Program Manager: Peggy Nielsen, MA, LPC
Peggy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has worked with Ele’s Place in Lansing, MI and was Executive Director at Erin’s House in Ft. Wayne, IN. Peggy started SandCastles in 1997 and has built it up to the 8 sites we currently have today. Peggy was instrumental in creating the Healing Hearts Camp, which merged with The Moyer Foundation in 2009 to become Camp Erin Detroit, and finally grew and branched off to become SandCastles Camp in 2019. Peggy is honored to be working in and furthering the field of children’s grief support and to have had the opportunity to build and grow these programs.
PROGRAM COORDINATORS
Kelly Beesley, MSW
Email: kbeesle1@hfhs.org
Kelly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Social Work. She has a variety of professional experience in healthcare, subacute rehabilitation, hospital, and emergency room social work. In 2014, after six years volunteering as program facilitator in Livonia and at Camp Erin, she was grateful for the opportunity to join the SandCastles team. Kelly is honored to be present for children and families during this time in their life and inspired by their ability to support each other, and find hope and healing.
Linda Van de Vyver
Email: lvandev1@hfhs.org
Linda joined SandCastles in 2003 as a Program Coordinator. Previously, Linda worked in banking as an International Banker Specialist. Linda’s love of working with children/teens came from her many years as a Youth Minister with her husband. Linda pursued further education in the field of Hospice. She is a graduate of Madonna University with a Master’s degree in Hospice and Palliative Studies. Linda enjoys working with the families to find hope and healing through this difficult time in their lives.
Katie Boczar
Email: kboczar@hfhs.org
Katie holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development with a concentration in Psychology from Central Michigan University. Her passion for helping children and their families has led her to a fulfilling career working with organizations such as the SeriousFun Children’s Network, The ROCK Center for Youth Development, and the Downriver YMCA. Prior to joining the SandCastles team, Katie worked with University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, assisting in the planning and implementation of executive education programming. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, learning to play guitar, and practicing yoga.
CLINICAL COORDINATORS
Jennifer Buell Haskamp, LMSW-CM
Email: jbuell1@hfhs.org
Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology and a Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in Family and Children’s Services. She has worked with Henry Ford Health System since 1998, joining the SandCastles team in 1999 where she has served in many roles over the years. Additionally, she has experience working in an inpatient adult, dual diagnosis, psychiatric hospital setting. Jennifer is also a part-time faculty member in the Sociology Department at Schoolcraft College. Jennifer has a great passion for her work here at SandCastles and feels truly honored to walk this incredible grief journey alongside our families.
Leah Bengel, LMSW
Email: lbengel1@hfhs.org
Leah attended SandCastles when her mom died in 2009. After participating in the program with her family, Leah wanted to help others so she came back to volunteer as a teen buddy then as a camp facilitator. Through the support that Leah received as a SandCastles participant, Leah decided to pursue her dream as a social worker. She received her Bachelors in Social Work at Central Michigan University and Masters in Social Work at Michigan State University. Leah worked as a hospice social worker following grad school. Leah’s dream was to return to SandCastles to pursue her passion in children’s grief. Leah is ecstatic to be able to pursue her dream job through the same program that provided so much support to her and her family following her mom’s death. Leah is humbled to be part of the grief journey for children and their families.
Lizanne Chisholm, MA, LPC, NCC
Email: lchisho1@hfhs.org
Lizanne holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Counseling, specializing in mental health. She is nationally board certified and also a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Michigan. Lizanne has been with SandCastles since its inception in 1997, starting as a volunteer and then hiring in as staff in 1999. Additionally, she has a private practice in Lake Orion, MI where she works individually with clients of all ages related to trauma, grief, and other loss issues. Lizanne appreciates being a beacon of hope while helping to create a healing place for families with so many caring hearts at SandCastles.
Timothy Holmer, LMSW
Email: tholmer1@hfhs.org
Tim has been with SandCastles since its inception, starting initially as a volunteer and then as a Clinical Coordinator in 1997. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Wayne State University and a certificate in End-of-Life Care from Smith College. Tim has worked as a hospice social worker, volunteers his time, and is an artist.
Charlie Larzelere – SandCastles Intern
Email: clarzel1@hfhs.org
Charlie Larzelere is a bachelor’s student at the Wayne State University School of Social Work and is excited to be interning with SandCastles this year! He joined SandCastles as a camp facilitator this summer and will continue to facilitate groups throughout the year. He has a background in grief support, having attended Camp Kesem throughout his childhood and later returning as a counselor during college. Currently, he works as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at an ABA clinic in Detroit, where he enjoys connecting with kids and meeting them where they are to provide the care and support they deserve. In his free time, Charlie loves watching movies, spending time outside, and hanging out with his cat, Gizmo.
Navaarah Khan – SandCastles Intern
Email: nkhan22@hfhs.org
Navaarah Khan is a Master of Social Work student at Wayne State University, pursuing a dual-title degree in Infant Mental Health. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work, where she developed a strong interest in child development. At SandCastles, Navaarah facilitates peer support groups and helps create safe, nurturing spaces for grieving children. Outside of her internship, she works part-time supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and volunteers in her community to connect families with local resources. In her free time, Navaarah enjoys reading, shopping, and spending time with her loved ones.
To reach our main office, please email sandcastles@hfhs.org or call 313-771-7005.