Who We Are

OUR MISSION

EFAA provides stabilizing services, innovative programs, and transformative advocacy to strengthen families and create a thriving community.

OUR VISION

A community where everyone is stable, healthy, and thriving.

We Value
Community

We know we’re all in this together. We create warm and inclusive environments, where compassion is an everyday practice and everyone feels like they belong. We focus on partnering with the people we serve and with organizations throughout Boulder County and beyond. We honor our connections and aspire to leverage everyone’s contributions for the greater good.

We Value
Resiliency

We know that those we serve are capable and powerful. We enhance people’s confidence, agency and sense of self-determination. We serve as both a safety net and a trampoline toward self-sufficiency. We are strengths-based and participant-led, encouraging people to step into their own leadership styles and stories. We believe those we serve and serve alongside are resourceful, and we prioritize dignity and personal choice.

We Value
Innovation

We know that thinking outside of the box produces transformation. We are willing to be vulnerable with our community and ourselves in order to find creative, inventive and courageous solutions. We share our knowledge and ideas, contributing to shifts in awareness, understanding and action at both individual and systems levels. We see ourselves as leaders in our field, and we are willing to experiment and to be uncomfortable to create lasting change for all.

We Value
Integrity

We know that respect is the cornerstone of relationships, and we model this throughout our organization. We engender trust by earning it through being reliable, transparent, and true to our word and our values. We honor our community by sincerely doing our best and holding ourselves accountable for our actions.

We Value
Equity

We know that access to opportunity is a key to success. We celebrate diversity, build pathways for inclusion and seek a community where identity (e.g., age, class, gender, race, etc.) does not determine advantage or disadvantage. We make decisions and allocate resources that are responsive to divergent needs. We confront our biases and aim to serve everyone in the most fair and just way. We remove barriers to services so that all community members can experience a healthy and thriving life.

We Value
Impact

We know that outcomes matter and are meaningful to our community. We succeed when we align individual needs with appropriate services, emphasizing quality over quantity. We are a results-oriented organization that pairs our goals with measurement systems to keep us focused and accountable. We believe that we are most effective when we implement timely evaluation, which informs our services and supports our sustainability.

Our Team

Julie Van Domelen, Executive Director

Julie Van Domelen, Executive Director, is an expert in the fields of poverty reduction, social protection, safety nets, and community-driven development programs with over 25 years of worldwide experience. She comes to EFAA from the World Bank where she served as a Senior Economist and Lead Social Protection Specialist for 17 years managing multi-million dollar funding to Governments and community-based organizations in Latin America and Africa. She was one of the core team that led the World Bank to increase its support for interventions to reach the poorest households and communities to improve basic services and reduce vulnerability. She also served as the Mayor of the Town of Lyons from 2009 to 2014. Van Domelen received a Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University and a Master of Public Administration from Princeton University. She is fluent in Spanish and French.

Julie Van Domelen, Executive Director

Patti Ketchner, Chief Financial Officer

Patti Ketchner, Chief Financial Officer, joined the staff in 2014.  She holds an MBA from the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver.  She has over 20 years of business, finance and management experience in diverse fields.  She most recently was the CFO of Sirna Therapeutics, where she participated in growing the organization from a small start-up to a publicly traded company that was sold to Merck for $1.1 billion in 2006.

Patti Ketchner, Chief Financial Officer

Sue McCullough, Director of Volunteer Services

Sue McCullough, Director of Volunteer Services, joined EFAA in 2015, where she manages EFAA’s Volunteer Program, engaging more than 700 volunteers annually. She brings over 15 years of volunteer and project management experience, having directed volunteer programs at Foothills United Way and the Volunteer Connection of Boulder County after her move to Colorado in 2008. Sue holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.

Sue McCullough, Director of Volunteer Services

Ashley Rumble, Director of Development

Ashley Rumble, Director of Development, joined EFAA in 2014. She has dedicated her career to nonprofit development. Prior to her promotion to Director, she served as the Assistant Director of Development focusing her energies on business donor development and key fundraising events. As Grants Coordinator for Live Violence Free she secured 79% of the organization’s $1.8M budget through municipal, state, and federal grants. Rumble holds a Master’s Degree in Geography from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Ashley Rumble, Director of Development

Kammi Siemens, Director of Programs

Kammi Siemens, Director of Programs, joined EFAA in 2022. She has held leadership positions with non-profits, government agencies, corporations, and foundations, bringing depth and scope to her subject matter expertise in economic mobility. Kammi served as the National Financial Wellness Director for Goodwill Industries International and most recently as the Director of Jewish Family Service in Boulder. During the pandemic, she led the office in quickly pivoting its programs and services to best meet the needs of impacted community members, including a 49000% increase in distribution of financial assistance for housing. She holds a Masters of Science in Social Work with a concentration in Nonprofit Management, and she is an Annie E. Casey Foundation Children and Family Fellow.

