About

Our Mission

Living & Learning is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Northville. Our mission is to enhance the lives of our participants with disabilities. Through therapeutic, social, work-based, and community engagement, we seek to support, enrich, inspire, and embolden our participants and their families so they can achieve their goals.

Our Vision

Living and Learning Enrichment Center’s vision is to become the nation’s model in supporting the highest quality of life for people with disabilities and their families.

Our Impact

Job Placements

Weekly Skill Building Participants

Business Partners

Participant Cities

Paticipant Counties

Volunteers

Our Story

Living & Learning Enrichment Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by Rachelle Vartanian. Rachelle graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in teaching for the emotionally impaired. Right out of college, she worked at lock up center for adjudicated youth. She was passionate about this and worked with this population for over ten years. During this time, she went back to school and obtained a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Personality & Development. She did this to better understand why so many of her students chose to behave in self destructive manners.

It was also during this time Rachelle was seeing signs of autism in her youngest son. When he was officially diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, she made the decision to go back to school and get a second Master’s Degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Madonna University. It was also during this time, she started teaching high school special education in Farmington Public Schools.

Looking for social skills groups that would benefit her son brought her to the realization that there were few and far between. The ones that were available cost an exorbitant amount of money and had her driving forty-five minutes each way. She took it upon herself to create her own group locally. Every Sunday at 1pm, in a room she rented at the Farmington Public Library, she facilitated a group of like-minded individuals which they called Weamara (the initials of the original social skills group members) for almost two years.

She took a leap of faith and quit her job after being a special education teacher for 20 years when a buy-out was offered at the school district she worked at. Selling her family home of twenty years, drawing money from her retirement, and downsizing her life allowed Living & Learning to be born.

Our Team

Rachelle Vartanian

President & Founder
M.Ed Psy, M.ASD (Master of Education-Psychology, Masters-Autism Spectrum Disorder), B.S. Teaching Students with Severe Emotional Issues K-12. Former special education teacher (20 years). Mother of an adult with autism.

Pamela Travis

Executive Director
B.A. Madonna University, M.A.T. Marygrove College, Special Education Certification Wayne State University, Former teacher (14 yrs), Mother of a child with special needs.

Dennis Howie

Director of Development

Darcie Cashwell

Development Coordinator

Ethan Pepple

Strategy | Development

Pam Avdoulos

Human Resources Director

Nawal Hamade

Donor Relations Coordinator

Jennifer Provenzano

Grants | Outreach Coordinator

Abby Hanus

Intake Coordinator

Markeysha London

Office Administrator

Lily Newcomb

Marketing | Social Media Coordinator

Jen Carpen

Director of Vocational Services

Ashley Davis

Assistant Director of Vocational Services | OCHN Case Manager

Ethan Erlandson

Assistant Director of Vocational Services | Employment Services

John Page

DWIHN Case Manager

Emma Rich

Satellite Case Manager

Dalton Pecar

Employment Services Coordinator

Gina Plonka

Vocational / HR Generalist

Matthew Marx

Community Partnership Lead

Tina Spencer

Art Director

Erica Miletti

Program Director | Clinical Therapist

Alyssa Parros

Clinical Director

Nadine Ali

Assistant Clinical Director

Colleen Farrar

Program Manager

Melissa Cooper

Event Coordinator

Jodie Roden

Volunteer Coordinator | Events Assistant

Ron Thomas

Chief Financial Officer

Cathie Gallant

Parent Liason

Jacob Gutierrez

Property Manager

Griffin Simmons

Employment Services Administrator

Board of directors

Tom McLean, Board President

Tom McLean is the president of the board of directors.

Karen Obsniuk, Vice President

Karen L. Obsniuk, Ph.D., serves as the Vice President of the Board for the Living and Learning Enrichment Center, bringing her extensive background in education and administration. As the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Madonna University since 1996, her career encompasses roles as a teacher, school administrator, and adjunct faculty. Dr. Obsniuk holds a Ph.D. in Administration and Supervision with a focus on curriculum, and an M.A. in English Literature from Wayne State University. Her teaching expertise includes educational practice and action research, with interests in educational change, student behavior, literacy intervention, and teacher work-life quality. Dr. Obsniuk’s research primarily engages with teachers, school administrators, and EL learners, showcasing her commitment to educational excellence. Active in state and local educational initiatives, she serves on several committees and boards, reflecting her dedication to enhancing educational outcomes at all levels.

Ronald Hodess, Secretary

Ron Hodess serves as a Board Member and Board Secretary of Living and Learning Enrichment Center. A Principal Attorney at Miller Canfield, he brings a wealth of legal expertise and experience to Living and Learning. Ron values Living and Learning’s programs for their vital support to people with disabilities. Volunteering to help those in need, he aspires to guide the Board in achieving his vision for Living and Learning to become the best-in-class provider for people with disabilities. Ron’s hope is to use his skills to ensure Living and Learning’s future growth and establish it as a leading provider in the field. Ron lives in West Bloomfield with his spouse Sue, and sons Jay and Andy, who both attend Living and Learning programs. Ron is also the Board Chair of the Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield and is on the Board of the Autism Alliance of Michigan.

Chris Dancy, Director

Chris Dancy is a distinguished Board Member of Living and Learning Enrichment Center and an inaugural member of the organization. President of Dancy Executive Search, Chris has earned a BS in Economics from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He is inspired by Living and Learning’s mission and the leadership of the organization. A strong believer in giving back to the community, Chris has specific expertise in recruiting and hopes to use this to enhance Living and Learning’s team. His vision is for Living and Learning to become one of the best places for people with disabilities in the state.

