Executive Director

Tasha joined the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) in June of 2009. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director, providing oversight and leadership to all of HAND’s programs and services as well as serving as an advocate to the area’s homeless population.

Previously, Tasha served as HAND’s Program Coordinator. In this role, she was responsible for coordinating nearly $25 million annually in funding applications from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) for homeless programming in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park.

Prior to joining HAND, Tasha served as a Program Manager for the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH). At CSH, Tasha provided technical assistance and led workshops and trainings on developing, financing, and operating permanent supportive housing for homeless populations. Prior to CSH, Tasha was employed as an Assistant Project Manager with Skid Row Housing Trust, where she worked to develop permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals in Los Angeles’ Skid Row community.

Tasha has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, California.

As a native Detroiter and young professional, Anita fell in love with helping others. Anita’s early career as a public servant at Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services opened her eyes to the needs of others and instilled in her a passion to advocate for the marginalized, victimized, and abused. Anita’s determination to help others is evidence through her educational and professional training choices, including her sociology studies at the University of Michigan and Oakland County Community College.

In her current role as Administrative Assistant at the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND), Anita works diligently to make a difference in the lives of the homeless. As a survivor of domestic violence and advocate for victims and survivors, Anita speaks publicly to inform the public and authorities of the dangers of intimate partner violence and prevention. She also mentors women released from prison to assist them matriculate back into society and catch up with technology and systemic changes made in the 21st Century.

Kaitie joined the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) team in 2019 as the Continuum of Care (CoC) Coordinator. In this role, she helps to coordinate the entire CoC body for Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. She works closely with the CoC board, committees, over 30 member agencies, the community, and other stakeholders to advance federal, state, and local initiatives to end homelessness.

Personal life experiences drew Kaitie to this work. Beginning her career in direct service, she worked in a variety of settings – as a Therapeutic Assistant at a residential treatment facility for women with co-occurring substance dependence and mental health; as a pre-school teaching assistant and tutor; and as a case manager for children with mental and intellectual disabilities. Through this early work, she became increasingly aware of large-scale, systems-level issues that were deeply impacting the people she served. She realized that she didn’t want to keep working to help individuals navigate unjust systems, but instead wanted reform systems to make them more just for everyone. This inspired her to receive her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Michigan with a concentration in Social Policy and Evaluation.

Kaitie is passionate about large scale change that is directly informed by the voices of those most impacted. She values collaboration, shared vision, deep thinking, collective problem solving, and challenging the status-quo. She is committed to equity and justice through the pursuit of systems-level reform.

Tamara rejoined HAND in 2024 after a brief period of working for Rocket Mortgage. Prior to her role as CoC Manager in 2021, she was a Vaccine Coordinator during the 2020-2021 pandemic.

Tamara has extensive experience in various areas of homeless services, beginning her career at The Salvation Army, where she served as an Administrative Assistant at the Denby Center for Women and Children. It was at the Denby Center where her curiosity of homeless services grew, and she immersed herself in committee work, billing coordination, and HMIS data entry. She has always had a heart to serve others and felt that there was more to be done to drive awareness to the challenges in service delivery.

Tamara moved on to an Executive Assistant role, a Billing Specialist position, and ended her 9-year tenure at The Salvation Army as Regional Manager for Emergency Shelter Program. Her areas of service include Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Port Huron, Saginaw, and other counties in Michigan. As the Regional Manager, she was able to travel and learn of homeless service delivery in urban, suburban and rural areas. She was responsible for conducting annual site inspections, grants management, billing, and ensuring compliance of shelter operations according to HUD regulations. In her role, she assisted the ESP team with research concerning the imbalanced case manager to client ratios across regions at the time. As shelter agencies in Michigan came together to request additional State funding, she presented an educational piece in Lansing on case management to client ratios. The testimonies and advocation of the shelter providers in addition to the educational presentation were helpful information to the assigned Congressional committee, who voted for an increase in funding.

Afterwards, Tamara took on a position at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, where she served as Director of Quality Control and then Director of Programs prior to her departure. Here she oversaw grant management as well as HUD and SAMHSA compliance for Permanent Supportive Housing, Transitional Housing and Substance Abuse Treatment services.

Tamara currently holds a Bachelor of Science of Business Administration degree from the University of Detroit-Mercy and is pursuing her MBA at Wayne State University. She is a proud veteran, having served in the US Army.

Torrey is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. In her early life, her motivation started as a teenager, where she volunteered to tutor children in her neighborhood and community center. As a young adult, she accepted a full academic scholarship to Eastern Michigan University (EMU), where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Health Administration. During her time at EMU, she also worked at the local hospital as a licensed Pharmacy Technician.

Torrey is currently pursuing a master's degree in Public Health. She worked for Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) as an intern for two consecutive terms and has now transitioned to the Capacity Building and Training Manager. In this role, Torrey handles the supervision and program placement of interns for the Continuum of Care (CoC) as well as any department within HAND that needs additional support. She works to expand the pipeline of agencies eligible to apply for CoC and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding, provide onboarding support for new agencies, staff members and programs, as well as provide and/or coordinate trainings across the CoC.

