Our Staff
Fatima Lee She/Her
Farm Customer Service Assistant
Gardening was not a passion for Fatima until she became a garden coach. Then it became a passion for life. She believes that gardening is an excellent tool to teach about nature, food, and health. She also believes that if youth learn where their food comes from, understand the process of caring for plants, and take part in cooking what they grow, then they’ll enjoy eating healthy foods. Fatima is the mother of three wonderful children and grandmother of three fantastic grandchildren. Fatima enjoys reading, music, friends, harvesting from her garden, and cooking with her family. Fatima loves working at NCN because she shares the same beliefs.
Aby Vargas-Leon She/Her
Farm Apprentice
Aby is passionate about culture, creativity, and biodiversity, and finds common ground for these passions through agriculture. Originally from Mexico, she is a first generation farmer in the United States. Her first introductions to farming were through her father, who worked on orchards and farms through her childhood. This created a foundation of agricultural interest which only grew as she studied the environment and sustainability throughout her high school career. Aby’s dream is to bring her knowledge back home, to build a diverse and sustainable farm on her grandfather’s original farmland.
Perla Jorge She/Her
Farm Apprentice
Growing up on her grandfather’s fruit farm in the Dominican Republic, Perla was introduced to the value of providing food for her family and community at a young age. Years later in Michigan she was reintroduced to farming through her time WOOFing at a sustainable vegetable farm in Sparta. Perla finds value in the ways that farming can bring people from all cultures and backgrounds together for one common value. Perla is excited to gain wisdom on the process of growing food as a means to support oneself sustainably and abundantly.
Maggie McDonald She/Her
Farm Apprentice
Growing up in Grand Rapids, Maggie observed how food insecurity negatively affects community health and desired to work with an organization that provides food access and education. She has worked with New City Neighbors since graduating from Grand Valley State University in 2023, empowering youth to become more connected with their food and the land it comes from. Working outside with vegetables while getting to know neighbors is her favorite part of the job. In her free time she enjoys cooking without following a recipe and swimming in Lake Michigan!
Sammie Mikolitis She/Her
Farm Leadership Training Coordinator
Joanna Walters She/Her
Farm Customer Service Manager
Joanna has spent the last 15 years working in non-profits and youth programming. She received her degree from Albion College where she studied Exercise Science, Psychology, and English. She loves adventuring in the outdoors, teaching humans of all ages about conservation ecology, and experimenting in her garden. Her greatest loves are her husband and her two wonderful sons.
Joanna@newcityneighbors.org
Madison Hower She/Her
Farm Production Coordinator
Madison graduated from Grand Valley State with a BS in Environmental Science and Sustainability and discovered her love for vegetable growing at New City Neighbors. Madison loves to spend her free time outdoors, sharing coffee with her friends and family, and swimming in Lake Michigan. She loves farming because she gets to experience reciprocity everyday. She hopes to continue learning and growing while always keeping her hands dirty.
Madison@newcityneighbors.org
Adrianna Stack She/Her
Café Production Manager
Adrianna is the creative force behind the delicious baked goods at the New City Café. As our dessert expert, she brings unique flavors and seasonal flair to the menu each week. Inspired by her Grandma Lulu and growing up experimenting with new recipes, Adrianna fell in love with baking early on. A graduate of GRCC’s culinary program, she is passionate about holistic food and the power of youth education. Adrianna loves working alongside the café team and students, and feels fortunate to both teach and learn with the NCN community.
Avrey Smith He/Him
Café & Community Leadership Training Coordinator
With a background in youth ministry and a graduate of Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders (GRIL), Avrey is a mission driven champion for community impact through youth mentorship. You can find him either working in the café or leading students through leadership training. He uses his experience to reach young leaders and play a key role in their professional development. Affectionately nicknamed, “the Pizza Prince,” Avrey uses the café as an avenue to empower and welcome the growth of every highschooler that steps foot in the kitchen.
Avrey@newcityneighbors.org
Luke De Haan He/Him
Café Coordinator
Luke’s earliest memories are of helping his mom with the family garden behind their house. Growing and preserving food has been an important part of his family’s seasonal rhythms as far back as he can remember. When he’s not gardening, Luke loves expressing creativity through food. Food has been a way for Luke to explore cross-culturally. Four years in West Africa introduced him to myriad flavors and foods he would never have encountered in his home context. For him exploring and honoring another’s customs and traditions best happens around a dinner table.
Luke@newcityneighbors.org
Sierra West-Smith She/Her
Administrative Coordinator
Sierra has been involved with New City Neighbors for many years. She started working with the organization as a youth employee as a freshman in high school. Currently she is in college, earning a degree in Social Work. Sierra has passion for helping others and is excited to continue working toward empowering youth.
Sierra@newcityneighbors.org
Lance Kraai He/Him
Operations Director
Lance loves connecting with others through good work and good food. He has been engaged in social enterprise work for 10+ years including urban farming, café management, and building renovations. He holds a B.A. from Calvin College in Religion and an M.Div from Regent College. He is married to his wife Daina, and has three children–Myakah, Aiven and Syder.
Lancek@newcityneighbors.org
Ricardo Tavárez He/Him
Executive Director
Ricardo is passionate about community development, justice work, and equipping the next generation of urban leaders. He earned a dual bachelor’s degree from Kuyper College in Bible, and International Business & Marketing. He later obtained his M.Div from Calvin Theological Seminary. Ricardo was named as one of the 40 under 40 business leaders by the Grand Rapids Business Journal for 2022. He also serves as a local church pastor at En Vivo Church. In his free time you can find him enjoying the arts and spending time outdoors.
Ricardo@newcityneighbors.org