Holly Heath, Director

Holly serves as a board member at Living and Learning Enrichment Center, leveraging her extensive background in special education and leadership. With a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, a master’s from Eastern Michigan University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Wayne State University, Holly’s career spans over 30 years. She began in 1993 with Livonia Public Schools, later becoming the Transition Coordinator for Northville Public Schools, focusing on aiding students with disabilities transition from school to adulthood. In 2019, Holly became the Executive Director of the Community Opportunity Center in Livonia, dedicating her efforts to support adults with developmental disabilities. Her expertise in navigating the mental health system and her commitment to improving transition outcomes for individuals with disabilities enrich her role at Living and Learning.

John Czarnecki, Director

John Czarnecki is a dedicated Board Member of Living and Learning Enrichment Center. Associated with the American Physical Therapy Association and the Michigan Physical Therapy Association, John’s commitment goes beyond professional affiliations, as he is the father of a 25-year-old son with autism. A co-founder of the Ted Lindsay Foundation, John recognizes the importance of Living and Learning’s services. His personal connection fuels his desire to provide enjoyment and belonging for people with disabilities. John’s vision includes establishing an endowment for Living and Learning’s future growth and creating a model for inclusion.

Minoti Rajput, Director

Minoti Rajput, a Board Member at Living and Learning Enrichment Center, is a Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Special Needs Consultant with an MBA. She founded Secure Planning Strategies nearly four decades ago, focusing on financial and estate planning for affluent professionals and business owners. A national expert in special needs planning, Minoti has assisted over 1500 families, dedicating her career to ensuring lifelong care for individuals with disabilities. She is also the author of “Beyond a Parent’s Love,” a testament to her commitment to special needs advocacy. Minoti’s passion extends to empowering women in financial independence and contributing to the community through her volunteer work with various special needs organizations. She lives in West Bloomfield, Michigan, with her family.

John Avdoulos, Director

John Avdoulos, AIA, lends his architectural expertise and leadership skills to the Living and Learning Enrichment Center board. With degrees in architecture from Lawrence Technological University and a Michigan state architectural license since 1993, John’s professional path includes roles at prestigious firms, highlighted by his current position as Partner and Shareholder at HKS, Northville, MI. His commitment to the community is evident through his service on the City of Novi Planning Commission and as a long-standing member of the Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church council, where he has served as both President and Vice President. John’s blend of professional accomplishment and community involvement enriches his contributions to Living and Learning.

Michael Daranyi, Treasurer

Michael Daranyi is Vice President, Finance and Treasurer for ITC Holdings Corp., headquartered in Novi, Michigan. He is responsible for all treasury and cash management activities, financial planning and analysis, management reporting and risk management, and insurance functions for the company.

Mr. Daranyi began his finance career in 1983. Prior to joining ITC in 2017, he served in various corporate finance management roles with Tucson Electric Power/UNS Energy Corporation, a Fortis company based in Tucson, Arizona. Before joining Tucson Electric/UNS in 1997, Mr. Daranyi served in a variety of finance functions in the medical and manufacturing industries.

Before moving to Michigan in 2017, Mr. Daranyi worked with two local non-profit boards in Tucson. He served for many years on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of a nonprofit that supported the aging population, and he served as Treasurer of a regional ballet company. In addition to using his business acumen to support community initiatives, he is a strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion. With a multicultural background, Mr. Daranyi is a proponent of bringing awareness and celebration to cultural differences and encouraging equity and inclusion in our businesses and communities.

Mr. Daranyi earned a Master of Business Administration in finance from Golden Gate University and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Arizona.

Mr. Daranyi and his wife reside in Plymouth, Michigan.

Pamela Travis, Executive Director

B.A. Madonna University, M.A.T. Marygrove College, Special Education Certification Wayne State University, Former teacher (14 yrs), Mother of a child with special needs.

Rachelle Vartanian, President and Founder

M.Ed Psy, M.ASD (Master of Education-Psychology, Masters-Autism Spectrum Disorder), B.S. Teaching Students with Severe Emotional Issues K-12. Former special education teacher (20 years). Mother of an adult with autism.

Our Member Advisory Board

Our Member Advisory Board is comprised of dedicated individuals who generously volunteer their time to shape the future of Living and Learning Enrichment Center. These invaluable members, who are directly involved in our programs and services, offer essential feedback and insights that drive our organizational growth.

Through quarterly meetings with leadership and staff, our Member Advisory Board plays a pivotal role in ensuring our programs align with the evolving needs and interests of the individuals we serve. Their contributions inform our short- and long-term planning, from enhancing facility accessibility to developing innovative program offerings. By centering the voices of those we support, we are committed to creating a truly person-centered organization.

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Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At Living and Learning Enrichment Center, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all members, employees, board members, volunteers, donors, and community partners are respected and valued.
We recognize and celebrate the richness that diverse life experiences and perspectives bring to our organization. These contributions are integral to our mission of enhancing the lives of people with disabilities and their families.
We are committed to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion practices into every aspect of our work, including equal opportunities for employment, volunteering, and advancement. Our goal is to create a safe, nurturing, and accepting space where everyone can thrive and be themselves.
We pledge to uphold these principles in all our interactions with our members, employees, volunteers, and the broader community.