Meet the Staff & Support Team
Take Heart has a dedicated team of individuals who work with us to conduct intakes and teach college and career readiness. They are invaluable to our work!
​Melissa Hullinger
College&Career Reddiness Instructor
Melissa Hullinger is a passionate individual who has dedicated her life to investing in the lives of young people. She has a wide range of experiences working with individuals of all ages, and currently teaches preschool while also volunteering with teens and young adults. Melissa grew up in Bremen, Indiana, graduated from Bethel College in 2002, and lived in South Bend with her family until 2008 when they moved back to Bremen She got married in 2003 and had her only child, who recently graduated.
Komonique Camille Thomas
Intake Specialist/Case Manager
Komonique is a native of Chicago, IL and has lived in South Bend since 1998. She attended
South Shore Career Academy High School and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Michiana
College, majoring in Paralegal with a minor in Criminal Justice. She furthered her education at Bethel University where she studied Organizational Management for non-for profits.
Komonique’s background and focus on community collaboration has led her to several volunteer opportunities:
Notre Dame Community Base Learning Committee, The Homeless Working Group for the City of
South Bend, and The Safety Committee at Goodwill.
Komonique served 8 years in the United States Army National Guard. She is currently employed at
Anthem. Prior to this, she served
as the Coordinator for the GVI strategy assisting individuals with criminal backgrounds and victims
of violent crimes as well as providing support with education, job training, and job placement.
Komonique has received the following certifications:
Conflict Resolution, Crisis Intervention, Trauma Informed Care, Case Management, Don’t Train Your Leader-Develop Them, Effective After Care Planning and Implementation, Accessory Approaching
and Engaging RHY(Run Away Homeless Youth), Commercial Sex Exploitation of Children and Youth, Introduction to Poverty and Youth Development, Intersection of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking/Strategies for Supervisors, Reducing Restraint and Seclusion, Conflict Resolution and also Alcohol and the Family.
She also currently serves as an Ambassador for Lifelong Learning
system in collaboration with The Drucker Institute, has a Community Collection on Bendable, and currently serves on four boards:
LaSalle Park Homes, Mamas Against Violence, South Bend Housing
Authority, Comprehensive 20-year Planning Committee for the City of South Bend.