Kim Clifton, Executive Director Originally from Savannah, Ga., and a graduate of the College of Charleston, Kim brings a wealth of successful nonprofit experience to the HALOS team. She received a Master of Social Work degree from Boston University with a concentration in program planning and development, community organizing, and nonprofit administration. Her prior experience includes serving as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member on Whidbey Island, Wash., the Director of Development for a community center in inner-city Boston, and Fundraising Specialist in Guatemala. “What excites me about HALOS is that it is such an effective community collaboration. This makes a stronger, more vibrant program.”
Elisa Mundis Strickler, Resource Development Director Since her arrival in Charleston in 2002, Elisa has worked full-time, volunteered, and supported numerous local nonprofits with diverse missions. Her work has involved a variety of tasks which include event planning, grant writing, and coordinating the formation of task forces and advisory boards to address community-wide issues. Elisa earned a Master of Public Administration degree, with a focus on nonprofit management, from the College of Charleston in 2009. “Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, ‘Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.'
Lilian Alvarez, Kinship Care Program Director Originally from Guatemala, Lilian earned a degree in Family and Child Studies with an emphasis in Family Social Services. She brings a background in working with children and adults diagnosed with clinical, mood, personality, psychosocial, learning and/or behavioral disorders to the Kinship Care Program. “We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own.” –Ben Sweetland
Andrea Thames, Family Advocate and Volunteer Coordinator A Wisconsin native, Andrea moved to Charleston after earning a degree at the University of Wisconsin. She has an extensive background working with children and adults with behavioral, developmental and medical concerns and has worked closely with caregivers to educate, empower and support the family unit. She brings a wealth of information regarding community resources to the Kinship Care Progam. ‘Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.’ — Shel Silverstein