About Us
Our History
Lifeline Partnership was founded through the vision of Catherine "Bobbie" Meyers, whose determination to create an inclusive place for individuals with developmental disabilities began in the 1950s after her children were excluded from traditional Sunday school.
In 1954, Mrs. Meyers joined with 20 families to begin offering religious education in a welcoming environment. By 1958, First Trinity Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C., provided space for the growing program, which soon expanded to serve adults with developmental disabilities.
Following Mrs. Meyers' retirement in the 1980s, Lifeline Partnership became an independent nonprofit organization. Today, Lifeline continues her legacy by providing social, spiritual, educational, and recreational programs that foster friendship, independence, and inclusion for adults with developmental disabilities.
Our Mission
Guided by compassion and inclusion, Lifeline provides social and spiritual programs for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. We strive to create community and a sense of belonging for those who have often been marginalized because of disability
Meet The Team
Mary Bees
Executive Director
Mary Moxley has a heart for service and has worked for many years within the Developmental Disability/Intellectual Disability community in various capacities in residential, vocational, school and administrative settings. She has been instrumental in creating programming for the community, from lesson and plan development to organizing events to developing budgets. Mary is a passionate advocate for ensuring that the needs, goals, desires and wants of Lifeline participants are met; her years working in day to day direct service and the provider sector give her invaluable insight as Lifeline delivers its programs. Mary received an AAS in Human Services - Mental Health from Chesapeake College and her BSW from Salisbury University.
Andy Hackett President
Mr. Hackett is Vice President and Manager of DC operations for Cogency Global. Andy comes to Lifeline having experienced the joys and challenges of working with folks with developmental disabilities with a family member and close family friends. He received the 2019 Volunteer of the Year award from Lifeline.
Denise JonesVice President
Ms. Jones is a passionate certified personal fitness trainer who has been serving individuals with physical and developmental disabilities for over 5 years. She has been an active participant in the disability community since childhood. Denise learned American Sign Language (ASL) in elementary school and continued her ASL studies at Seton Hall University and Gallaudet University. She obtained a B.A. in Communication from Seton Hall University.
Pastor Tom Knoll
Treasurer
Reverend Knoll is retired from ministry and previously served on the Pastoral staff of First Trinity Lutheran Church in Washington D.C. He is a licensed and board certified social worker and was the Executive Director of Community Life Services, a parish based social service ministry, from 1982-2002. He holds numerous board positions including with the Capital Area Asset Building Corp., Trinity Landholding Corporation, New Course Restaurant & Catering, and the Urban Alliance. He received a BA in Psychology/Sociology and Theology from Concordia College, an M.Div. from Christ Seminary and an MSW from St. Louis University.
Heather Paradise Secretary
Maggie Angevine
Board Member
Ms. Paradise is a former Coast Guard
pilot and non-profit administrator. She is a member of First Trinity Lutheran Church and has enjoyed participating in Lifeline programming over the years. She looks forward to working with the Lifeline community more fully as a board member. She received a BS in Electrical Engineering from the US Coast Guard Academy and a Graduate Certificate in Adult Education from University of the District of Columbia
Ms. Angevine is the Public Relations Coordinator for the American Staffing Association, a nonprofit where she has worked since graduating college in 2022. She graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science. Maggie has had a strong passion for community service, involvement, and advocacy since high school.
Sandra Jackson
Board Member
Nick is a UMD graduate with a degree in Business Marketing. He loves the outdoors whether it's hiking Harper's Ferry or taking his kayaks out on the pond he loves it all. Nick has grown up in Bethesda but loves exploring other parts of the DMV area especially Rockville where he attended school. He wants to use his degree to work in advertising or something in that realm.
Mr. Jackson is an adult with a developmental disability and a very active volunteer for various non profits in the DC area. He is involved with the self-advocacy group Project ACTION!.
Ms. Jackson previously served at DC Advocacy Partners, a leadership training program for self advocates with disabilities and family members. She has also been a volunteer at Special Olympics. She has an adult sibling with developmental disabilities.
Cindy Shima Kauffman
Board Member
Cynthia (Cindy) Shima Kauffman is a seasoned professional with
decades of experience in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
(I/DD) and a fervent advocate for inclusive, person-centered support
systems. She is a proud recipient of being recognized as an ANCOR
Legacy Leader.
Cindy has been a dedicated advocate for inclusive, person-centered
support systems. Her career was inspired by personal experience as
a family member, motivating her to advance services that promote
autonomy and self-direction by individuals and families.
As a Legacy Leader, Cindy’s passion is to support and nurture future
leaders in the field. Cindy leverages her expertise in curriculum design
and educational instruction to develop innovative programs that
prioritize individual needs and aspirations.
Cindy’s background includes direct support roles, government service,
academic leadership at Maryland’s University Center for excellence in
Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), and executive positions at the
Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) where she contributed to
accreditation and business development. Cindy has cultivated a
wealth of knowledge and insights that enrich her contributions to the
disability community.
Susie King
Board Member
Ms. King worked with the District of Columbia Department of Human Service’s Family Services Administration in positions that included Social Science/Child Care Specialist, Contract Administrator and Policy Analyst. She received a BA degree in Sociology from Wilberforce University and a MA degree in Teaching from the University of the District of Columbia. As the parent of an adult with developmental disabilities, she has been active with organizations such as DC Parents and Friends of Children with Special Needs, the DC Developmental Disabilities Council and the Inclusion Research Institute.
