Voices for Life mobilizes and empowers pro-life activists to end abortion in their communities through frontline witness, compassionate outreach, and vigilant enforcement of the law. Here are the people leading this work.
Board of Directors
Jackie has been heavily involved with the pro-life movement, sidewalk advocacy ministry, and local service opportunities through her church, the Vineyard. After decades as a successful businesswoman , Jackie used her resources to support local pro-life initiatives, including the founding of Voices For Life. She currently serves as the VFL Board President, and spends time with her 7 grandchildren when not working or serving the community.
Ben began volunteering for pro-life activities locally in high school. He attended the University of Notre Dame & Notre Dame Law School, where he was surrounded by amazing pro-life academics committed to ensuring legal protection for the unborn. Ben is heavily involved with St. Joe County politics, ensuring pro-life candidates are elected to public office. He is married & a proud uncle to seven.
Tony became involved in the pro-life movement at age 13 thanks to his very pro-life mom. He has served as the president of PLACE, a crisis pregnancy shelter and treasurer for Elkhart Co. Right to Life. He currently serves as the treasurer for Indiana Right to Life’s Educational Trust Fund and as a board member for Holy Innocents Pro-Life Action Group. Tony regularly participates in life chains, pro-life rallies, prayer at abortion businesses, and helps send his 65 nieces and nephews to the National March for Life.
The Lord Jesus gave Ramona the desire to become active in the pro-life mission. She began her involvement when as a young mom volunteering at the Women’s Care Center. Because of that connection, her and her husband took in a pregnant 18 year old and went through labor and delivery with her as she placed her baby for adoption. Ramona also served on the board of Right to Life Michiana, been a sidewalk advocate at the abortion clinic, and now serves on the board for Voices For Life. As a Christian she feels called to stand for life, vote for life, and share the truth of God’s gospel message.
Trent grew up in a pro life family and owes his love for the movement to his mother, a family doctor who delivered babies and founded a fertility care center in his hometown. Trent was an active member of Students for Life at Marian University and has been involved in pro life activism all his life. He previously served as the Operations Coordinator for Eric Doden, an Indiana gubernatorial candidate fighting to enact a zero-cost adoption policy the first of its kind in the United States.
Ben has extensive experience in the pro-life movement throughout Indiana through his experience as a Regional Coordinator and Community Organizer for Students for Life of America. Ben is studying Cyber Security at Western Governors University, and he currently works as a part of Group 1001’s Cyber Security and Vulnerability Management in Central Indiana.
Staff
Melanie has been fighting abortion since before she was born. While pregnant with Melanie, her mom would take her to pray at Dr. Ulrich Klopfer’s infamous abortion business. In 2018, Melanie received her BA in English from Indiana University and immediately took a position with Right to Life Michiana. As well working for Voices for Life, she currently serves as the Program Director for South Bend’s Sidewalk Advocates for Life Chapter, and has helped grow the local outreach to one of the largest programs in the U.S.
Jackie has been involved in the pro-life cause for over 20 years, beginning in high school, when she participated in pro-life clubs and received the Pro-Life Youth Award from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. She went on to volunteer for Right to Life Michiana, where she later served as a board member and then as Executive Director. She then worked as Development Director for Sidewalk Advocates for Life. She still serves as SAFL’s Program Leader in South Bend, and launched the first pro-life door knocking program in Northern Indiana.
Jenna Smith is a pro life advocate from South Bend, IN. She began work on the sidewalks of abortion referral facilities in August of 2023 and is responsible for growing and coordinating outreach at Voices for Life’s chapter of Sidewalk Advocates for Life. Jenna previously volunteered at LifePlan, a pro life family resource center, for four years while she lived in Michigan, and continues to involve herself at their South Bend location. She has a passion for women’s health and well-being, as well as music, theology, and writing. She is thankful for the support of her extended family as well as her husband and dog while she reaches out to abortion vulnerable populations.
Originally from Ventura California, and recent graduate of Marquette University, Donny was prompted by the Holy Spirit to work with Voices For Life after hearing Melanie speak at the young adult series “Theology on Tap.” He is in his first year of the Notre Dame Masters of Divinity program, and Voices For Life will serve as his placement for the year. Donny plans on working as a lay minister in the Catholic Church after finishing his program.
Emma is an Indiana native and an incoming freshman at the University of Alabama. She is passionate about advocating for unborn children, and she intends to protect life in law by becoming an attorney. She has previously served as the president and founder of Noblesville Students for Life, volunteered with Students for Life Action, and graduated from Students for Life of America’s Thaddeus Stevens fellowship. When Emma is not studying or working, you can find her writing in a coffee shop or reading a good book.
Madi is currently a senior at Roncalli High School. She is passionate about her faith and fighting to protect the lives of unborn children. She plans to study nursing after high school, specializing in labor and delivery or neonatal nursing. She has a leadership role in her school’s Royals4Life Club and plans to continue advocating for the unborn in the future.
When she isn’t working or volunteering, she is spending lots of time outside or crafting.
Outreach Teams
Alex Jackson, Anastasia Brooks, Andrea DiGregorio, Avery Bills, Carlee Spencer, Caroline Cole, Christopher Shaub, Corey Williams, Daniel Tucker, Danny Alvarez, Deborah Erickson, Dr. Jim Berndt, Eoin Lyon, Hannah Callaway, Janell Benjamin, Jason Rose, Jenna Smith, Joe Klatt, John Miller, Joyce Miller, Joyce Zalas, Katy Dudeck, Kent Wegner, Laisa Beebe, Maddie Garcia, Mark Holmes, Mary Miller, Matt Stante, Michael Carroll, Mike Jacob, Mike Rippy ,Patrick Shanley, Pedro Huet, Phinehas Jacob, Ramona Wilson, Sue Isaac, Will Eby
Andrea DiGregorio, Corey Williams, Danny Alvarez, Eoin Lyon, Janell Benjamin, Jenna Smith, Joe Klatt, Joyce Zalas, Maddie Garcia, Matt Stante, Mike Jacob, Pedro Huet, Ramona Wilson, Will Eby, Amanda Huerta, Amy Nelson, Andrea Hartstein, Ashley Vanover, Christian Davis, Christian Matozzo, Christy Rulli, Cindy Robertson, Debbie Kovach, Diana Mechelay, Diana Shrock, Diego Delgado, Donny Robbins, Dorie Clickovich, Elizabeth Klinedinst, Grace Stepek, Jackie Horvath, Jane Hoover, Jason Jaronik, Jim Nelson, John Zalas, Julie Johnson, Kristen Senne, Lisa Everett, Liz Marshall, Luke Singleton, Lydia Poe, Lynn Pendl, Madonna Drake, Mandy Wallis, Marek Kizer, Marlis Welch, Martha Byler, Mary Garcia, Megan Kerr, Mike Brummel, Monica Higginbotham, Ruth Banner, Sarah Friend, Serena Dyksen, Sue Montebello, Susan Nelson, Suzanne Brummel, Tammy Worden