Kathryn Tate is the President & CEO of The Legacy Center for Community Success, a role she has held since July 2019. Kathryn believes that education is the key to improving lives, which will, in turn, strengthen our entire community. It is through this lens that Kathryn leads The Legacy Center into its next chapter.
Prior to this role, Kathryn served as a Certified Prevention Specialist in a role shared by The Legacy Center for Community Success and Ten16 Recovery Network. Under this partnership, Kathryn took a lead role in coordinating the community’s response to substance use disorder and youth substance use prevention.
Kristi Kline is the Director of Student Reading Programs at the Legacy Center. She manages the Barton Dyslexia Tutoring Program including learner assessment, tutor training, and community outreach. She has been a Barton tutor since 2008 and earned her Level 1 certification in 2011. Kristi is a member of the International Dyslexia Association and is certified by the Center for Effective Reading Instruction as a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist. She earned her M.A. in Reading Science from Mount St. Joseph University in 2021.
Mark serves as the Director of Math Programs for The Legacy Center. In his role, Mark facilitates the intake of both adult and youth learners and supports them through graduation of our programs. He recruits, trains, and provides resources to volunteer tutors. Mark also provides interagency math training and serves as an individual tutor.
The pursuit of learning and service has guided Mark’s life work. Earning his Bachelors of Science in Education from Central Michigan University and his Master of Education through Saginaw Valley University offered Mark a fulfilling career as a teacher, coach, and administrator. Always striving to learn and grow, “Success is when hard work meets opportunity” is the message Mark applies to his daily life and as he encourages learners to achieve their own potential. Mark strikes a balance between his professional and personal life by spending time outdoors. He enjoys hiking new trails, boating on Hubbard Lake, and spending family time with his wife, daughters, and spunky R’Eskie (Rescued Eskie) named Bear.
Julie serves as the Director of Adult Literacy and English as a Second Language program. Julie is a retired school teacher with 30+ years of experience. She retired in 2017 from the classroom of Midland Public Schools and then started as one of the homebound teachers for the district. She holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree from SVSU and also a Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology from Michigan State University.
“I have always had a desire to learn more and to be a lifelong learner which is what I always want to share with my learners. I want to be able to help all learners of any age work toward the goals they have set for themselves.”
When not at work, Julie enjoys many different activities. She directs youth handbell choirs at her church and sings in her church choir. She also enjoys many different crafting projects and loves to shoot photography.
Alexis is the Prevention Collaboration Leader for The Legacy Center for Community Success. Her job consists of managing operations within community coalitions and collaborating with community leaders to communicate SUD-related issues within Midland County. She also works with integrating and increasing the awareness of countywide prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. Alexis works within local schools to help students and teachers understand substance use disorders and prevention towards substance usage.
Alexis received her Bachelors of Science in Health Science along with a Minor in Sociology from Saginaw Valley State University in 2021. Currently, she is working toward her certification for being a Certified Prevention Specialist. She is a Midland native so helping the community she grew up in is very important to her. Outside of work, Alexis spends time teaching ballet at a studio in Auburn as well as playing with her vizslapoo puppy.
Barb currently serves as the Prevention Services Coordinator for The Legacy Center for community Success. She is the DYTUR (Designated Youth Tobacco Use Representative) for Midland County and coordinates tobacco, vaping and other nicotine products related education and events. Barb also coordinates local drug take back education and events through our Dump Your Drugs! initiative with local law enforcement. Barb is responsible for the advertising and logistics of The Legacy Center’s parenting magazine, Youth Connections. She also assists with coordination of other prevention coalition objectives and activities.
Barb has worked for The Legacy Center for seven years and became a Certified Prevention Specialist in 2017.
Michelle Beeck is the Community Educator for The Legacy Center for Community Success. Her current role includes working closely with Northern Michigan Substance Abuse Services (NMSAS), Community Alliance for Youth Success (formerly Midland Area Partnership), law enforcement, local school districts and Alcohol and Tobacco retailers in Midland county to build assets to reduce risk taking behaviors such as underage alcohol and tobacco use, misuse and abuse of prescription drugs, and illicit drug use.
Michelle received her Bachelors of Science in Public Health Education from Central Michigan University in 2005 and recently earned a Certified Prevention Specialist certification. She has been married for 15 years to her wonderful husband and has two children.
Mathew (or Mat) serves as the Office Administrator for The Legacy Center. As Office Administrator, Mat ensures the day-to-day operations of our office run smoothly. Mat brings years of administrative support and customer service experience from both non-profit and retail settings to our team.