Meet Our Team
Staff
Christy Smith
Executive Director
Christy started as a volunteer with Severe Weather Shelter Network in 2015 and quickly became connected to the ministry. Being homeless herself several times as a child, she felt compelled to help the homeless population in a way that mattered. She became an employee in 2017 serving in multiple roles such as the Leadership Team, Transportation Coordinator, and Management of Operations.
Karen Primus
Administrative Manager
Karen joined the team in May 2022 as the administrative assistant. She has a heart for people and helping people who don’t really have a voice in society. She has a creative background with a BFA in Dramatic Arts and loves to use the skills she has learned to help others. She is excited to be able to assist in the process of helping people experiencing homelessness.
Erika Boyer
Administrative Assistant
Erika joined our group in 2023 bringing her extensive work experience in CRM/Database Management and Training, Vendor & Client Relationships, and Project Management.
Jessica Bailey
South Shelter Manager
Caring for others has always been a passion of mine. As a veteran nurse of 20 plus years, I have a strong compassion for all humans and their well-being. I was uneducated on the homeless community, and the fact that there even was one, until my husband and I experienced homelessness for ourselves. This experience opened my eyes to the true needs of the whole community. The level of awareness and understanding that is necessary when working with the homeless community is ever growing. All of the experiences I have had in both my professional career and personal life have strengthened my ability to adapt my working style around the needs of others. I appreciate constructive criticism and am always willing to learn and try new things.
Tara Kruckenberg
North Shelter Manager
I was born and raised in Canada eh? I have been blessed to have had over a decade experience in the broadcast news industry. I have worked for Fox News as a TV reporter and news anchor. However, my true passion is helping people! I am a recovering drug addict and alcoholic. My past struggle with addiction lead to living homeless on the streets of Denver. It is only but by the grace of God that I am alive today and sober. I feel extremely blessed to be on the SWSN team and I am hopeful that my past pain and experience surviving the streets, along with the love and compassion the Lord has placed in my heart will help me make a difference in the lives of the hurting and homeless.
Carissa Pinkert
Central Shelter Manager
I am 33 and I have a 7 year old son. I was homeless for about 2 years in downtown Denver. I currently work for Severe Weather Shelter Network, Movement 5280, and am on the Lived Experience Advisory Board. I love working with our homeless community and making them feel seen and heard. Severe Weather Shelter Network is an amazing place to let our people come in so we can feed them and love on them in their times of need. That was a big deal for me and I love being in the position of giving that out now.
Tracy Thayer
Shelter Assistant
I worked for 25+ years in the mental health field as a child/family therapist, supervisor, and trainer. Severe Weather Shelter Network approached our church to be a host site and I was asked to serve as a Church Coordinator and a Leadership Team member. I fell in love with our guests along the way and have been truly blessed by the experience working with and for the Network. After a brief hiatus, I am now back with the ministry and continuing my work with those enduring homelessness. When I am not doing shelter work, you can probably find me working at the Food Bank at Mean Street Ministry. One of my favorite parts of the work is hearing the various life stories of our guests and sharing with others that God’s children have so much more in common than we have differences.
Board Members
Sheryl Reicher
Board Member
Sheryl is a Nurse Practitioner and has worked in various settings from ER to internal medicine. She has lived in the South Metro area with her husband and 3 children for many years. Witnessing the increase in homelessness in the area, she decided it was time to understand and help with the problem instead of standing by. A friend through church introduced her to SWSN and she knew that this was where she needed to serve. SWSN aligns with her belief that every person deserves warmth, shelter and food. The hands and feet of Jesus are reflected in every aspect of this ministry.
Corey Garris
Board Member
Corey Garris is the Lead Pastor of Arvada Vineyard and helps lead the Mile High Vineyard family of neighborhood churches. He joined the staff in January 2014 because he had a desire to work with a passionate team committed to building a network of churches to spiritually influence the city of Denver. Corey also sits on the Board for Severe Weather Shelter Network.
Steve Persichetti
Board Member
Steve has been involved with local homeless mitigation for over 30 years and celebrates being a part of a new chapter in life for many who are no longer enduring life on the streets. He strives to be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s nudges to engage for a better tomorrow for those folks whose paths cross with his. He has met children, and even grandchildren of some of those folks who are enjoying a better life now.
Randy Weinert
Board Member
Randy has had successful careers in both the private and nonprifit sectors. In his primary career, he had the responsibility for the effectiveness of advertising for many of the world best known brands. After retiring, he became the Director of Communications for Catholic Charities and later, served as Manager of Volunteers, Community Outreach, and Development for Community Table. Both he and his wife volunteer with SWSN.
Susan Mueller
Board Member
Susan began serving with Severe Weather Shelter Network in 2019 alongside her husband and three young children. She recognized the invaluable impact the shelter has on its guests by providing refuge, dignity, and a home-cooked meal. As an engineer and program manager, Susan has committed her professional career to enhancing lives through medical technology advancements and feels honored to bring her ingenuity and organizational skills to the board of the SWSN.
Ben Renkoski
Board Member
Jason Overholt
Board Member