Leadership Team
Michelle Venema
The story of Michelle, our Chief Executive Officer, is a true inspiration. Thirty years ago, she started at First National Bank of Chester County as a bank teller and worked her way up to the role of Executive Vice President of Business Banking. There was a time, in her Sweet Briar College days, when she wanted to become a doctor and to that end got her degree in Biochemistry. However, once she started working at First National, she caught the banking bug and never left the financial world until joining Home of the Sparrow as Chief Executive Officer in 2017.
Darla Nutter
Darla Nutter is the heart and soul of Home of the Sparrow. Here from almost the beginning, she played an essential role in bringing us to where we are today. We sometimes suspect that she has an encyclopedic memory, because she knows everything about Home of the Sparrow, and many of our supporters personally.
Kathleen Sanger
Kathleen has always worked in the nonprofit sector; always in Chester County. She began her career at United Way of Chester County in 1988 when it was located in Exton. 32 years later, she’s working down the street from her first job, serving another organization whose mission she believes in fervently. Although raised in Media, she became a Chester Countian when she arrived at WCU to study speech communications. She and her husband raised their three sons here, all of whom went to college locally. The family continues its commitment to the County with her eldest and her husband working as teachers and her middle son serving another County nonprofit as an active volunteer.
Matrie Johnson
When Matrie Johnson believes something is possible, she doesn’t take no for an answer. As Director of Programs, she grew our programs to where they are today. She made Home of the Sparrow a place that is open to all women in Chester County who are struggling with housing, despite doing everything they can. Matrie’s philosophy builds on the idea of partnership, personal strength and encouragement. Her goal is to empower single women and mothers to become financially self-sufficient and independent.
Staff
Alejandra Oviedo
Bilingual Program Coordinator
Alejandra also known as “Ale” is the Bilingual Program Coordinator from the Supportive Housing Program. Knowing a second language is such an important asset here in Home of the Sparrow...
Alejandrie Oveido
Wrap Program Coordinator
Alejandrie is a Hispanic woman who was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She grew up the oldest of seven siblings and very close to the family and values of education and hard work was instilled in the family.
Beth Erisman
Development and Communications Associate
Beth joined the Home of the Sparrow in January of 2023 as the Development and Communications Associate. She holds a Bachelors in Elementary Education from West Chester University. After teaching third grade for a few years, Beth started her family. It was then that she fell in love with photography. When her children were young, she owned and operated a photography studio for families and children for twelve years. Beth also has previous non-profit experience as the Coordinator of Mission Advancement at Kennett Area Community Service. She has a passion for service and has been a longtime volunteer with various organizations within her community for the past ten years. Beth and her husband have been residents of Kennett Square for the past eighteen years. In her free time, she enjoys long walks in the park, playing backgammon and spending time with friends and family.
Bruce Field
Property Manager
As one of the longest standing staff members of Home of the Sparrow, Bruce Field makes sure that our Pre-Senior Bridge Houses and our office are in tip-top shape. We have yet to find a problem that Bruce can’t fix ...
Geisa O’Reilly Corbitt
Volunteer Coordinator
Geisa was born and raised in Delaware and made her way to Chester County 10 years ago after extensive travel; living in different states as well as overseas in Brazil. She holds degrees in English communications and media art design, and her varied work experience has provided her countless opportunities to work with various groups of individuals. Of those groups, she holds much passion for working with seniors, youth, and volunteers. Geisa joined Home of the Sparrow in February 2023 as Volunteer Coordinator after several years working for another non-profit. Geisa stays busy as a small business owner, and a mom of 2 daughters whom she shares with her husband of over 20 years. Geisa is an active member of her gym, a lifelong runner, a coffee-lover, and breakfast enthusiast. She believes that giving back as a volunteer can create a huge impact wave, thus inspiring others to serve in the same capacity.
Israel Gordon
Outreach Coordinator
Israel Gordon was born in Philadelphia, PA and spent his early years in Germantown. Upon moving to Coatesville with his family as a pre-teen he has always been active in Chester County and the Philadelphia area.
Kristen Jaggers
Program Coordinator
Kristen has been responding to life in this way since she was a youngster, demolishing whatever barrier the universe dropped in her path. As a teenager she volunteered in homeless shelters and soup kitchens, ...