Beth has been a resident of Forsyth County for over 20 years. She and her husband, Steve, have one daughter, Carolyn, and have been foster parents and legal guardians to Ian, their profoundly handicapped foster son, for over 25 years.
Beth is a founding member and the first President of Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton as well as the founding member and President of Homestretch in North Fulton Co. Beth was PTA President at Big Creek Elementary, South Forsyth Middle and Piney Grove Middle Schools. Beth served a three-year term on the State Advisory Panel for Special Education for the State of GA. In addition to serving two terms on the vestry at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, she co-chaired the church’s Capital Campaign and was Chairperson for the Stewardship Committee for three years. Beth has participated in the same bible study program for over 25 years, is a Master Gardener and is currently the President of Bellmere Garden Club, Johns Creek, GA. Beth holds a B.S. in Human Services from Elon College and a MED in Counseling and Guidance from UNCG.
Before founding Keystone Village, Beth and Tammy often wondered what would happen to their adopted special needs children (who are now adults) once we were no long living? Out of concern for their future, the vision of Keystone Village a ‘forever home’ was born. Their hope is Keystone Village, a residential community for adults with developmental disabilities, will provide a safe environment, with individualized support/care and a sense of unconditional love and acceptance for all of the people that will call it their "home’.
Tammy is one of the “founding moms of Keystone Village.” Born and raised on Long Island, N.Y. She attended Manhattan College and received a Bachelors degree in Adapted Physical Education and a Masters degree in Special Education. As a teacher at both LaVelle School for the Blind and Henry Viscardi School, she found her calling to serve the disabled population.
In 1995, Tammy and her husband Stephen moved to Georgia and began their journey in building a family of 14. Inspired by her parent’s love of adoption, she and Stephen adopted seven of their twelve children from state foster care. They welcomed children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism, profound developmental delay, blindness and epilepsy into their home. Along with their five biological daughters, these children made the Miller family full of love. As the children aged they had many concerns about what a “forever home” would look like. It became apparent, that with other Forsyth County community members, a solution such as Keystone Village was vital to many.
As an active member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Tammy begins each day hoping to serve others by living out what Jesus taught: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:40.
Lisa Bennett is the director of Creative Enterprises Forsyth located in Cumming, Georgia. Creative Enterprises is a job placement and day program for adults with developmental disabilities. She began working with people with disabilities when she was 16 and then had had her dream job of teaching special education for 20 years. Lisa has spent the last 15 years in education serving as Assistant Director of Special Education for Forsyth County Schools.
Julie Brennan is the publisher of My Forsyth magazine. This year the magazine is celebrating its 12th year in print.
Julie volunteers with Mentor Me North Georgia, Georgia Highlands Medical Center, South Forsyth High School Culinary School Program, and the Forsyth County Schools College and Career Development Program. She is a graduate of Leadership Forsyth, the recipient of the Forsyth County Court Appointed Special Advocate "Light of Hope" award, the Cumming Forsyth Chamber of Commerce "Steve Bloom Award" and the Forsyth Chamber of Commerce Impact Award for "Diversity and Inclusion."
Julie holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is a Paul Harris Fellow and past-president of the Rotary Club of Woodstock. Julie was born and raised in the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico.
Treasurer
Danialle Evans and her husband, Jason, have been residents of Forsyth County for 17 years. She currently is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of OneSouth Bank. Ms. Evans held various leadership positions in the financial industry, bringing over 18 years of experience in finance and accounting. Ms. Evans has had the opportunity to be the treasurer of several local nonprofits including Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and currently serves as the Treasurer for the Sawnee Amateur Radio and Keystone Village.
Ms. Evans graduated from the University of Tennessee and holds a CPA license from the state of Georgia as well as memberships in the Georgia Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.
Gary and his wife Margaret have been married for 39 years, raised four daughters whom are all happily married, and they now have five grandkids! Faith and Family are the highest priority to him. Professionally, Gary enjoyed 28 years with Chick-fil-A, 24 of those as an operator. For the past 21 years he has enjoyed working in the real estate industry, with an emphasis in land acquisition and residential development.
Gary met Tammy Miller and Beth Burns, co-founders of a non-profit residential community for disabled individuals. After the first meeting with them, Gary knew he had found his place to care for “the least of these”. In less than one year, Keystone Village has grown from an idea and is rapidly moving to reality.
Beth Grindle is a lifetime educator with forty -two years of experience. Her career has allowed her to perform a variety of roles from a teacher of profoundly handicapped students to her position upon retirement a system Director of Special Education.
Her favorite retirement roles are spending time with her grandchildren, traveling, decorating, and having the time to visit more often with family and friends.
Volunteer efforts in her community have always been important and she is eager to lend her background knowledge and compassion for the special needs population to support the Keystone Mission.
Lynn is a RN with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia and a Masters Degree in Healthcare Policy and Administration from Mercer University in Atlanta.
During her career, Lynn has held a number of professional leadership roles including Vice President of Nursing at Georgia Baptist Medical Center. She currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Northside Hospital Forsyth.
Steve Kirby and his wife, Lynn, have two children, Lyndsay and Joshua. Josh was diagnosed at the age of three with autism and has grown into a high-functioning adult. Lynn and Steve have served in various organizations involving special needs.
Steve currently serves as President and coach of the Cumming-Forsyth County Miracle League and has coached Special Olympics Basketball for more than eight years. He is also a member of the Forsyth County Zoning Board of Appeals.
Secretary
Stacey Van Dyke is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Special Twist, a nationally competitive cheerleading and dance program for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Growing up with a sister who was delayed, she saw the need for inclusion in mainstream activities otherwise unavailable to her.
As an advocate for the Special Needs community, Stacey has focused her support on building self-esteem, and helping mentor her athletes to find their place in their schools and communities. Over her 19 years with Special Twist, she has seen the extreme need for a safe, supportive housing development such as Keystone Village where those she works with can live and thrive in their independent lives.
Keystone Village | P.O. Box 2681 Cumming, GA 30028 | Tammy@keystonevillage.org
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