With her personal life experiences and a passion to help others, Torrey works hard to make sure she is an effective advocate for those experiencing homelessness and a leader to those who may need guidance in any situation.

Amanda has been with the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) since 2007. In late 2011, Amanda transitioned into the Performance Management Analyst role. In this role, Amanda focuses on developing and implementing a systems-wide performance management process, aligning CoC funding with program performance, monitoring programs funded through the Continuum of Care process, and developing reports on data on performance.

Before entering the field of homelessness, Amanda worked for Kalamazoo Community Mental Health, providing community-based case management services for adults with severe and persistent mental illness.

Amanda has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan and a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a concentration in Community Practice and Social Action from Wayne State University in Detroit. Amanda is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and is also a graduate of Leadership Detroit XXXII.

Chelsea was born and raised in Detroit. At an early age, she developed a passion for helping others by volunteering at churches and schools. She was taught the importance of giving and supporting others, which led her to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Wayne State University (WSU). Chelsea also has an educational background in psychology and has experience in working with children with autism. She aspires to be an advocate for those who feel they are not being heard and to ensure that all the necessary tools and resources are available for individuals or groups to obtain a better quality of life.

Chelsea joined Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) as a Performance Management Analyst intern and proceeded to work for the company as a Program Coordinator. In this role, she provides clerical and all-purpose support to the Continuum of Care (CoC) program staff. She also assists with the development of policies, procedures, and will provide overall support for the team.

Overall, Chelsea’s goal is to create policies that will guarantee support for individuals and groups who are less fortunate.Description text goes here

Meredith joined the HAND team in March of 2023 as the Youth Homelessness Coordinator. In this role, she works closely with the CoC team to prioritize efforts related to addressing youth homelessness. This work includes managing newly funded projects as a part of the National Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program that centers and uplifts youth voices and leadership. She thinks we can all agree that no young person should have to experience homelessness and that as a society, we have a moral imperative to do something.

Before entering the housing space, Meredith worked to address sexual violence and exploitation, leading Avalon Healing Center’s human trafficking team. In that role, she worked directly with survivors to provide therapy and case management, and she worked with the broader community on education and prevention. Meredith has long been youth-focused in her work, starting as a camp counselor as a teen and, more recently, working to mentor and provide academic support to student-athletes at the University of Michigan.

A native of Chicago, Meredith completed her Bachelor’s in NYC and ultimately moved to Michigan to pursue her MSW at the University of Michigan. She is a Licensed Master’s Social Worker. Meredith and her cat, Kiki, currently call Detroit home. You might find her exploring the city by bike.

Kiana started working on the HMIS project in 2009 as the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (HPRP) Project Coordinator. She currently serves as one of the three System Administrators who provide technical and user support for Service Point software, including account set-up, system monitoring/testing, problem diagnosis and resolution. Kiana supports the quality, accessibility and functionality of HMIS for assigned agencies.

Previous to working for HAND, Kiana served as an Options Counseling Manager for the Detroit-Wayne County Long Term Care Connection initiative for Michigan’s Department of Community Health. Kiana trained, supervised and managed registered nurses and social workers who assisted seniors or adults with disabilities to access long term care services via Medicaid Waiver or other viable support services. The project used Bowman Systems Service Point as its database platform for tracking and referring clients as they navigated through various settings. Kiana served as the Detroit representative on the Core Functions workgroup that helped plan and operationalize this new statewide initiative as well as helped coordinate partnerships with DHS, MRS, Disability Network, 13 Nursing Facilities in Detroit proper as well as Henry Ford Hospital and the Detroit Medical Center.

Kiana has a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) with Minor in Economics from North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, NC, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. Kiana is a Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) in Clinical and Macro practice since 2004.

Denise is originally from Michigan and has worked in the non-profit human services field for over 10 years. She always had a passion for statistical information and helping people. Denise started out in the non-profit sector at the Macomb Homeless Coalition as an Administrative Assistant. From there, she transitioned into roles such as HMIS Supervisor, Director and Continuum of Care (CoC) Coordinator for the Macomb County, Michigan.

Denise has extensive knowledge and experience from working in multiple CoC jurisdictions. In Prince Georges County Maryland, she served as an HMIS Specialist. She also worked in the Church Falls/Fairfax County, Virginia CoC as the HMIS Liaison and Program Evaluation Manager. Now, back in Michigan, she is the HMIS Reports Administrator at the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND)

Working in the non-profit sector, specifically with data, played a huge part in Denise receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology.

Nona joined the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) HMIS team in 2021 as a HMIS System Administrator. In this role, she is responsible for the on-going development, maintenance, and support of HMIS, providing training and coaching to our users in the CoC and ensuring data quality.

Before joining in the nonprofit realm, Nona was a EFL teacher in South Korea where she taught English as a foreign language, grades K-6th for 3 years. She then joined Southwest Solutions CAM as a Data Entry Specialist; later became the BNL Coordinator. In this position Nona was responsible for managing the Chronic and Veteran By Name Lists for the Detroit CoC by tracking client progress toward housing, reporting data, and participating in leadership and policy-level planning.

