FERNDALE – Last week, Affirmations announced the selection of Kim Phillips-Knope to oversee, evaluate and develop programs for metro Detroit's LGBT community.
Phillips-Knope currently runs her own Ann Arbor-based nonprofit consulting business, Educare Consulting, that specializes in research, evaluation and program development. Her areas of expertise include providing training and education for school systems on sexual minority youth and providing HIV education and prevention.
She has worked closely with the Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan Department of Community Health and Detroit Public Schools.
Before that, Phillips-Knope served as the first-ever paid executive director of the Jewish Gay Network of Michigan for just under a year.
"Kim Phillips-Knope is really the perfect choice for this position," said Affirmations Chief Administrative Officer Kathleen LaTosch.
"Her experience in areas where we need it most will only strengthen the programs at Affirmations.
"She brings a strong foundation in research, evaluation and training and her reputation for work in this community is outstanding."
In conjunction with the Michigan Department of Education, Phillips-Knope has led trainings across the state of Michigan on creating safe environments for sexual minority youth from Marquette to Kalamazoo, and has authored several publications on school climate.
"I am really pleased to be joining the very talented and dedicated staff at Affirmations," said Phillips-Knope. "With the downturn in the economy, it's more important than ever to provide needed support and services for the LGBT community and I am energized about the work ahead."
Deciding to be fiscally conservative in a tough fundraising year, Affirmations put a temporary hold on hiring for the position. Phillips-Knope started April 1 and is the first director of programs to join the staff of the Ferndale LGBT community center since the position was vacated by Knoll Larkin in June of 2009.
To learn more about Affirmations' current and upcoming programs, visit http://www.goaffirmations.org.
Kim Phillips-Knope to lead program development at Affirmations
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