Kammi Siemens, Director of Programs

Our Staff

Ana Fernandez Frank
Public Policy & Community Outreach Manager
303.951.7668

Ashley Rumble
Director of Development
303.951.7696

Bhola K
Economic Empowerment Program Manager
303.951.7703

Cecy
Front Desk Coordinator & Information Referral Supervisor
303.442.3042

Ellen Ross
Communications Manager
303.951.7692

Elena
Front Desk Associate
303.951.7693

Jake McClelland
Institutional Giving Manager
303.951.7666

Jennifer Huynh
Data, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator
303.951.7714

Jesus Quiroga
Maintenance Tech
303.951.7682

Juan Granillo
Maintenance Tech
303.951.7697

Julie Van Domelen
Executive Director
303.951.7665

Kammi Siemens
Director of Programs
303.951.7680

Laura Casillas
Donor Relations Officer
303.951.7677

Laura Price
HR Manager
303.951.7674

Lillian Bernhardt
Office Assistant
303.951.7664

Lorel Holsinger
Development Database Administrator
303.951.7675

Patti Ketchner
Chief Financial Officer
303.951.7671

Patty Carvajal
Director of Operations
303.951.7700

Shari Mukundan
Food Bank Coordinator
303.951.7711

Shawn Chin
Accountant
303.951.7715

Sue McCullough
Director of Volunteer Services
303.951.7663

Walter O’Toole
Food Bank Manager
303.951.7667

Resource Navigators

Aline
Resource Navigator, Housing
303.951.7678

Crystal
Resource Navigator, Basic Needs
303.951.7702

Denise
Resource Navigator, Children, Youth & Families
303.951.7662

Erica
Resource Navigator, Basic Needs & Housing Stabilization Program
303.951.7706

Guillermo
Housing Program Manager
303.951.7683

Jasmin
Family Housing Navigator
303.951.7676

Jess A
Resource Navigator, Basic Needs
303.951.7681

Jessica S
Resource Navigator, Basic Needs
303.951.7699

Jill
Lead Resource Navigator, Basic Needs
720.951.7669

Kelly
Mountain Resources Liaison
720.422.7813

Kristi
Basic Needs Program Manager
303.951.7661

Laura Z
Resource Navigator, Housing
303.951.7701

Lidia
Resource Navigator, Housing
720.951.7691

Margie
Resource Navigator, Housing
303.951.7687

Maria
Food Bank Associate
303.442.3042

Natalia
Resource Navigator, Basic Needs
303.951.7686

Raul
Resource Navigator, Children, Youth & Families
303.951.7694

Ysa
Resource Navigator, Basic Needs
303.951.7672

EFAA BOARD & COMMITTEES

BOARD OF
DIRECTORS

Jerry Comer, President
Scott Reardon, Treasurer
Shauna Schmitz, Secretary
Keely Cormier, Past President
Garrett Marsilio, President-Elect
Susan Bebout
Penny Bennett
Lisa Bowen
Jahnavi Brenner
Christine Case
Miriam Gilbert
Kathleen GilliganSmith
Ema Lyman
Roberto Rivero
Julee Stephenson
Christopher Wakefield
Carmela Weber
Bob Wettergren

DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE

Julee Stephenson, Chair
Jerry Comer
Mark Biggers
Martine Elianor
Jon Gordon
Jo Ann Hair
Erica Holwick
Matt Honea
Karla Rikansrud
Michael Unruh
Anne Henderson
Christopher Wakefield

FINANCE
COMMITTEE

Scott Reardon, Chair
Garrett Marsilio
Chip Corboy
Drew Lyon
Susan Graf
Shauna Schmitz
Josh Sroge

STRATEGIC EDUCATION
COMMITTEE

Miriam Gilbert, Chair
Kevin Luff, Vice Chair
Luci Sheehan
Leslie Durgin
Nathalie Smith
Don Bishop
Marjorie K McIntosh
Scott Bergquist
Lisa Bowen
Jean Caris

PROGRAMS COMMITTEE

Penelope Bennett, Chair
Lisa Bowen, Vice Chair
Susi Gritton
Elena Aranda
Mark Biggers
Ema Lyman
Ardith Sehulster
Carmela Weber
Monica Vargas
Ina Rodriguez Meyer
Peggy Merrill
Kim Hartzell

HR COMMITTEE

Keely Cormier, Chair
Sarah Vonnahme
Bob Wettergren
Melanie Williams

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Jerry Comer, President
Scott Reardon, Treasurer
Shauna Schmitz, Secretary
Garrett Marsilio, President Elect
Keely Cormier, Past President

ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE

Keely Cormier, Chair
Josh Sroge
Andy Franklin
Mark Biggers
Dan Day
Jon Gordon
Kevin Luff
Kristin Moseley
Nancy Sanders

PARTICIPANT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Jean Caris
Indira Kumari
Patti Molina
Peter S Kirby
Susan Bebout
Victor Lemus
Wendy Abreu
Renee Sante
Kathleen GilliganSmith
Susan Gillespie

GUILD TEAM COMMITTEE

Christine Case, Chair
Alison Banik
Deb Yurkunas
Traci Rivinus
Carrie Landin
Michelle Mendieta
Heather Boelens
Erica Holwick
Britt Pearson
Camerley Bates
Kylie Marflak
Robin Luff
Rhonda McCay
Kristin Moseley
Tara Lund
Diane Scott
Lenora Cooper
Olivia Simone

DEI COMMITTEE

Carmela Weber, Chair
Marita Hoeh
Jody LeFayt
Roberto Rivero

Our History

100 YEARS A NEIGHBOR,
AND 100 MORE

Since 1918, EFAA has been a locally operated community safety net for families in times of need. Throughout EFAA’s 100 year plus history, the organization has helped tens of thousands of families get back on their feet, and been supported by tens of thousands of donors and volunteers dedicated to EFAA’s mission.

