The Delta Project is committed to amplifying the stories of students caught in the cycle of incarceration.
The Delta Project began in 2017 with a desire to use simple human storytelling to help people see their circumstances from a different perspective.
How do I
become
something
I don’t see?
From this simple, yet powerful question—the Delta Project was formed.
For West Michigan youth and young adults who have been or are at risk for being engaged with the juvenile justice system, our programming helps them to find their voices and proactively envision a future of their choosing.
Our vision for The Delta Project is to help our youth gain the self-confidence needed to successfully navigate life challenges and opportunities, so they can pursue their interests and dreams.
Our Founders
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Cole Williams
Executive Director
Cole is a motivational speaker, fatherhood consultant, facilitator, and the Founder of “Cole Speaks”. His background includes the creation and leadership of programs that work to empower and restore relationships between boys and men of color. Most importantly, Cole is a father to seven sons.
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Joel Van Kuiken
Co-Founder
Joel’s professional background is in communications, public relations, digital media and design thinking and he is passionate about helping channel ideas into reality. In 2020 he left his corporate job to dedicate his time to drive the vision of The Delta Project, ensuring its sustainability into the future.
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Eric Johnson
Co-Founder
Eric is a founding partner at Gorilla, a nationally recognized creative studio focused on human centered storytelling. His passion for the Delta Project is inspired by his four boys: three adopted and one biological. He is compelled to see the world through their eyes–a lens which has revealed vast inequalities, and which inspires him to advocate for issues of equality.
The Team
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Mariel Harmon
Accountant
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Shanda Vaughn
Youth Program Facilitator
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Caton Vance
Content Strategist, Media Room Director
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David Turpen
Editor and Instructor
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Bilal Al-Raed
Intern
from then to now—
What started as a group of people with a shared vision for a better future is becoming an Instrument for change.
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![Group of kids and team members]()
2017
A Shared Vision
A group of people committed to amplifying the stories of students caught in the cycle of incarceration.
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![two participants from the Conversations project]()
2019
Powerful Conversations
The Conversations Project provides kids who are dealing with the juvenile justice system the opportunity to produce and shoot a video production of an interview with a community member. Working closely with professionals, participants learn, practice, and execute roles on an interdisciplinary video production team.
This first series was the catalyst to make The Delta Project more.
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![Delta Project logo]()
2020
501c3 Status
The Delta Project was formally incorporated as a non-profit in September of 2019 and received their 501c3 status in March of 2020. As a non-profit organization The Delta Project created an expanded vision and mission for their work and is currently offering three programs as well as the Delta Project Community Resilience Fund.
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![Cole Williams]()
2021
Taking Action in Justice Reform
Co founded, Cole Williams, was appointed to the Task Force on Juvenile Justice that focused on analyzing our juvenile justice system, while recommending proven practices and strategies for reform grounded in data, research, and fundamental constitutional principles.
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![The Delta project podcast studio]()
2023
What I Know Now Podcast Launches
Our podcast features compelling stories about system-impacted youth, their families, and their communities.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Kareem Scales
President
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Selma Tucker
Vice President
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Amy Lindholm
Secretary
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Blythe Kazmierczak
Treasurer
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Eric Freeman
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Ken Miguel-Cipriano
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Gayle DeBruyn
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Joseph Belsito
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Will Templeton
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Stacy McGinnis
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Melissa Werkman
OUR VOLUNTEERS
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Jordan Murphy
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Joe Gamino Kirkhoff
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Eric Machiela
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Isaac Schultz
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Josh Geyer
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Tyler Grimm
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Tyler Hollman
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Grant Floering
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Kyle Campbell
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Jeff Sukes
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Jason Grinde
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Eric Heemstra
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Jake Weibel
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Dani Dillon
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Chloe Malmquist
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Cameron Versluis
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Jason Baker
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Dominic Cipolla
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Malik Robinson
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Calvontae Liptrot
OUR PARTNERS
We wouldn’t be here without the help of our partners. Do you want to help support our mission? Contact Us to learn how.
The Delta PRoject Media Room
Check out our most recent podcast episodes, videos, and articles where we share real stories about lived experiences and updates about our advocacy work inside juvenile justice reform.
Section Styles summary-carousel
Share
Your Story
If you have a lived experience inside the juvenile justice system—we want to share your story through the Delta Project.
Share
our Story
Are you inspired by our work? Then share our story to help improve the impact of The Delta Project.