Disability Network Lakeshore
A blind man in dark glasses and a woman in a wheelchair at a team meeting.

Our Team

Meet the people who make our work possible. Many of us live with disabilities ourselves.

Our Staff

Our staff are here to help you find resources, learn skills and live the life you choose. Give us a call at (616) 396-5326 — services for individuals are always free.

  • Amanda Rhines-Poehlman, a woman with wavy auburn hair, smiling in a white button-up shirt.

    Amanda Rhines-Poehlman

    Executive Director

  • Stacey Trowbridge, a woman with long auburn hair, smiling in a dark jacket.

    Stacey Trowbridge

    Associate Director

  • Karon Beukema, a woman with short gray hair and glasses, smiling in a bright blue jacket.

    Karon Beukema

    Office Manager

  • Michelle Rottschafer, a woman with dark hair and glasses, smiling in a maroon cardigan.

    Michelle Rottschafer

    Communications Manager

  • Emma Balaskovitz, a woman with long brown hair, smiling in a white knit cardigan.

    Emma Balaskovitz

    Community Resource Manager

  • Kristin Myers, a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, smiling in a blue top.

    Kristin Myers

    Independent Living Supervisor

  • Shawn Arapovich, a man with short dark hair and glasses, smiling in a black shirt.

    Shawn Arapovich

    Benefits & Options Counselor

  • John Koon, a man with gray hair and glasses, smiling in a dark sweater over a white collared shirt.

    John Koon

    Benefits Counselor

Board of Directors

Our board guides our work. A majority of our board members identify as living with disabilities.

Officers

  • Terry DeYoung — President
  • Amber Marcy — Vice President
  • Michele Chaney — Treasurer
  • Natalie DeVries — Secretary

Members

  • Marge Bakker
  • Margie Boersma
  • Har Ye Kan

How Our Team Works

As a Center for Independent Living, we are built on a simple idea: people with disabilities are the experts on their own lives. That belief shapes how our whole team works together. A majority of our board and staff live with disabilities themselves — including disabilities you can see and disabilities you cannot, like chronic pain, hearing loss, or mental health conditions. That lived experience is not a detail on the side. It is the heart of everything we do.

Because of this, we do not tell people what their goals should be. We listen first. When you work with a member of our team, you set the direction, and we bring information, skills, encouragement, and connections to help you get there. We call this being peer-led. It means the person sitting across from you may have navigated some of the same barriers, filled out some of the same forms, and celebrated some of the same wins.

Our staff and board bring a mix of backgrounds and skills — from benefits counseling and independent living support to communications and community resources — but they share one goal: helping people participate, contribute, and belong in Ottawa and Allegan counties. When one team member does not have the answer, they know who on the team does, so you are never left to figure things out alone.

What to Expect When You Reach Out

Contacting us for the first time can feel like a big step, so we try to make it easy. When you call (616) 396-5326 or send a message, a real person will listen to what you need. There are no phone trees and no runaround. You do not need a diagnosis, paperwork, or a referral to talk with us, and you do not have to know exactly what to ask for. "I'm not sure where to start" is a perfectly good place to begin.

From there, a team member will talk with you about your situation and your goals. If we offer a service that fits, we will help you get started. If another organization is a better match for what you need, we will point you in the right direction. Services for individuals are always free, and everything you share with us is treated with respect and care.

If you need to communicate in a different way, we will meet you where you are. You can reach us by phone, email, or fax, and if you use a relay service, dial 7-1-1 and give the operator our number. Just let us know what works best for you.

Where Our Team Can Help

Our team supports people across our core services. If you already know what you are looking for, you can head straight to the area that fits:

  • Information & Referral — answers to your questions and connections to trusted community resources.
  • Independent Living Skills — support to build everyday skills, from cooking and budgeting to using transportation.
  • Peer Support — connection with people who have lived experience with disability.
  • Advocacy — help speaking up for your rights and working toward a more accessible community.
  • Transitions — support through major life changes.

Not sure which one fits? That is what we are here for. Reach out and we will help you find the right starting point.

Want to Talk With Us?

We are happy to answer your questions. Call us or send a message any time.

Contact Us Today