Nona has a bachelor's degree in Scientific and Technical Communication from Bowling Green State University; Bowling Green, Ohio.

Shautoya was born and raised in Detroit. Growing up in urban environment, she aspired to make a difference within her community. Using her environment & personal experiences as motivation, she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Oakland University.

While pursuing her degree, she obtained an internship with Oakland County Friend of the Court as a Job Placement Coordinator. In this position, she assisted career searches for child support payees and residents in Oakland County.

After obtaining her degree, she familiarized herself in the fields of customer service and non profit organizations.

Shautoya joined Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) on contractual basis as a part time HMIS Data Support Clerk. She recently transitioned to the full time position of HMIS System Administrator for ESG Programs.

Zoey has always wanted to make the world a better place. As HAND’s dynamic and detail-oriented YHDP HMIS Data Clerk, she specializes in data entry and analysis. She assists and coordinates with HMIS system administrators, excels in running comprehensive reports, and collaborates closely with clients. Through her committee work, she provides valuable insights and strategic guidance.

Zoey has always been passionate about data entry, office administration, and helping others. After graduating from Ecorse High School in 2019, she completed a Girls Who Code course and earned her CENA Certification in 2022.

At HAND, Zoey ensures smooth operations for clients by focusing on efficiency and accuracy, handling data needs with precision and expertise. Through collaboration, advocacy, and innovative solutions, she strives to create a community where everyone has access to safe and stable housing. Zoey aspires to make a lasting impact and create a brighter future for those in need.

K’lyn joined the HAND team in August of 2023 as the Housing Resources Coordinator. In this role, she will manage the housing choice, project based, and Moving Up Vouchers.

After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Oakland University, K’lyn was introduced to the homeless population and mental health field while working at Team Wellness Center as a housing/employment specialist. In 2021, she began working for Southwest Solutions CAM where she started as an eligibility specialist, then transitioned into a Site Coordinator and lastly one of the Intake Supervisors. After overseeing the day-to-day access side of CAM, K’lyn joined HAND because she found interest in how the systems were prepared to help the community from a back-office standpoint. K’lyn knows not everyone has the same advantages and is driven to help eliminate those barriers of people who are disadvantaged.

Kevin Salter joined the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) CAM team in 2023 as a By Name List Coordinator. In this position, Kevin is responsible for managing the Chronic and Veteran By Name Lists for the Detroit CoC by tracking client progress toward housing, reporting data, and participating in leadership and policy-level planning.

Before joining the nonprofit space, Kevin thrived as a mortgage originator for Rocket Mortgage. Licensed in seventeen states, he expertly guided clients in realizing their housing aspirations. Kevin's journey then led him to Southwest Solutions CAM, where he specialized as an Information Specialist, focusing exclusively on the Chronic By Name List.

As the CAM Transition continued, Kevin gladly transitioned into overseeing the Veteran By Name List as well, eventually earning the distinguished role of CAM’s By Name List Coordinator. In this capacity, he skillfully managed both the Chronic and Veteran By-Name Lists, by tracking client progress toward housing, reporting data, and participating in leadership and policy-level planning.

Kevin's academic background includes a bachelor's degree in business administration with a Management concentration from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Remi Poole joined HAND in August 2023 as part of the CAM Transition Team. Currently in the role of the Housing Referral Coordinator, where she provides direct service within the CoC and serves as a liaison to community providers. Her day-to-day responsibilities rely on coordinated entry data and prioritization management, which connects chronically homeless individuals to transitional, permanent and rapid re-housing programs. 

Remi began her career in the Housing and Non-Profit sector in 2015. Her personal experiences led her to pursue her interest in working for the homeless and at-risk populations. Prior to HAND, Remi held positions with Southwest Counseling Solutions, State of New Jersey Subsidy Programs Division and South Miami Florida Homeless Coalition where she curated equitable resources that would help the community attain affordable housing and emergency services.

Remi holds Real Estate Licenses in Nevada and Michigan and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management, followed by a certificate in Human Services. She is committed to advancing policy solutions to actively end homelessness. This is driven by her passion to help those that are often overlooked and underserved. 

Outside of work, Remi enjoys Motherhood, traveling and event/interior design. 

Deloris is native Detroiter. Due to her having lived real-life experiences, she has been an advocate for Michigan communities for over 25 years and has worked in the non-profit arena for 30+ years, including the faith-based sector. Deloris joined the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) in 2020.

Deloris prides herself on excellence and how we can care for the most vulnerable with love, knowledge, and resources. Prior to coming to HAND, Deloris worked for The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) for 8 years, as a Program Coordinator, Case Manager and Program Manager. She was the liaison between Detroit Public Schools, Flint Public Schools, Pontiac Public Schools, Saginaw Public Schools, MDHHS, and THAW. She has extensive knowledge in utilities with the programs, Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP), Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG)-Phase I, Phase II, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Pathways to Potential Program (P2P) and the Impacting Health through Energy Assistance for Low Income Program (IHEAL). Deloris implemented and taught the Energy Efficiency Education Programs for clients and other non-profit agencies.

Deloris is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Community Development with a concentration in Public Administration and a minor in Psychology at Central Michigan University (CMU).