1915: LOCAL MINING BOOM

<year>1915:</year> LOCAL MINING BOOM

Boulder served as a center of trade and commerce for mining in the mountains to the West and the coalfields to the South and East. In 1915, supporting World War I efforts…

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1918: LOCAL MINING BUST COMES WITH THE END OF WWI

<year>1918:</year> LOCAL MINING BUST COMES WITH THE END OF WWI

In addition to the mining and agricultural bust that hit Boulder hard as WWI ended, the Spanish Flu epidemic took many lives, putting increased pressure on the community. Need was growing among families unable to meet…

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1920s + 1930s: HELPING FAMILIES RECOVER FROM THE DEPRESSION

<year>1920s + 1930s:</year> HELPING FAMILIES RECOVER FROM THE DEPRESSION

At the height of the Great Depression in 1932, 25% of Boulder County residents relied on some form of relief aid. The demand for help was high, but thanks to strong community support and collaborative partnerships, EFAA was able to continue to help families…

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1940s + 1950s: LOCAL GROWTH AND HIGHER EMPLOYMENT

<year>1940s + 1950s:</year> LOCAL GROWTH AND HIGHER EMPLOYMENT

After the United States entered WWII in 1941, family dynamics shifted. Women started working outside the home in greater numbers while men were away at war…

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1960s: WHOLE FAMILY APPROACH & COMMUNITY COLLABORATION TO MEET NEED

<year>1960s:</year> WHOLE FAMILY APPROACH & COMMUNITY COLLABORATION TO MEET NEED

EFAA focused on taking a whole-family approach as a way of helping children more effectively, knowing that assistance to the entire family can create a better home environment.

In 1961 the business administration of EFAA was absorbed by the United Way…

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HEAR STORIES FROM THE PAST:
“Somebody’s saying – it’s a cop, too – ‘What’s the matter?’ And before you can stop him, the youngest one pipes up, ‘We’re hungry!’

1970s: DRAMATIC INCREASE IN NEED AND COLLABORATION TO PROVIDE HOUSING

<year>1970s:</year> DRAMATIC INCREASE IN NEED AND COLLABORATION TO PROVIDE HOUSING

In 1974, Social Service Child Welfare Association of Boulder officially changed its name to Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) to better reflect its work in the community, especially after the County Department of Public Welfare changed its name to the Department of Social Services…

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1980s: FOCUS ON INCREASED HOUSING FOR FAMILIES & HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION

<year>1980s:</year> FOCUS ON INCREASED HOUSING FOR FAMILIES & HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION

Funding for federal safety net programs were reduced dramatically, creating a rapid increase in poverty and community need. In fact, the number of children living below the poverty line in Colorado doubled in this decade…

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1990s: HOUSING & CHILDREN CONTINUE AS PRIORITY, VOLUNTEERS & FUNDRAISERS MAKE WORK POSSIBLE

<year>1990s:</year> HOUSING & CHILDREN CONTINUE AS PRIORITY, VOLUNTEERS & FUNDRAISERS MAKE WORK POSSIBLE

In 1990, EFAA saw a 25% increase from the previous year in requests for help from local families. This was in part due to a rapid rise in housing costs. As needs increased significantly, so did volunteer participation, both in numbers and in the importance of the roles they filled…

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2000s: TURBULENT ECONOMIC TIMES, NEW FACILITY FOR EFAA

<year>2000s:</year> TURBULENT ECONOMIC TIMES, NEW FACILITY FOR EFAA

In 2001, EFAA saw need increase 30% over the previous year — the biggest spike in 20 years. The following year, need increased again 40%.
This kicked off a financially turbulent decade, but despite the stagnant economy, the community rallied behind EFAA with generous donations and volunteer hours to meet need…

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2010s: EXPANDING SERVICES IN EXTRAORDINARY TIMES TO FOCUS ON LONG-TERM FAMILY WELL BEING

<year>2010s:</year> EXPANDING SERVICES IN EXTRAORDINARY TIMES TO FOCUS ON LONG-TERM FAMILY WELL BEING

In June 2012 EFAA further expanded its housing for families with children by purchasing a building of housing units in Louisville.

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2018: EFAA CELEBRATES ITS 100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

<year>2018:</year> EFAA CELEBRATES ITS 100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

We’re happy to celebrate a century of strengthening families!

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