We serve survivors

Hope Shores Alliance values inclusiveness and accessibility as a core tenet of service provision. We serve survivors and their support persons regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, creed, national origin, ethnicity, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, language, hearing or Deaf identity, class, economic status, education, immigration status, marital status, physical or mental abilities, HIV status, or substance use.

We serve survivors across the lifespan meaning that we will provide the same level of service and dedication to an individual fleeing an active situation as we would to a person who experienced the trauma 40 years ago.

We believe in communities where ALL have the right to be safe from stalking and sexual, domestic, and dating violence.

We provide services in Alcona, Alpena, Iosco, Montmorency, and Presque Isle Counties.

Alcona County

Alpena County

Iosco County

Montmorency County

Presque Isle County

Board Members

Char Keune
President
3632 Long Rapids Rd.
Alpena, MI 49707
989-916-7784
fres72@yahoo.com

Retired
Advocate and Leader at Shelter, Inc.

Joined board April 2019
Second Term
Term of Service: June 2022 – June 2025

Tammy Meredith, PhD
Secretary
6700 Long rapids Rd.
Alpena, MI 49707
678-777-7835
tammy@tammymeredith.com

Semi-Retired
Criminologist/Research Consultant

Joined board July 2021
First Term
Term of Service: June 2022 – June 2025

Edna Sorensen
Treasurer
305 Partridge Ave.
Alpena, MI 49707
898-464-6034
winfield229@charter.net

Retired
Chief Financial Officer

Joined board February 2020
First Term
Term of Service: Feb 2020 – Jan 2023

Member at Large

Kelli Leask, MSN Ed, APRN, FNP-C
8412 Gutchess Rd.
Alpena, MI 49707
Alpena County
616-283-6344
skleask@charter.net

Family Nurse Practitioner

Joined board February 2022
First Term
Term of Service: Feb 2022 – Feb 2023

Member at Large

Amanda Bergeron
4814 Ausable Rd.
Oscoda, MI 48750
989-916-2112
Amandabergeronphotography
@gmail.com

NEMCSA Food Program Director/Photographer/Life Coach

Joined board August 2022
First Term
Term of Service: Aug 2022 – Aug 2023

Member at Large

David Ladd
473 Bissonette Rd.
Oscoda, MI 48750
989-916-2112
laddkipp@aol.com 

Musician/Community Volunteer/Homeless Advocate

Joined board March 2023
First Term
Term of Service: Aug 2023 – March 2024

Monthly Calendar

meetings

  • Finance Committee: Fourth Thursday of each month, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  • Board Meetings: Fourth Thursday of each month, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
* Hope Shores Alliance fiscal year is October 1 through September 30.

January

Stalking Awareness Month

Activity:

  • Conduct Annual Board self-evaluation (new for 2022)
  • 1st Quarter Financials
    • Presented by Finance Committee for approval

February

Dating Violence Awareness Month

Activity:

  • Annual Board Retreat for Strategic Planning
    • Review and Update Strategic Plan
  • Electronically review and approve IRS Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax)

March

Activity:

  • Review and approve Audited Financial Statements
  • Auditor’s report to the BOD

April

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Activity:

  • 2nd Quarter Financials
    • Presented by Finance Committee for approval 
  • Attend Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events
  • Develop slate of officers

May

Activity:

  • Annual Meeting of Board for Election of Officers (2-year terms)
  • Review and revise, as applicable, agency financial policies and plans. 
  • Review and revise where applicable Board manuals, policies, practices and procedures.

June

Activity:

  • Complete Executive Director Evaluation

July

Activity:

  • No Meeting – Summer Break 
  • Action items will be reviewed and approved via email as required

August

Activity:

  • 3rd Quarter Financials
    • Presented by Finance Committee for approval

September

Activity:

  • Agency Budget review
    • Presented by Finance Committee for approval 
    • Financial SOP’s Reviewed and Approved  – Presented by Finance Director to Finance Committee

October

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Activity:

  • Agency personnel salary scale review and approval with Finance and Executive Directors as required
  • 4th Quarter Financials
    • Presented by Finance Committee for approval 
  • Governance:
    • Personnel Policies Review and Revision where/if applicable
  • Fund Development:
    • Establish the yearly fund advancement objectives, goals, plans and calendar
  • Systems Advocacy/Outreach Plan review and update where applicable

November

Activity:

  • Year End Financials
    • Presented by Finance Committee for approval 
  • Financial Audit preparation
  • Conduct pre-strategic planning discussion with staff and review of accomplishments and long-range visions; to be held in conjunction with Staff Appreciation Event
  • Confirm strategic planning/board retreat meeting date, time and location
  • Annual Board-hosted staff appreciation, holiday season, and strategic planning event

December

Activity:

  • No Meeting – Winter/Holiday Break
  • Independent Audit

File Storage

Board of Directors Meetings:

September 2023
August 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
January 2022
February 2022
March 2022
April 2022
May 2022
June 2022
July 2022
August 2022
September 2022
October 2022
November 2022
CommitteeMembersChairNote takerMeeting Date/Time

Executive

Officers of the Board (Char, Edna, Tammy)

Char (President)

Tammy 

Thursday one week prior to the full board meeting 

Finance

Edna (Treasurer), Char, Nikki (Finance Director), Val

Edna (Treasurer) 

Nikki 

One hour prior to the full board meeting

Governance/Policy

Char, Edna, Tammy, Kelli, Val

Tammy (Secretary) 

Kelli 

As needed, at least monthly

Fund Development

Char, Edna, Val, Kelly B

Char 

Val/Kelly B

As needed, at least monthly

Strategic Plan

  1. Improve sexual assault service offerings to underserved/unserved populations.
  2. Engage in a capital campaign to fund emergency shelter improvements.
  3. Improve staff retention and reduce staff burnout by boosting resilience.
  4. Increase board diversity.
  5. Investigate options for opening a thrift store in Alpena.