Administration and Program Management

Shirley Caylor is the co-founder of the Crisis Center, and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Caylor 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.

Caylor 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.'

scaylor@crisiscenterysb.org

(219) 938-7070 ex. 2727

Barbara Wisdom is our Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

She 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.

bwisdom@crisiscenterysb.org

(219) 938-7070 ex. 2710

Gavin Mariano is the program manager for our Safe Place/Safely Home program, as well for our Teen Court program in Hammond.  He also serves as our Public Relations & Outreach Specialist, and our I.T support.  He is a certified, trained Human Trafficking awareness presenter for youth and community / business leaders. Gavin earned a B.A. from Indiana University Bloomington in 2001; and a Master of Social Work degree in 2014. He is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and an internationally-certified, Child and Youth Care Professional (CYC-P).   He serves on the IU Northwest Chancellor's Board of Advisors. Gavin was honored by the NWI Times as one of the "20 under 40" professionals in NWI for 2008, and was recognized as one of the "Who's Who in Indiana" by Building Indiana magazine for 2011.  

gmariano@crisiscenterysb.org

(219) 938-7070  ex. 2707

Sandra Porter Phillips, began managing our Teen Court program when the program was first started in 1989.

Mrs. Phillips 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. 

Mrs. Porter-Phillips 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. 

sphillips@crisiscenterysb.org

(219) 938-7070 ex. 2741

Brenda Comer is the director for our shelter program, Alternative House. She also manages our clinical services and counseling services.

Ms. Comer 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.

bcomer@crisiscenterysb.org

(219) 938-7070 ex. 2755

Sara Spruth is the program manager for our Crisis Contact Hotline. Sara is an alumni of Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Social Psychology. 

She is a certified ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) Instructor; AFSP certified Suicide Bereavement Support Group Facilitator; Love & Logic Instructor and LGBTQ Cultural Competency Trainer. Sara provides trainings and presentations to our community members, schools and organizations. 

She is actively involved in several NWI community organizations: Northwest Indiana Suicide Prevention Council; District 1 Disaster Response Mental Health Team; Human Trafficking Task Force; LGBTQ Coalition; Gary Drug-Free Communities Coalition and Domestic Violence Sex Assault Task Force.

sspruth@crisiscenterysb.org

(219) 938-7070 ex. 2708