Our Story

Established in 2014 by Dr. Natalie Ellington, Eileen & Callie’s Place was the response to a heart cry. Years earlier, while serving on the King County Women’s Advisory Board, Natalie had been made aware of the plight of young girls aged out of the foster care system but consumed at that time with a full-time job and various community projects, she filed that information on the back burner of her brain and went about living life.

It was in 2010 that Natalie found herself unemployed and in search of clients to support her new consulting business. Tired of the associated stress and mounting disappointment she spoke a life-changing prayer. “Lord, I need to be involved in something bigger than myself, and I can’t spend my time just trying to pay my bills.” The Lord answered that prayer and reminded her of these young girls and she began to research solutions to that heart cry.

Named after her mother (Eileen) and her mother-in-law (Callie), two women who steadfastly helped others outside of their immediate families, Eileen & Callie’s Place began to take form. The initial plan was to provide a two-year “transitional home”; but after repeated and in-depth conversations with young ladies who had aged out, it became clear that what they desperately needed and wanted was much more than a roof over their head. They wanted and needed genuine relationships, mentors who were truly concerned about their well-being and their future. It was evident that the solution to what these young women needed was clearly expressed in Jeremiah 29:11:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

These young women needed hope and a vision of a great future.

The revised plan provides support for them until their 25th birthday and within that relational environment, each young woman will be encouraged to explore their unique gifts and the dreams that they’ve held in their hearts over the years. Life skills, educational opportunities, and career exploration will all be conducted on an individual and personal basis.

Our Team

Dr. Natalie Ellington

Founder, Executive Director

More About Dr. Natalie Ellington

When I consider my transitional years (when I was 18 and knew everything) when I was questioning all the craziness I was experiencing, I’m grateful that there were people that chose to help me even when I made it clear I didn’t want their help. I also know the pain of doing it on my own and wanting help that didn’t materialize. I recognize and appreciate that when I wasn’t lovable, someone loved me enough to tolerate my attitude, my selfishness and my rebellious behavior to get me through those seasons of life. Now that I’m older and wiser it’s my turn to be there during the transitional years for these young ladies. Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and learning life lessons from some incredible women. I hope to be an incredible example to the young ladies we’ll serve through Eileen & Callie’s Place.

Ameeca Akram

Program Manager

More About ameeca akram

I believe people experience life stressors that create levels of trauma and can lead to their lives unraveling. My passion is to promote healing in their lives. I help participants; including families, adults and children, to build healthy relationships with themselves and others.

My mission is fueled by my knowledge, education, and experiences.

Renee Metanoia

Administrative Assistant

More About Renee Metanoia

I believe to serve the community is to build up the community. I am excited to be a part of a team that is dedicated to supporting and showing up for the young ladies aging out of the foster care system, and where I believe my empathetic heart, joyful personality and innovative thinking can be greatly utilized in the creation of ongoing support and resources for these beautiful and strong members of our community.

Board of Directors

Carmen Goers

President

More About Carmen Goers

Goers is a wife, mother of 4 daughters and grandmother for 4. She has been in the financial services industry for 25+ years and values the impact that non-profits and social service agency bring to the community. As a community volunteer, she has served in many areas to be an advocate for community members whose voices have not been heard. She enjoys family time and travel, when she’s not serving she’s planning family vacations.

Natasha Johnson

Vice President

More About Natasha Johnson

Prior to her current position, Natasha was a community mentor with the YMCA’s Evening Center program where she worked with youthful offenders to help them get disconnected from the criminal justice system and briefly worked as a contract Public Defender in Bonney Lake Municipal Court. In 2014, Natasha completed her undergraduate program, earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with honors, and went on to attend Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2017. During her time at Regent Law, she focused on community support work as the Law Student Section Chair with the Southampton Roads Bar Association; held the offices of the Chair and Attorney General of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA); and earned three awards for her community advocacy: 2016 Law Student of the Year, South Hampton Roads Bar Association; 2017 Regent University School of Law Community Changer Award; and 2017 Equal Justice Works Public Interest Law Student Award. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Communication & Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University. In her down time, Natasha enjoys taking long drives, spending time with her family (especially her youngest nephew) and reading

Arlyne Pinnock

Treasurer

More About Arlyne Pinnock

Arlyne was born and raised in Seattle and has been working in the banking industry for over 40 years, most recently with Wells Fargo Bank. Her primary focus is assisting small businesses during the current pandemic. She has served as a volunteer board member for non-profits focused on at risk youth for over 30 years. “When I heard about the wonderful program at Eileen and Callie’s Place, I said to myself, I would love to be a part of that. I moved out of my parent’s home at 20 years old. I could have stayed until I finished college but I was eager to be on my own. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be forced out at 18.” Arlyne is an avid reader and loves to travel.

Michael Hunter

Board Member

More About Michael Hunter

As a pastor and director of Heart to Heart Connections, an outreach ministry that builds strong families, Michael is a proven leader with strong ties to the community and leads by example. He currently serves at-risk youth at an alternative school in Seattle, mentors the teens and had led the truancy program. In the past, Michael was a successful house parent for teenage girls in an emancipation program in Portland Oregon called Give Us This Day. He has a heart for youth and has maintained positive relationships with them well into adulthood. Michael has been happily married for 33 years and has two adult sons.

Samantha Krebs

Board Member

More About Samantha Krebs

Samantha Krebs was born and raised in Washington. The oldest of four girls. She is a professional hairstylist and enjoys helping women see the beauty they possess as well as helping them to feel good about themselves. Samantha works with her church to run the missions and outreach department. She leads a community outreach every month providing meals to many families. Samantha loves overseas travels and working on missions trips. She adores her family and loves getting to know people.

Our Advisory Council

VIOLET BANKS, Former Foster Youth/Advocate
JOHN CAMERER, Vision House, Co-Founder; Area Director, Man in the Mirror Ministry
MELINDA GIOVENGO, PhD Former CEO & President, Youth Care
DR. CHERYL HASKINS, Executive Director, City Ministries
JAMERIKA HAYNES-LEWIS, Clever Jam Communications, Owner | Former Foster Youth/Advocate
DR. GREGORY JANTZ, The Center A Place Of Hope, Founder
DONNA LAFRANCE, State of Washington, Regional Education Program Manager
MORGAN LLEWELLYN, Llewellyn Real Estate
DEBBIE LEWIS, Consultant
DAWN RAINS, Treehouse For Kids, CEO
JUNIUS SCOTT, Admin of Children and Families, Region II Regional Manager – Retired
CHERYL SESNON, Harmony Hill, Executive Director
MARY STEELE, Executive Director, Compass Housing Alliance
JIM THEOFELIS, Founder and Executive Director, NorthStar Advocates

If you are successful, it is because somewhere, sometime, someone gave you a life or an idea that started you in the right direction. Remember also that you are indebted to life until you help some less fortunate person, just as you were helped.

Melinda French Gates

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PO Box 401, Kent, WA 98035

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Call Us: (567) 233-2632

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