Meet Our Staff

Liberty (Barrett) Thompson – Founder, Executive Director

Liberty Thompson serves as Executive Director of JEMfriends, providing leadership in organizational vision, financial stewardship, and program operations. She is passionate about continually improving how JEMfriends serves youth, volunteers, donors, and the broader community, creating meaningful experiences that inspire transformation and connection.
With more than 20 years of experience mentoring and coaching youth and young adults, Liberty brings strengths in big-picture thinking, leadership, determination, and fiscal stewardship. She is particularly proud of developing JEMfriends’ Independent Living Plan framework, which helps guide youth on their journey toward independence and long-term success.
Liberty is driven by the belief that no one should be overlooked and that every person deserves to be valued for who they are, not their circumstances. Through her leadership, she hopes to see lives transformed, inspiring youth to move beyond the limitations of their past and empowering everyone who encounters JEMfriends to become part of something bigger than themselves.

Mercy Sorich – Operations Manager

 Mercy Sorich serves as JEMfriends’ Operations Manager, overseeing staff and volunteer training, project management, financial systems, technology, and organizational operations. She enjoys turning big ideas into actionable plans and finding efficient, creative ways to help the organization thrive.
With experience in training and development and a certification in Project Management (CAPM), Mercy brings strengths in process improvement, project planning, systems development, and problem-solving. She is passionate about helping teams succeed and equipping organizations with the tools and structure needed to maximize their impact.
Mercy was drawn to JEMfriends by the opportunity to use her gifts to help others reach their full potential. Inspired by the challenges young people face as they transition into adulthood, she is committed to helping build the support systems and resources youth need to succeed. Through her work, Mercy strives to steward JEMfriends’ resources well so the organization can serve even more youth for years to come.

Alexis Flores – Project Engagement Coordinator

Alexis Flores serves as JEMfriends’ Program Engagement Coordinator, leading youth recruitment, onboarding, outreach, and engagement while helping cultivate a supportive and connected program culture. She also assists with staff, mentor, and Resident Advisor training and supports the growth of the JEMalumni network.

Alexis brings experience working with at-risk youth, serving in youth leadership programs, and supporting young adults in residential settings. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in trauma, addictions, and children and family studies, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her strengths in relationship-building, creativity, strategic thinking, and optimism help foster meaningful connections with the youth she serves.

Drawn to JEMfriends’ faith-based mission, Alexis is passionate about ensuring every young person feels supported, valued, and believed in. Through her work, she hopes youth gain hope for their future, recognize their worth, and discover the unique difference they can make in the world.

Faith Pinedo – Giving Specialist

Faith Pinedo serves as JEMfriends’ Giving Specialist, overseeing donation processing, donor acknowledgment, and gift stewardship. She loves building relationships with donors and helping every supporter feel welcomed into the JEMfriends family from the very beginning.

With experience in donor relations, administrative support, and data management, Faith brings exceptional attention to detail along with a joyful and friendly spirit. She is passionate about creating meaningful donor experiences and ensuring supporters understand the impact of their generosity.

Faith was drawn to JEMfriends after learning about the challenges many youth face when aging out of foster care. As a licensed foster parent, she is passionate about providing hope and support for young people as they transition into adulthood. Through her work, Faith strives to build trust with donors and help connect them to the life-changing impact their gifts make possible.

Jennifer Polanchek – Community Outreach Specialist

Jennifer Polanchek serves as JEMfriends’ Community Outreach Specialist, building relationships with community partners, businesses, and supporters to expand awareness and engagement with the organization’s mission. She is passionate about connecting people with opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of youth.

Jennifer brings experience in business-to-business sales, customer relations, and career services, along with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Providence. Her background in relationship-building and community engagement helps strengthen partnerships that support JEMfriends and the youth it serves.

Jennifer was drawn to JEMfriends because she believes every young person deserves someone in their corner as they work toward an independent and fulfilling life. She finds great purpose in helping youth recognize their potential and ensuring they have the support needed to build a brighter future. Through her work, Jennifer helps connect the community to opportunities to invest in and encourage the next generation.

Priscilla Breck – Marketing & Communications Manager

Priscilla Breck serves as JEMfriends’ Marketing & Communications Manager, leading organizational messaging, strategic communications, fundraising campaigns, and community engagement efforts. She is passionate about telling the stories of JEMfriends in a way that honors each youth’s journey while inspiring others to become part of the mission.

With more than 20 years of experience in marketing management, business leadership, and event planning, Priscilla brings strengths in strategic thinking, communication, writing, and long-range planning. She holds an MBA and has played a key role in developing and strengthening JEMfriends’ messaging and donor engagement strategies.

Priscilla was drawn to JEMfriends through her long-standing passion for supporting youth aging out of foster care. As the parent of two young adults, she understands how much support, encouragement, and guidance young people need as they launch into independence. Through her work, she hopes to help JEMfriends grow its impact, engage the community in meaningful ways, and create brighter futures for the youth the organization serves.

Krista Bell – Independent Living Specialist

Krista Bell serves as an Independent Living Specialist at JEMfriends, walking alongside youth as they work toward their goals and build the skills needed for independent living. She is passionate about encouraging young people, learning their stories, and helping them discover the unique potential within them.

Krista brings valuable experience as a professional life coach, certified financial coach, foster and adoptive parent, and mentor. Known for her compassion, empathy, and consistency, she is deeply committed to helping youth navigate life’s challenges with confidence and hope.

Drawn to JEMfriends by its heart for youth, Krista’s passion for serving young people aging out of foster care is rooted in her own family’s foster care journey. Through her work, she hopes to help youth see themselves through a lens of value, purpose, and possibility while empowering them to pursue the future ahead of them.

Aaron Hancock – Independent Living Specialist

Aaron Hancock serves as an Independent Living Specialist at JEMfriends, helping young men in the program build the skills, confidence, and support systems needed to achieve independence. His favorite part of the role is developing lasting relationships with youth and celebrating their progress as they reach important goals.

Aaron brings experience in youth ministry, community outreach, and resource connection, including serving as a Pastor of Community Connections where he helped individuals and families access support services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Youth and Family Ministry and has specialized training in trauma-informed care. Known for his empathy, encouragement, and goal-oriented approach, Aaron helps youth navigate challenges while staying focused on their future.

Drawn to JEMfriends by its mission and the life-changing impact it has on young people, Aaron is passionate about serving youth aging out of foster care with the same compassion demonstrated in the story of the Good Samaritan. Through his work, he hopes every young person he encounters experiences hope, meaningful support, and the love of Christ as they move toward a brighter future.

Volunteer Staff