Shirley Caylor, CEO
Shirley Caylor is the co-founder of the Crisis Center, and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Shirley is a graduate of St. Mary of the Lakes College. She is a member of the Lake Area United Way Agency Execs; the Porter County United Way Agency Executives. She is the chairperson of the Consortium of Residential Providers; a member of the Indiana Youth Services Association; the National Network of Youth Services; The Times Editorial Advisory Board; Former President of Gary Rotary.
Shirley was inducted into the Society of Innovators, and honored at Northwest Indiana Times Women of Merit (2005).
In 2016, the National Safe Place Network honored Shirley with a 'Lifetime Achievement Award.'
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Barbara Wisdom, CFO
Barbara Wisdom is our Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Barbara has a post graduate certificate in accounting from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science degree in community psychology from Purdue University Calumet. She started her career at the Crisis Center by working part-time as a college student.
Barbara annually attends the AICPA conference for non-profit organizations' financial executives.
She is a founding member of a national focus group for non-profit finance and management executives, and also belongs to the National Association for Female Executives and the American Association of University Women.
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Brenda Comer, Director
Brenda Comer is the director for our shelter program, Alternative House. She also manages our clinical services and counseling services.
Brenda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology/psychology Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from University of Illinois at Chicago. Brenda is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); a Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor (LCAC); and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (CADC).
Brenda is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, The Lake County Continuum of Care, SAFE for Lake County-for Life, Alternatives to Detention Work Group, and Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative.
Brenda has experience in the health care industry, juvenile justice task force, community mental health. She is the founder and CEO of her own LLC (Social Werx). Brenda has served as a field supervisor for graduate level students from IUN, Purdue, Valpo U. UIC, Loyola and Governors State University.
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Sandra Porter-Phillips, Program Manager
Sandra Porter-Phillips, began managing our Teen Court program when the program was first started in 1989.
Sandy has a Master’s degree in Science Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana State University. Porter-Phillips is the chairperson of the Tobacco Coalition whose goal is to increase community’s awareness and award mini-grants.
Sandy is a member of COFFY (Community Organization for Families and Youth) a coalition of Gary-based services that meets to respond to the needs of Gary citizens.
Sandy is also on the board of the National Association of Teen Courts.
For information or referrals to Teen Court, call the Crisis Center, (219) 938-7070
Phillip Smith, Program Manager
Phillip Smith is the program manager for our Crisis Contact Hotline.
Bio coming soon.
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Lindsey Palaschak, Program Manager
Lindsey Palaschak is the program manager for our Wine Fest & Auction. She also manages the Crisis Center's Safe Place and Safely Home programs.
Lindsey has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Public Relations from Valparaiso University.
lpalaschak@crisiscentersyb.org
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History - Mission - Board of Directors - Careers - Finance
Our Remarkable Story
Volunteers began the Rap Line (crisis hotline) in 1971 in response to the tragic suicide of teenager Karen Leshk in 1971. Co-founders the Rev. Dr. Donald G. Capp and Shirley Caylor used thier persistence to obtain initial funding from the city of Gary's revenue sharing funds, and the center has grown to include the Alternative House emergency shelter for children and youth, Safe Place outreach to youth in crisis, Teen Court prevention and early intervention services for youth, and low-cost counseling services for community residents. Today, Caylor serves as CEO and leads a team of dozens of professionals who work to achieve our mission.
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Mission Statement, Photos, Service and Confidentiality
Mission Statement
Strengthening communities and empowering families with emphasis on children in need of shelter, safety and support.
Photos
Click here to view our photo albums on Facebook.
We Help
Any person, of any age, in personal crisis through our 24 hour services, range of services, and referrals throughout Indiana. We are an equal opportunity provider. Crisis Center, Inc. does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
Confidentiality
Read our privacy policy linked at the bottom of this page.
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Board of Directors
Matt Dilts - President
Thomas Stevens - Vice-President
Carla Houch - Vice-President
Gary R. Johnson - Secretary / Treasurer
Robert A. Anderson - Kreig-Devault
Andy Arnold - Precision Control Systems
Gordon Beckley - The Hammond Group
Alyce Butler - Ret. NIPSCO
Wendell Carey - QC/Pennzoil
Marc Chase - Northwest Indiana Times
E. Thomas Collins, Jr. - Clark St. Development
Vic DeMeyer - Ret. NIPSCO
Tammy Lynch - Swartz Retson
Aaron McDermott - Latitude Commercial
Tom McDermott, Sr.
Nadine McDowell - Ret. Attorney
Daniel L. Nita - Horseshoe Casino
Thomas O'Donnell - Attorney
Tom Ploski - Ret. Pepsi Cola Bottlers
Dr. Janet Seabrook - Community HealthNet, Inc.
Tom Sourlis - Mortar Net USA, Ltd.
Scott Steinwart - First Merchants Bank
David Van Dyke - Precision Construction
Robert Welsh - Welsh Holdings
Roger Wills - Ret. School Counselor
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Career Opportunities
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: Opportunities are posted as they become available. Instructions on how to apply are below. Open positions are announced below (with additional information on the program). Thank you for considering us. Best wishes on your career search.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit your resume in Adobe PDF format via email (type the available position in the subject line). See individual job descriptions for our official E-mail address where we accept resumes below.
Cover letters are optional (unless indicated). A representative from our agency will contact you if you are selected for an interview.
Part-Time positions available in the following departments:
1. Residential Staff (Click Here to view listing on the bottom of the program page).
2. Counselor (Click Here to view listing on the bottom of the program page).
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Financial Information
Our Funding
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Runaway & Homeless Youth Act; Indiana Dept. of Child Services; Indiana Dept. of Education; Indiana Youth Services Association (IYSA); Gary School Corporation (Chapter I); Lake Area United Way; Lake County Division of Child Services; Geminus; Anderson Foundation; City of Gary Emergency Solutions grant; corporations, churches, service clubs, and individuals.
Crisis Center, Inc. is an IRS-recognized, 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization.
We hold an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau, and our profile may be found on Guidestar.
Questions about the agency financial information should be directed to Barbara Wisdom
Click Here to email Barbara Wisdom.