We are Cares

Cares is community based organization operating in Southwest Michigan with offices in Benton Harbor and Kalamazoo. We were established in 1985 by a group of volunteers looking to make a difference. We started by offering peer support to people living with HIV.

We’ve stood the test of time to become the only community-based non-profit AIDS organization that serves 10 counties in Southwest Michigan. Cares is the second largest HIV/AIDS service provider in the state and is well-respected by state departments and other non-profits.

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Our History

1981

June 5, 1981. The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) publishes an article in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on the recent infections of individuals with what would be later discovered to be HIV and AIDS.

1985

A group of volunteers established C.A.R.E.S. (Community AIDS Resource & Education Services) a living-room rotary phone line in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The mission of C.A.R.E.S. at the time was to simply crowdsource to share healthcare information and organize services for those who were sick and dying.

1990s

The early 1990s were a time of tremendous change in response to the growing AIDS epidemic. Our Client Care program, dedicated to assisting people with HIV in obtaining medical care, housing, etc., doubled in size within one year and the buddy and support group programs grew to 75 volunteers.

1991

A new HIV education project had begun and a speakers’ bureau was organized that reached 1,600 people in 1991 alone. Risk reduction efforts involved sessions with over 700 people each year. Educational sessions were held with over 1,000 human service professionals to promote understanding and optimal care for people living with HIV.

2002

CARES expanded services by opening a location in Benton Harbor to provide services in lower Michigan assuring continued services for those with HIV in Berrien County. This transition to a truly regional operation with multiple office locations expanded the HIV care and prevention programs.

2004

Since 2004, CARES has been the only community-based AIDS service organization serving Kalamazoo County and Southwest Michigan; we are the second largest HIV service provider in the state of Michigan.

2022

CARES rebrands as Cares Sexual Wellness Services to encompass all added health and wellness services over the years. Cares also begins mailing free at-home, self-administered STI testing kits to Michigan residents.

Board of Directors

 

President, Amy Campbell

Vice-President, Andrew Chaponda

Treasurer, Warren Washington

Secretary, John Austin

Director, Orville Richardson

Director, David Gysin

Director, Katie Eaton

Director, Dr. Chris Buckley–Vet

Director, Katie Timber

Director, Kelly Doyle

View Our Staff!

View allBenton Harbor StaffKalamazoo StaffManagement Team
Sean Jennings

sjennings@caresswm.org

I love laughter and the feeling that I can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

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Vanessa Stadel

Nurse Practitioner

vstadel@caresswm.org

I think of myself as a quiet, introverted, optimistic, lifelong learner, book enthusiast, gardener (though my plants may tell a different story), and lover of 80s music.

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Christine Babcock

Medical Case Manager

cbabcock@caresswm.org

I’m a creative, queer human who values collaboration, community, and equity. I love animals, crafts, and coffee.

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Raymond Falkiewicz

HIV/STI Prevention Specialist

rfalkiewicz@caresswm.org

I’m a sexual healthcare enthusiast who also enjoys reading, drawing, and bird-watching.

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Danielle Herwig

Marketing & Fundraising Specialist

dherwig@caresswm.org

I’m an animal-loving, outdoor-romping girl who loves to travel and try new things.

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Leonel Aguilar

HIV/STI Prevention Specialist

laguilar@caresswm.org

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Braiden McEachern: Office Coordinator at Cares
Braiden McEachern

Office Coordinator

bmceachern@caresswm.org

I’m a lifelong learner, musician, and loving cat owner.

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JW_7.23
Jason Wilkinson

Director of Operations

jwilkinson@caresswm.org

I’m a tech enthusiast and a foodie.

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Shaea Leflore-Swindle

Housing & Administration Specialist

sleflore@caresswm.org

I’m a feisty, family-oriented jack of all trades who embodies resilience.

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Tricia Kelly

HIV/STI Prevention Program Manager

tkelly@caresswm.org

I’m a kind, loving, understanding person with a passion for public health!

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Aidan Saggers: Medical Case Manager at Cares
Aidan Saggers

Medical Case Manager

asaggers@caresswm.org

I’m a world traveler and adventure seeker who enjoys escape rooms, puzzles, and good food.

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Love Chambers: Tobacco Cessation Specialist at Cares
Love Chambers

Tobacco Cessation Specialist

lchambers@caresswm.org

Connecting with people is one of my favorite parts of being a human—I also love coffee, dogs, chocolate, sunshine, glitter, and flowers.

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Kaitlin Martin

Lead Case Manager & Trainer

kmartin@caresswm.org

I am deeply passionate about social justice, love the outdoors, and the arts.

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Debbie ResRouches: Early Intervention Specialist
Debbie DesRoches

Non-Medical Case Manager

ddesroches@caresswm.org

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Colleen Kelly, HIV/STI Prevention Specialist at Cares
Colleen Kelly

Medical Case Manager

ckelly@caresswm.org

I like animals and plants.

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Diane Williams-Frazier: Medical Case Manager at Cares
Diane Williams-Frazier

Medical Case Manager

dwilliams@caresswm.org

I have a zest to serve others! I love when the outcome brings happiness!

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Vera Holmes: Medical Case Manager at Cares
Vera Holmes

Medical Case Manager

vholmes@caresswm.org

I’m a resilient, no-nonsense, caring, family-oriented person.

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Pam Hatcher: Non-Medical Case Manager at Cares
Pam Hatcher

Non-Medical Case Manager

phatcher@caresswm.org

I am a self-advocate.

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Nick Foster, Non-Medical Case Manager at Cares
Nick Foster

Non-Medical Case Manager

nfoster@caresswm.org

I’m a glass-half-full kind of person.

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Beth Haire_Lewis: Quality Mgmt. & Training Team Lead
Beth Haire-Lewis

Benton Harbor Care Program Manager

blewis@caresswm.org

I’m fun, lovable, brave, survivor with a love for the soul of music and community.

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Jose Calderon, Director of Prevention at Cares
Jose Calderon

Director of Prevention

jcalderon@caresswm.org

I’m an extraverted introvert with a kind soul.

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Keegan Zoll, LMSW

Director of Case Management

kzoll@caresswm.org

I’m a dog and chicken mom who loves spending time in nature.

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Pat Clark

Director of Housing

pclark@caresswm.org

I’ve worked at Cares since 2004 in every department. I enjoy the challenges of Housing. I enjoy being a gramma, thrifting, gardening, friends and family

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Kelly Doyle - Chief Executive Officer
Kelly Doyle

Chief Executive Officer

kdoyle@caresswm.org

I’m a Southside Irish community fighter who loves being a beagle mom and spending time with friends, reading about history, and going to museums.

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