Meet Our Facilitators
Healing of Racism programs are offered as 2-day session facilitated in tandem by two of the experts listed here:
Christy Barrett
Director of Nonprofit Operations, Humanergy, Inc.
Christi Tobin Barrett has 22 years of experience in human services, 14 of which were with Starr Commonwealth. She has developed and implemented training, provided strategic planning and designed/refined program interventions. She also provided grants and contracts management, including working with diverse groups to set goals, design programs and obtain funding from a variety of sources. She is a certified facilitator for Healing of Racism, and has also provided training on fundamentals of child welfare, grants management and diversity issues. Christi has a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Indiana University and is a co-author of In Whose Best Interest: One Child’s Odyssey, A Nation’s Responsibility and Putting Connectedness, Continuity, Dignity and Opportunity to Work.
Anthony Cox
Youth Specialist, Starr Commonwealth
Tony Cox has been serving children and families for more than 17 years. Though his educational background is in managerial marketing and economics, his love for children and helping others redirected his business aspirations. Tony taught for many years and encouraged his students and colleagues in the importance of diversity and sensitivity to those of different ethnic backgrounds. He was never shy about speaking openly about racism and how it tears at the fabric of our imperfectly woven society. For years he studied American History and African American History and was of the belief that the two couldn’t be separated. In 1997, Starr Commonwealth welcomed the Healing of Racism Institute to its organization, and Tony embarked upon a journey that provided him with the opportunity to become one of the facilitators for the Healing of Racism.
Gary Hammontree
Director of Physical Plant (Retired), Starr Commonwealth
Gary Hammontree began his work with the Healing of Racism under Nathan Rustein in 1996 and since that time has lead more than 300 individuals through the Healing of Racism process. Gary has also dedicated himself to serving young people through his career at Starr Commonwealth (he’s worked there for 31 years!) and his involvement in the community. He served the Boy Scouts of America for more than 20 years, has been an advisor to the International Order of Jobs Daughters and is a Sunday school teacher. Throughout the years he has also provided direction to children in renovating houses for homeless women with children, and other projects. An active member of his community, Gary was been a village council member, village president, and has been a board member of a number of community organizations. He received his degree from Kellogg Community College, with additional coursework at Western Michigan University. Gary enjoys backpacking, likes playing the banjo and is an exceptional woodworker! He’s often donated the proceeds from his wood creations (including beautifully hand made fountain pens) to help the children and families of Starr Commonwealth.
Dr. James Longhurst
Senior Vice President of Clinical and Psychological Services, Starr Commonwealth
Jim Longhurst's ability to connect with teens, parents and staff is a tribute to his engaging, refreshing and down-to-earth manner. Our parents will be the first to tell you – Jim can make even the most complex issue understandable and manageable. Jim joined Starr commonwealth in 1973 and has been involved in administering and providing clinical services ever since. Today, Jim’s influence can be felt all across the organization where he oversees all therapeutic models in Michigan and provides clinical direction for increased quality of care. And Jim’s influence doesn’t stop there. His ground-breaking work on Starr’s innovative No Disposable Kids® program, with its emphasis on creating positive peer cultures in today’s schools, is receiving national attention for its relevancy and effectiveness. His efforts with Albion Public Schools resulted in the successful – and the first of its kind – implementation of a two-year Anti-Bullying Program. Jim received his undergraduate degree, his Masters in Counseling and his Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University. He’s a member of the American Psychological Association, Michigan Psychological Association and the American Correctional Association. Jim is a lead trainer for No Disposable Kids, a certified facilitator for Starr’s Oneness of Humankind initiative, and an adjunct professor at Albion College.
Ken Ponds
Chaplain, Starr Commonwealth
In his role as Chaplain, Ken provides a ministry of Word and Sacrament to both students and staff. Through the ministry, weekly worship services are provided as well as pastoral counseling, and education in the areas of comparative religions, religious instruction, spirituality, human sexuality values clarification and the resolution of grief. In addition, over the years he has provided leadership and direction for Starr's highly successful "Working With Children of Color" Institutes. Previously, Ken held the position of Director/Supervisor of the Outdoor Adventure Education Program; the Fine Arts Program; and the on-campus Health Services/Clinic. Ken received an Associate of Arts Degree from St. John's College, Winfield, Kansas. His Bachelor of Science Degree is from Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and a combined Masters of Divinity Degree from Christ Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., St. Louis University, Edens Theological Seminary, Webster Groves, Mo., and the Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago. In addition he has received additional training and, or, certification in various aspects of Human Services including Specialized Foster Care; Childhood Sexual Victimization; Personal Identity and the Black Experience; Adolescent Suicide; Family Systems; Life Space Crisis Intervention; the Healing of Racism; Antiracism Training; and Outdoor Adventure Education facilitation.