We are pleased to announce two new additions to our staff team, both of whom are veterans:
Nathan Cross is our new Outreach Coordinator, a position formerly held by Valeria Shipp. Nathan first became involved with the program as a volunteer when he trained in September 2016. We are delighted to have him here full-time.
Cassandra Parks is our new Administrative Assistant. As many of you know, over the past year, we've experienced a sharp increase in the number of individuals needing assistance from our program, particularly via our 1-800 number. We created Cassandra's position and brought her on to our staff team to help keep up with this increased demand.
You can learn more about Nathan and Cassandra from their biographies below. Please feel free to reach out and introduce yourselves to them! (Their contact information is listed at the end of their bios.) Sincerely,
Stephanie Zarb
Program Manager
Nathan Cross Outreach Coordinator
Nathan Cross served in the U.S. Army Infantry as a Rifleman, Machine Gunner, Grenadier, and Team Leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning the Combat Infantryman Badge and two Army Commendation Medals for Leadership. Prior to joining the Buddy-to-Buddy staff, Nathan worked for the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency’s Veterans Resource Service Center and then as a VA work-study program Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist. In this position, Nathan is responsible for implementing a volunteer recruitment plan, identifying and staffing veteran-related events, and reaching out to volunteers to ensure they have the support they need.
Cassandra Parks served ten years in the United States Air Force working in Information Management/Administration. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Humanities and Social Sciences and has extensive administrative and research experience from her time serving and her sixteen years working for the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Cassandra is responsible for answering the program’s 1-800 call-in line and working with other staff to coordinate the referrals to volunteers.
Buddy-to-Buddy is part of Military Support Programs and Networks (M-SPAN), a portfolio of military mental health programs within the University of Michigan Depression Center.
