STAFF

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Marjie  has worked in the field of women and children’s health her entire career. She received her Masters degree in Public Health from Columbia University, and her Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan.   

     Marjie directed the former Doula Teen Parent Program for over three years. After a two year hiatus, she returned to direct the revamped and renamed Generations Ahead program. Marjie recognizes and respects the challenging situations teen and young adults face, and loves helping them grow and develop into strong parents and fierce advocates for their children.   

     In the Grand Traverse area, Marjie has managed adolescent health clinics, directed a breastfeeding program, and conducted community health assessment work at the Grand Traverse County Health Department. Through Michigan State University, she has done research at Munson on nutrition and pregnancy. In addition, Marjie has taught at Grand Valley State University, including courses on Health Care and Women’s Studies.   

    In addition to her direct work in public health, Marjie also served on the TCAPS school board for six years, including two as president. Her earlier professional work was in New York City, working in International Women’s health overseeing research on international family planning programs.   

    Marjie and her husband, Roger Gerstle, have lived in Traverse City since 1994. They have three daughters and a well-loved dog. Marjie spends her downtime doing most anything outdoors: kayaking, biking to the farmer’s market, gardening, cross-country skiing, backpacking with her family, and traveling around the world. 

Alison grew up in northern Michigan. She received her Bachelors in Psychology and Social Work from Spring Arbor University and her Masters of Social Work from the University of Michigan. She recently returned home to Michigan after spending 12 years in Central New York. While there, Alison’s work was mostly home-based family therapy with adolescents and their parents to prevent the removal of the youth from their homes. Alison began as a therapist and spent the last several years as the supervisor of the program. In addition, she provided clinical supervision to therapists working with trauma survivors.   

     Over ten years ago, Alison became interested in Adventure Therapy. She was delighted to discover that experiential activities were not just for the challenge course, but could be brought right to her clients’ homes to make a profound impact on the engagement and process of the family work. Alison also became certified as a facilitator to work at two local challenge courses where she would bring families to do very intentional, and very fun, family therapy.     

    During the past few years, the impact of trauma on families and individuals became the central focus of Alison’s work. She incorporates a variety of methods to help people along their healing journey. Alison found, in working with families, the role of healthy attachment and attachment focused parenting was especially important to renewing and reconciling parent-child relationships. She applies this to her work with young parents to reinforce what they already know to build strong, positive attachment to their babies from the very beginning.    

     Alison loves to cook and bake, as well as do all sorts of crafts, especially stitching beaded jewelry. Whenever possible, Alison can be found outside with her husband, son, and two dogs, engaging in various activities like hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and running.  

Jen is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Ferris State University and her Master of Social Worker from the University of Michigan.  She has over 15 years’ experience working with children, families, and individuals as an agent of support and guidance. Jen has a passion for working with children and family in many different capacities. 

    Jen believes change can happen in a secure and trusting relationship. She finds it important to reflect on family relationships and family cultures to begin a healing journey. This has led her to focus on child and family therapy. Jen is currently working on her Infant Mental Health Endorsement with the state of Michigan and her certification in Theraplay. Jen is rostered in the state of Michigan in Child Parent Psychotherapy. She specializes in supporting those in the prenatal, postpartum, and early parenting. Jen has experience in providing therapy for those who experience anxiety, depression, trauma, perinatal mood disorders, attachment struggles, and emotional regulation.

    Jen loves to enjoy the outdoors! Jen likes to go hiking, camping, snowshoeing, and going to the beach.  She recently began doing small art projects and has found a lot of delight in creating. Jen is an avid animal lover and will show off pictures of animals she cares for whenever asked.  

Kaili is a fifth generation native to Traverse City. She attended college at Michigan State and Grand Valley, graduating with a degree in business from GVSU’s Seidman College of Business. She spent a decade in Grand Rapids operating a family business with her husband. After having children they built a home and relocated back to Traverse City. Kaili has spent the last few years raising her children.

   Kaili recently worked as an Office Specialist for the 86th District Court. She comes to Generations Ahead with a passion for helping people and an understanding of the difficulties many of our young families face without the support of an involved family. Searching for some community involvement and ready to get back to work, Kaili joined Generation’s Ahead as their Operations and Marketing Coordinator. She’s looking forward to applying her business background and being able to help young parents.

   Given Kaili's busy home life with two young children and her husband, she is always on the run. Together, they spend time doing arts and crafts, digging in the garden, and on a warm day they can be found playing on the water- kayaking, beaching, and building sand castles. She rescues and rehabilitates dogs and cats, and currently lives with their dog Huckleberry, and their cat Tornado, who help walk Kaili walk her children to school!

Hope was born and raised in Benzie County. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University, she knew she wanted to pursue a career supporting families. She enrolled in a master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of the Cumberland’s online program.
   Locally, Hope's experience included work with women and children in crisis as a domestic violence advocate at the Women's Resource Center. She has also recently completed an internship at Peace Ranch, where Hope was able to help in a 4-week program available to the young parents at Generations Ahead. This is where Hope first learned about Generations Ahead. Her interest in family systems and working with young couples will be a perfect fit for the work we do with young families.

    In her spare time, Hope enjoys many outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, and kayaking.