard work, and milestones of our UP™ youth with the Kokomo community.
When she’s off the clock, Heidi is usually:
Fishing: Heading out to the water for a quiet, relaxing day.
Baking: Whipping up new sweet treats and recipes in the kitchen.
With family: Creating memories with her loved ones and her two dogs.
Andrew Schweter, UP™ Mentor and Crew Leader
Andrew came up through the UP™ Program and graduated in February 2024 after six years. He stayed on as a crew leader, and that history is what makes him effective. He knows the program from the inside, so he can tell a younger kid what the next stage actually asks of them.
As a crew leader, Andrew sets the pace on work crews, models the four Rs for students who are watching him more closely than he probably realizes, and helps newer participants find their footing. Outside the program, he is a dog person, thanks to Aurora.
Gabby Nichols - Director of Next UP™ and Youth Services
Gabby serves as the Director of Next UP and Youth Services at Kokomo Urban Outreach, playing a vital role in shaping the growth, character development, and daily experience of local youth. From early childhood foundations to advanced student leadership, she works to create an environment where every young person feels valued, accountable, and capable of success.
In her dual focus on youth mentorship and program logistics, Gabby oversees the core operational ecosystem of KUO’s student offerings. She works directly with parents to navigate the registration process, manages student application data, reviews home progress reports, and leads daily announcements during Huddle. In the classroom, she actively shapes character education—teaching beginner Mini UP™ students on Thursdays, assisting on Tuesdays, and directing the UP Next program.
Gabby also coordinates student work schedules and skill-building opportunities across KUO initiatives, including UP Creations, Goodwill placements, Mini UP mentorship, and the A-Team. By organizing monthly small groups, tracking student point systems, and maintaining daily contact with families, Gabby ensures that every youth has a clear, structured pathway to learn responsibility, earn rewards, and walk the Way of Champions.
Sofie Gagle -Crew Leader
From helping in the kitchen and transporting students to Hand UP™ at Goodwill each week, to organizing, sorting, cleaning, and mentoring, Sofie is a constant source of support for both our kids and our team.
Her dedication, reliability, and genuine care for our students make a daily difference. We’re grateful for the many ways she steps in wherever she’s needed, and we’re excited to have her serving as a Crew Leader at the UP™ Program, helping guide and support our youth as they learn, work, and grow.