BE ABLE

Guiding Principles

God • Community • Collaboration • Integrity • Discernment

A Few Things About BE ABLE

We are a group that has collectively noticed the gaps and the individuals burdened by falling through.

We wanted to open up a shop for those out there who perhaps don’t fit in, are reluctant to move forward, or don’t know-how. We each have ample experiences with the fantastic social service organizations of the Manhattan area and have taken note of the growing need to serve those in the gaps. Operating from a stance of loving your neighbor as yourself, we will serve our neighbors with compassion, dignity, and respect.

Our Staff

Scott is a Manhattan native and leads the charge at Be Able. What we love the most about him is his innate ability to see the value of every person and his desire for everyone to belong. As you get to know Scott, you’ll see that he’s a connoisseur of circa 1990 comedy movies and fine dad jokes.

Scott Voos

Executive Director

Scott is a Manhattan native and leads the charge at Be Able. What we love the most about him is his innate ability to see the value of every person and his desire for everyone to belong. As you get to know Scott, you’ll see that he’s a connoisseur of circa 1990 comedy movies and fine dad jokes.

Marlon knows everyone… He probably already knows you! Marlon oversees our programming at Be Able from Art Therapy to Spanish classes to GriefShare to you name it. He sits on a number of local boards and has more keys on his keyring than there are doors in Manhattan.

Marlon Jackson

Program Director

Marlon knows everyone… He probably already knows you! Marlon oversees our programming at Be Able from Art Therapy to Spanish classes to GriefShare to you name it. He sits on a number of local boards and has more keys on his keyring than there are doors in Manhattan.

Stephanie has been a big part of Be Able for a long time. She gives oversight to our volunteer team and the process of how we best serve our neighbors. The only thing bigger than her last name is her heart!

Stephanie Grynkiewicz

Process Coordinator

Stephanie has been a big part of Be Able for a long time. She gives oversight to our volunteer team and the process of how we best serve our neighbors. The only thing bigger than her last name is her heart!

Lawrence is your best friend you’ve never met and leads our mentorship program. He’s willing to do anything and everything for a complete stranger. His bathroom cleaning skills are the stuff of legend, but something you may not know about him is that he’s an accomplished juggler.

Lawrence Rodriguez

Mentor Coordinator

Lawrence is your best friend you’ve never met and leads our mentorship program. He’s willing to do anything and everything for a complete stranger. His bathroom cleaning skills are the stuff of legend, but something you may not know about him is that he’s an accomplished juggler.

Jarad is new to the team in 2022 and specializes in the “behind the scenes'' effort at Be Able: fundraising, grant writing and he seems to be the only person able to reboot an electronic device. He often talks about his pickleball exploits, but what we hear is that he often gets soundly beaten by his retired friends.

Jarad Garren

Operations Director

Jarad is new to the team in 2022 and specializes in the “behind the scenes'' effort at Be Able: fundraising, grant writing and he seems to be the only person able to reboot an electronic device. He often talks about his pickleball exploits, but what we hear is that he often gets soundly beaten by his retired friends.

Val is one of the first people you’ll see when you walk through the front door and her smile will be the highlight of your week. She handles the daily chaos of phone calls and appointments like a seasoned pro. Though we’ve never seen it, she claims a talent of being a grandma that can do the splits.

Val Allen-Montague

Administrative Coordinator

Val is one of the first people you’ll see when you walk through the front door and her smile will be the highlight of your week. She handles the daily chaos of phone calls and appointments like a seasoned pro. Though we’ve never seen it, she claims a talent of being a grandma that can do the splits.

Our Board Members

"The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Greg Denver

President
University Christian Church Outreach Pastor

"The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

“Resiliency takes a community, and I want to be part of comeback stories, which can be stronger than setbacks.”

Lucas Shivers

Secretary
USD 383 Elementary Education Director

“Resiliency takes a community, and I want to be part of comeback stories, which can be stronger than setbacks.”

“I was drawn to Be Able because the people involved in this organization work hard to provide a community of love and support for our neighbors starting where they are. Teaching others to fish and supporting them in their journey is my life mission.”

Dee Johnson

Treasurer

“I was drawn to Be Able because the people involved in this organization work hard to provide a community of love and support for our neighbors starting where they are. Teaching others to fish and supporting them in their journey is my life mission.”

"Besides loving God, I don’t believe there is a greater calling than “to love your neighbor as yourself!” I want to help the Be Able Community make a difference."

Brad Roberts

Board Member
Retired Business Executive

"Besides loving God, I don’t believe there is a greater calling than “to love your neighbor as yourself!” I want to help the Be Able Community make a difference."

“I wanted to establish a connection between the Police force & a community project that makes a positive impact.”

Mark French

Board Member
Riley County Police Department Lieutenant

“I wanted to establish a connection between the Police force & a community project that makes a positive impact.”

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Cheryl Grice

Board Member
K-State University Director of Strategic Relations

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"There, but for the grace of God, go I."

Sara Fisher

Board Member
Salina Area Tech College Social Science Instructor

"There, but for the grace of God, go I."

“I love the Be Able Community Center because all people matter to God & here, they can experience that reality.”

Jake Voos

Board Member
Oak Park High School Teacher & Mentor

“I love the Be Able Community Center because all people matter to God & here, they can experience that reality.”

"I believe that all human beings should have a safe space to explore their potential and reach places previously thought to be unattainable. I am a listener. I want to hold space for people that want and need to be heard."

Gina Snyder

Board Member
Downtown Manhattan, Inc. Executive Director

"I believe that all human beings should have a safe space to explore their potential and reach places previously thought to be unattainable. I am a listener. I want to hold space for people that want and need to be heard."

"I am at Be Able because the mission, at its core, is to love our neighbors. I do!"

Autumn Fox

Board Member
Attorney

"I am at Be Able because the mission, at its core, is to love our neighbors. I do!"

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Our Supporters

Our Community Partners