Our Team
Our Board of Directors
Matteah Spencer Reppart
Board President
Matteah and her family are deeply rooted in the Westside, having lived and invested in this community for more than 20 years. As the owner of Proponents, she works as a leadership and organizational coach, consultant, and facilitator. With expertise in strategic planning, organizational development, and learning and evaluation, she brings both professional insight and community commitment to The Other Way’s board. Matteah is passionate about advocacy, justice, and spaces where people can thrive.
Scott Schofield
Board Vice President
Scott moved to suburban Grand Rapids in 2023, but his family’s commitment to The Other Way and the Westside extends more than twenty years. Before his 2018 retirement, Scott was a judge in Berrien County for 21 years. Scott’s response to troubling national problems is concrete local action. To that end, he and his wife Nancy walk alongside their Westside neighbors as active members of Servant’s Community Church and through volunteering weekly at The Other Way.
Ann Heerde
Board Secretary
Ann serves as the Assistant Director – Support Services for the 20 Circuit Court. Her experience includes 20 years working in child and adolescent mental health, including serving at Community Mental Health of Ottawa County and Family Outreach Center. Her work also includes three years with the 17 Circuit Court, and seven years within the nonprofit sector. She holds a Doctor of Social Work from Capella University, Masters in Social Work from Grand Valley State University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Central College.
Mark Minnick
Board Treasurer
Mark has been a volunteer at The Other Way food pantry for five years and has served for three years on the board’s Finance Committee. He is retired from a career in residential and commercial building. Volunteering at The Other Way food pantry has increased his core Christian values. Mark believes we are all children of God regardless of ethnicity, religious belief or socioeconomic factors. Mark sees feeding our neighbors in need as a biblical teaching The Other Way puts into practice. And, witnessing their many programs has led Mark to understand what is truly important in life.
Cedric Williams
Board Member
Cedric believes that feeding and assisting the poor, marginalized, and disenfranchised is important for several deeply interconnected moral, social, economic, and humanitarian reasons. He believes that we have a moral, ethical, and spiritual responsibility. Every person deserves the necessities of life—food, shelter, healthcare, and dignity— regardless of their circumstances. Helping those in need reflects the highest values of nearly every ethical, spiritual, and philosophical system. As teacher of Sociology and Pastor, he believes in the mission of The Other Way Ministries of feeding and assisting the poor, marginalized, and disenfranchised.
Jessica Cooney-Davis
Board Member
Jessica moved to the Westside in 2016 and was drawn to its strong sense of community. She has over a decade of experience in nonprofit management across the Midwest, with a background in offender re-entry, restorative justice, legal literacy, and health literacy. She now works as a freelance grant writer and clear language strategist. Jessica joined the board to support an organization she’s valued since 2017, one that serves with intention and deep respect for human dignity.
Vanessa Cervantes
Board Member
Vanessa’s connection with The Other Way Ministries began when her youngest daughter attended Little Lights Ministries as a baby, so the organization holds a special place in her heart. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for over a decade and currently serves as a Community School Coordinator. She is passionate about community work, advocating for Spanish speaking families, and helping connect people with the resources they need.
Bobbi Jo Blanton
Board Member
Bobbi Jo Blanton was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has over 25 years of experience in leadership and operations, including business ownership and serving as Chief Operating Officer in various industries. Her background includes several roles on nonprofit boards. Her interests include education, individuals with disabilities, foster care, and community involvement. She is a servant leader who guides with empathy, compassion, and a focus on building meaningful connections in a positive, supportive manner.
Bobby Grier
Board Member
Bobby has been a volunteer at The Other Way for the past 13 years. An Atlanta native, he moved to Grand Rapids in 2009 and connected with The Other Way shortly after. He is deeply involved in the organization’s mission, using his time to support the food pantry, navigating city streets to pick up produce, and engaging in the Men’s Group. Above all, he is driven by a passion for connecting with people, dedicating himself to sharing kindness and support throughout the neighborhood.
AliciaMarie Belchak
Board Member
AliciaMarie is a longtime community advocate, communications professional, and First Ward representative on the Grand Rapids City Commission. She is a neighbor whose family has participated in, and benefited from, programs at The Other Way Ministries for years, including the Christmas Store and food pantry. This gives her a deeply personal connection to the organization’s mission and the Westside community it serves. She is passionate about building neighborhoods where mutual support, human dignity, deep care, and opportunity are shared by all.
Kyle VanStrien
Board Member
Kyle has called the Westside home for over 20 years, a journey that began through his early work with The Other Way Ministries as both an intern and staff member. He is a local business owner and community leader with experience on the City Planning Commission, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and business associations, bringing a background in public administration and neighborhood development. Kyle cares deeply about investing in people and places, and is committed to empowering neighbors and helping the community thrive.
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