New Executive Director of Van Wert Campus Announced
Kelley Jones has ties to the community.
Columbus and Van Wert, Ohio (Vocus) August 25, 2008
Kelley Jones of Groveport, Ohio, has been promoted to Executive Director of Starr Commonwealth’s Van Wert, Ohio campus.
Jones has served as Assistant Director and Intake Coordinator for Starr Commonwealth’s Hannah Neil Center in Columbus, Ohio since 2001. Starr Commonwealth is a nationally recognized nonprofit serving children and families from across the country and internationally in Michigan and Ohio.
Jones’ entire life has revolved around the betterment of children and families. Originally from Albion, Michigan, where Starr Commonwealth operates its largest residential program, Jones is the daughter of Duane Dobbert, former Calhoun County Juvenile Court Director, and Judyth Dobbert-Meloy, former superintendent of Albion Public Schools. Her family’s vested interest in the welfare of youth led Jones to seek a similar career path.
Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree of arts, specializing in marriage and families, from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.
Shortly after graduation, Jones joined Starr Commonwealth as a Residential Youth Specialist in Van Wert in April 1994. During her 14-year tenure, Jones progressed in her responsibility and commitment to the organization through a variety of positions.
“Kelley has demonstrated unwavering dedication to children and families while also modeling Starr Commonwealth’s core values of honesty, compassion, respect, responsibility and fairness,” said Martin L. Mitchell, President and CEO of Starr Commonwealth. “We’re proud of Kelley’s achievements and pleased to announce her new role at Starr.”
“I’m looking forward to returning to the Van Wert community,” said Jones. “It’s where I began my career, met my husband and made a lot of friends. I have so many fond memories of Van Wert and our family is looking forward to making more.”
Jones, her husband Scott, and their two daughters will relocate to Van Wert in time for her first day in her new role on Sept. 8. As director of the campus, she will oversee the operation of the traditional residential program for boys and the private therapeutic residential program known as Montcalm School for Girls.
“I am extremely excited about this chance to work with a new population of students, help even more families and the challenges and opportunities ahead,” Jones said.
Founded in 1913, Starr Commonwealth is a nationally recognized children and family services nonprofit licensed by the States of Michigan and Ohio and accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children. The organization serves more than 4,000 children, families and professionals through strength-based residential and community-based programs in Albion, Battle Creek and Detroit, Michigan, and Van Wert and Columbus, Ohio. Services range from specialized treatment programs, treatment foster care, day treatment, mental health therapy and substance abuse. It also operates Montcalm Schools, a private therapeutic residential treatment program, and a variety of training for professionals working with youth.
Starr Commonwealth’s Hannah Neil Center is at 301 Obetz Road, Columbus, Ohio. Starr Commonwealth’s Van Wert campus is at 15145 Lincoln Highway.
For more information, please call 800-837-5591 or visit www. starr. org.
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