Who Is Behind The Center For Family Outreach?
The Center wouldn’t be what it is today without the heart and expertise of our amazing staff members. With experience ranging from human services to substance abuse counseling, The Center is prepared to tackle any challenge that comes our way.
Meet our team!
Meet our team!
Laurie KlithExecutive DirectorLaurie Klith is the founder and Executive Director of the Center for Family Outreach, which she opened
in the year 2000. Laurie has over 37 years of experience combined as a public information officer, supervisor, and community liaison for the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department. |
Karen BennettOperations CoordinatorKaren moved to Colorado in 1994 after graduating from Penn State University and started her career in education at Rocky Mountain High School. She spent 12 years as a teacher in the special education program before she became an Assistant Principal in the 05/06 SY. She recently retired from RMHS after 29 years. She is excited to join the Center for Family Outreach, as her new role will allow her to combine her love of supporting youth with her skills in data analysis and budgeting. She believes working with youth keeps you young!
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Kim LipkerProgram Development CoordinatorKim is joining the team at TCFFO after 10 years at Poudre School District. At PSD she was in the department of Language, Culture & Equity as a McKinney-Vento Family Advocate for families experiencing homelessness. She comes to us firmly rooted in the community with a broad knowledge of being in service to others. By trade Kim is a Mizzou Journalist with tons of newspaper experience and 7 published books; they are mostly regional outdoor guidebooks. She has a daughter that graduated from the University of Arizona last year and now works at Crossroads Safehouse; a son who is a junior in architecture at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo; and a daughter in the 2025 graduating class of Fort Collins High School (she's a sophomore). They also have two dogs: Henry, English Lab and Marshall, Cattle Dog Mix.
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Jerri SchmitzGrant ManagerJerri had a vision of empowering marginalized youth and families and founded The Matthews House in 2006 and led the organization for 14 years. Earlier in her career she coached both high school and collegiate sports teams in addition to running a Junior Olympic Volleyball Club for 13 years. She semi-retired in 2020 but continues to serve the nonprofit field as a consultant because of her 16 years of experience with grant management.
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Destiny DominguezYouth Activity CoordinatorDestiny Dominguez joined the team at TCFFO in June 2023 as the Youth Activity Coordinator at the Teen Activity Center. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in sociology from Texas A&M University, she moved to Fort Collins in 2021 to attend the CSU Master of Public Health degree program with a focus in physical activity & healthy lifestyles. Destiny has years of experience developing, managing, and supporting safe active spaces for diverse communities. Some highlights of her projects include SingleMomsCreated4Change, the Larimer County Health Department community bike share, education and bike resource program, Chicas en Bicicleta club, Voces Jovenes y Fuertes youth coalition, Larimer County Transportation Trainings for the Spanish-speaking community and resource support for La Campeonas (Community Champions) who represent the needs of their mobile home communities around Larimer County.
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Tayia EvansLead Youth Engagement SpecialistTayia is the Lead Youth Engagement Specialist at TAC212. She graduated on the deans list with the class of 2023 from Poudre Community Academy. Tayia was the guest speaker at The Center for family outreach-Power of Hope fundraiser 2023 and continues her love and advocation for struggling or lost youth at TAC212 and The Center for Family Outreach. She looks forward to supporting all diverse groups and guiding teens who struggle with feeling heard. Tayia takes pride in her role at TCFFO and simply strives to become a positive contributor to the community.
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Brent NittmanBilingual Case ManagerBrent Nittmann is a native Coloradoan and spent his career in juvenile services and corrections. He holds a Masters from the Graduate School of Public Affairs from the University of Colorado with an emphasis in Criminal Justice. He was the Manager of Larimer County Youth Services Bureau where he authored and implemented the state’s first juvenile victim-offender mediation program. He oversaw the 8th Judicial District juvenile detention screening team and directed programs generating community service and restitution for victims. He later served as the Larimer County Community Corrections Director and authored the report to keep this agency in the public venue. He then served 18 years directing locked institutions for the Colorado Division of Youth Corrections and oversaw and supervised the Directors of 4 facilities in the DYC inventory. He has been a bilingual Case Manager for 3 years now with TCFFO in the Loveland office.
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Eric PildnerCase ManagerEric is a new Case Manager with TCFFO, after receiving his bachelor’s in social work from Colorado State university in 2023. Eric has worked with rural communities to develop civic capacity and help community members work together to participate in their local governments. Eric has also worked with Leadership Minor students at CSU to get them involved with their peers through community building events.
Eric is committed to Social Justice and supporting the voices of experts in the community. He is excited to build meaningful relationships within the community and create more community connections in Fort Collins! |
Seth Wise BuckCase ManagerSeth is a recent graduate of Colorado State University’s Social Work Program. He interned with The Department of Human Services Children Youth and Family Division, which helped him realize how passionate he is about community resources and casework. Prior to graduation he worked in bartending and restaurant management as well as various types of community volunteering. He lives in Fort Collins with his wife Brooke and their French bulldog Papi. He is looking forward to working with and contributing to the team’s vision.
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Lisa McVickerYouth Specialist for AcademicsLisa McVicker has 30+ years in education in Poudre School District serving as a paraprofessional, administrator, coach, and physical education teacher, and then retired in 2023. Coaching and athletics are part of her DNA. Her parents, siblings, husband, and all of her kids have all been (or are currently) coaches. She have been involved with Triple Crown Sports since high school, and is currently volunteering for the Female Athlete Network, a non-profit that raises money to support opportunities for girls and women in sports. She has four “adult” kids (Dylan, Brooks, Ryan - 24, and Zack 22) and a husband (Marty) that is coaching football and teaching at Wellington MHS.
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Lillian Koso
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Jo Locriccio-TurmanParent NavigatorJo has her master’s in education, is a Licensed School Counselor (2026); she has her mindful Teacher Certification through Mindful Schools and has completed over 300 plus hours of Mindful Practice and Instruction. She is certified from Mayo Clinic/ASU, in Mindfulness, Health/and Wellness. She has over 30 years of educational experience working with teens and adults, as a teacher, coach and counselor and curriculum writer. She believes that each person holds the answers to their challenges when they practice a gap of time to listen to the wisdom inside.
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Yadira Calvo
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Yadira's journey led her to embrace a new identity as a New American. Originating from Havana, Cuba, she achieved her accounting degree and garnered over two decades of invaluable experience in the field. Motivated by a pursuit of professional advancement, an improved quality of life, and enhanced prospects, Yadira ventured to the United States, accompanied by her daughter Zamira. Their home in Fort Collins now includes not only her daughter but also her partner, Michael.
Yadira's essence shines through her benevolent nature and vibrant spirit, qualities that have fostered exceptional connections with those around her. During weekends, her schedule is graced by family activities, and occasionally, she finds solace in the rhythm of dance. With profound gratitude, Yadira acknowledges the meaningful opportunity presented by The Center for Family Outreach. Through her involvement, she contributes to the community's well-being while simultaneously enriching her own understanding through shared experiences. |