Alex Loux
Board Member
Alex is a combined degree student at George Washington University, where she is earning a Bachelor’s in Human Services and Social Justice (HSSJ) and History, with a minor in American Studies, along with a Master’s in Public Administration. She served as and Events, Social Media, and Marketing Intern at Lifeline Partnership in Summers 2024 and 2025. Alex is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and in the future, she plans on pursuing a career in the human services field.
Michael Mattison
Board Member
Michelle Moxley
Board Member
John Priebe
Board Member
Michael (Mike) Mattison is a retired computer professional with the
State of Maryland’s Judiciary Information Systems. Mike is a lifetime
advocate for social justice and supporter of people considered
vulnerable. In his advocacy, Mike believes that everyone should have
the support to define and live lives of their choosing. Mike has a daily
commitment to feed people, and he lives this ministry by cooking and
organizing group efforts to provide meals for those who are struggling
financially, emotionally, or otherwise might not have adequate food.
Throughout his life, Mike had a commitment to people with disabilities
and became a voice and advocate as he became immersed in the
lives and challenges that people with disabilities often face. His wish
is to put his energies wherever he can be beneficial to one person at a
time to live a life they defined includes true belonging in whatever
communities he/she/they choose to frequent.
Michelle Moxley serves as a Senior Staff Accountant at Pusey, Hatter, & Associates LLC, where she has been a dedicated member of the firm for seven years. In this role, she specializes in payroll, taxes, and trusts, providing comprehensive financial guidance to clients. Michelle earned both her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and her Master of Science in Accounting from Wilmington University. Originally from Washington, D.C., and raised in Maryland, she currently resides in Delaware with her husband.
Mr. Priebe worked for the U.S. Bureau of the Census for over 40 years. He is a founding board member of Lifeline and very active with his church community at First Trinity Lutheran Church. He also serves on the Board of Largo Landing Fellowship House, one of the rent subsidized houses for low income persons run by Fellowship Square. He received a BS in Economics from South Dakota State University.
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Jane Pinsky
Board Member
Tom Roschke
Board Member
Crystal Thomas
Board Member
Jane Pinsky is an upcoming third-year student at American University, majoring in Business Administration and minoring in Jewish Studies. Jane is from Deerfield, Illinois, and has experience in the nonprofit sector. She has a strong passion for fundraising and advocacy. In Summer 2024, Jane was an Events, Social Media, and Marketing Intern for Lifeline Partnership.
Mr. Roschke held positions primarily as a computer programmer and information analyst for a variety of companies and clients including the US Treasury, MCI Communications, SHL Systemhouse, Compuware, Inc, and the Federal National Mortgage Corporation. He also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in India. He received a BA in Liberal Arts from Concordia College, an MA in Psychology from Wake Forest University and an MA in International Studies from Johns Hopkins University. He served as Lifeline’s Treasurer from 2007 to 2019.
Ms. Thomas is the Program Manager for the State Office of Policy, Planning and Innovation at the District of Columbia’s Department on Disability Services. Previously, she worked in Arlington County Department of Human Services for over ten years where she was responsible for development and implementation of policies and procedures, coordinating with partner agencies in the community and at the state and federal level, representing the agency at public meetings. Prior to joining Arlington County, Crystal had three years experience with an IDD provider in DC as the Director of Operations. Crystal began her human service career while she was still in college, as a youth counselor at the National Center for Children and Families. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park; a Master’s Degree in Human Sciences and Psychology from Hood College; and a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University.
Erica Thomas
Board Member
Erica Thomas is the Education and Outreach Manager at RCM of Washington, with over 20 years of experience in the disability services field. She is passionate about advocating for people with disabilities, particularly in employment supports, fostering healthy relationships, and promoting overall wellness. Erica enjoys spending time with family and friends and exploring the world through travel and new experiences.
Reverend
Judith VanOsdol
Board Member
The Rev. Judith VanOsdol is an ordained pastor in the ELCA, serving as the pastor of First Trinity since 2021. She previously served in parishes in Upstate and Metro New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Buenos Aires. She also served as Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop in the Upstate NY and Rocky Mountain synods. Pastor VanOsdol’s global mission service includes working in parish and synodical ministry in Argentina and as Program Director with the Latin American Council of Churches, forming ecumenical leadership teams with churches across Latin America to promote gender justice with a human rights focus. She later served as Program Executive for Gender Justice and Women’s Empowerment for the Lutheran World Federation in Geneva, Switzerland. Rev. VanOsdol has published books together with other leaders of gender justice teams in Latin America and brings a passion for our shared baptismal call to live out our faith in daily life. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Language and Linguistics and a Masters of Divinity (MDiv). She loves music and recharges by singing, walking, hiking, and exploring God’s gift of nature and the wonderful cultural offerings of Washington, DC.
Samayia
Samaiya is one of Lifeline Partnership's Social Media Summer Interns. She recently graduated from James Madison University and plans to continue her education at George Mason University, where she will pursue a Master's degree in Communication. During her internship, Samaiya looks forward to expanding her skills in social media, marketing, and public relations while collaborating with the Lifeline team and making a meaningful impact.
Aisha is a communications student with a concentration in digital production. She is dedicated to
creating inclusive and engaging experiences for individuals with diverse abilities. With a strong
interest in communication, media, film, and community engagement, she seeks to use creative
tools to foster connection and accessibility. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in media
production and digital storytelling, creating impactful content that amplifies diverse voices and
supports meaningful community engagement.