MEET THE STAFF
 Jodi Alwan, Program Manager
jalwan@advocatesforaccess.com
Jodi Alwan is the Program Manager at Advocates for Access. She was previously the Reintegration Coordinator at AFA for 5 years. Jodi is currently an on-line student at the University of Wisconsin Stout and is working toward a Master’s Degree to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She has been married since 2005 and has a Foster son who keeps her busy.
 Jack Baize, Personal Assistant Coordinator
jbaize@advocatesforaccess.com
Jack has been with Advocates for Access since November 2006. He is a retired Police Officer. During his career, Jack served as a Field Training Officer/ Trainer where he also trained other Field Trainers. Included in Jack’s educational background is the Instructor/ Trainer Enhancement course through Northwestern University. Prior to being a Police Officer, Jack was a Paramedic for 10 years in Peoria. During that time he was also a Paramedic Field Trainer. He enjoys conducting the training of our Personal Assistants. Jack is a member and officer of the Masonic Lodge in Peoria Heights. He has served as a member of the Community Institutional Review Board through the University of Illinois School of Medicine/ Peoria Campus. As is evident, Jack is dedicated to the service of those in need and the training of those who have a desire to provide service and assistance to others.
 Rachel Gama, Community Reintegration Coordinator
rgama@avocatesforaccess.com
Rachel holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sociology from Eureka College. Prior to joining the staff of Advocates for Access in September of 2008, she was an addictions specialist. She is our new Community Reintegration Coordinator. Rachel looks forward to helping people with disabilities become more independent by moving out of the nursing homes and into their own home.
 Tiffany Denniston, Office Manager
tdenniston@advocatesforaccess.com
Since July of 2003, Tiffany has held the position of Office Manager. She works hand in hand with Melody on all the budgets and finances. Her work experience has made Tiffany the person she is today. Tiffany is very involved with her youth group, ladies and children's ministries at her church. Tiffany is a cheerful addition to the
Advocates for Access staff and her vision for providing the best services for people with disabilities remains strong.
 Tammy Helm, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advocate
thelm@advocatesforaccess.com
Tammy has been with Advocates for Access since August 2002. She holds an NIC Advanced certification as a sign language Interpreter with a Master Interpreter Licensure from the state of Illinois. Tammy is a staff liaison to Advocates for Access’s Deaf Advisory Committee (DAC) and is on the Mayor's Advisory Committee for persons with disabilities in Tazewell County. Working with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities to empower them to advocate for themselves and live independently is her passion.
 Melissa Logsdon, Office Assistant
mlogsdon@advocatesforaccess.com
Melissa has been with Advocates for Access since October of 2010. She holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Masters degree in Human and Community Development from the University of Illinois. Prior to joining the staff of Advocates for Access, she worked in several administrative assistant positions as well as helping run various church and community programs. Melissa looks forward to helping people with disabilities become more independent through her assistance.
 Terri Ralph, Youth Services Coordinator
tralph@advocatesforaccess.com
Terri has just recently joined Advocates for Access as the Youth Services Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Illinois State University. Terri taught elementary school in the Peoria area for 19 years, before resigning to spend all of her time raising her three wonderful children, ages 24, 19, and 17. As the mother of a child with a disability, Terri is passionate about teaching and empowering special needs children to learn how to live independently in our community. Terri is a member of the Central Illinois Transition Planning Committee, the Tri-County Autism Steering Committee, Youth Council, and the Youth Service Network Panel. She is also active in Special Olympics, Dunlap Parents Special Needs Group, and The Penguin Project.
 Shirley Wells, Community Reintegration & Direct Services Specialist
swells@advocatesforaccess.com
Shirley has been at the center providing direct services since 1994. She has a long history of making a difference in the disabled community. Shirley is a Certified Housing Counselor and advocates for affordable accessible housing in the community. She currently serves on PARC’s Human Rights Board, the Coalition for Mental Health recovery, and the Tazewood Community Service Providers. She is currently serving as our Community Reintegration Coordinator and enjoys assisting people with disabilities move out of nursing homes into an independent life style.
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