Kae A. Eaton, MAT,Chaplain earned her Masters in Theology, with Spiritual Direction and Counseling Psychology from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology in 2010. After receiving a Degree Certification in Spiritual Direction at TSS in 2008, she was commissioned as Spiritual Director through Spiritworks. Kae became Chaplain and Director of the Mental Health Chaplaincy following the retirement of founder Rev. Dr. Craig Rennebohm. Kae's work as Chaplain and Companionship Trainer both locally and nationally with Pathways to Promise focuses on training people and groups in the Companionship Model for use in a variety of faith-based and secular settings. Through outreach and spiritual care Kae works with individuals, families, meal and shelter programs, and with organizations where no other chaplain is available to support those struggling with the isolating issues of mental, emotional or circumstantial difficulties.
Jessica Dexter, Associate Chaplain, works directly with people facing issues of homelessness, mental illness, and isolation. She assists the MHC and the various communities in partnership with the MHC, as she is able. Jessica also works as Program Development Associate for Pathways to Promise, managing the development and implementation of the Companionship program expansion nationwide. Jessica holds a Masters in Theology and Culture from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. Jessica has lived in Rwanda, studying genocide and peacebuilding, which significantly impacts her academic and professional work. Through her work with perpetrators of the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, (formerly) incarcerated people, veterans, and people living in homelessness, Jessica has deepened her passion to serve her community. It is her belief that the divine exists within compassionate relationships and mutual human connection.
Gary Schimek, Associate Chaplain, also provides social media support for the MHC. Gary works directly with people on the street heading up the Pizza Chaplaincy Program, with people facing issues of homelessness, mental illness, and substance use. You can follow his blog on Facebook at Pizza & Coffee Chaplaincy Blog. Gary holds a Chaplain Certificate from the Sati Buddhist Chaplaincy program. Gary was trained in the Companionship Model directly by our founder, Craig, in the late 1990's. Gary, with his entire family, served dinners to those just off the streets at the Lewiston Hotel housing project run by Plymouth Housing Group. He also served as a Sunday Morning Companion at Plymouth Congregational UCC for those living on the streets near the church.