About the Founder of White Apple Institute

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An Army Veteran dedicated to helping fellow women and men Veterans find their way out of homelessness. During his own period of being homeless Steve developed a small ministry and distributes resources and spiritual messages at bus stops. He joined White Apple Institute to assist at StandDown, a program sponsored by the Arizona Housing Coalition.

An Army Veteran dedicated to helping fellow women and men Veterans find their way out of homelessness. During his own period of being homeless Steve developed a small ministry and distributes resources and spiritual messages at bus stops. He joined White Apple Institute to assist at StandDown, a program sponsored by the Arizona Housing Coalition.

Serves on the Professional Advisory Committee. He is an Air Force Veteran experienced in Radio Broadcasting and a retired Photographer. Mr. Reynolds is very dedicated to bringing Veterans information and current news. He advises on development and promotion of the DIFferently-Abled Network(c) meetings online.

 Dr. :"Jane": serves as Secretary of the board. She is a woman veteran with an extensive background in veteran transition to civilian life. Her passion is with underserved women veterans. Dr. Garcia served in the US Army for ten years (3.5 years in the reserve and 6.5 years on active duty). Her job was as a nuclear, biological and chemical specialist. After leaving the Army, she continued serving her community as a science and dual enrollment teacher at different grades from 6 – 12th grades. Dr. Garcia currently teaches various psychology classes at the college level. She is a researcher whose areas of interest include veteran studies, immigration, parenting, personal control and cognition. 

 Serves as a Sponsor and Community-Business Partner of White Apple Institute, as a Speaker and Consultant for interfaith outreach efforts. She is an Ordained Minister of an inclusive Metaphysical UNITY Church in Mesa. the Interfaith Community Spiritual Center. She shares the ministry with her husband Rev. Manny Aroz and a host of well-trained chaplains. Rev. Julianne is the first Sponsor of a Faith-based organization to welcome White Apple Institute's community outreach program, the  Differently-Abled Network (DAN) meetings. She understands the needs of Persons with Disability, especially veterans who are socially isolated and encourages other FBO's (Faith-based Organizations).  

Ms. Owens serves as Vice President and Treasurer of the board. She is the previous Owner and Operator of several residential facilities in the State of California for persons with addictions and mental disabilities. Ms. Owens possesses an extensive background in social services,  group home operations, and administration of residential facilities for dual-diagnosed. She is a graduate of Ohio State University and has extensive skills in working with disadvantaged families.

Ms. Owens serves as Vice President and Treasurer of the board. She is the previous Owner and Operator of several residential facilities in the State of California for persons with addictions and mental disabilities. Ms. Owens possesses an extensive background in social services,  group home operations, and administration of residential facilities for dual-diagnosed. She is a graduate of Ohio State University and has extensive skills in working with disadvantaged families.

Angelica started as a /student Intern for White Apple Institute while she was in high school. She is now a student at Arizona State University (ASU). She has extensive experience working with the Autistic population and is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL)

Chaplain Lori Elward

Rochester, MN

Chaplain Lori Elward is a woman who has spent her life turning creativity, music, and storytelling into art that truly connects people.

Lori is a singer, actor, writer, and educator with a B.A. in Education from Arizona State University,

where she specialized in Creative Drama, Theatre for Youth, Vocal Music, and Special Education.

She’s one of those rare people who moves effortlessly between the worlds of performance and teaching—someone who can inspire an audience just as easily as she can inspire a classroom.

In 2004, Lori completed ministry studies and was ordained as an Interfaith Chaplain. For more than

two decades, she served as Music Director for an open and inclusive interfaith community in the

Phoenix area, where she designed and led services, concerts, and workshops that wove together

song, theater, art, and storytelling. Her performances have spanned everything from Broadway showtunes and jazz to gospel, blues, country, and contemporary spiritual music—often alongside a remarkable ensemble of professional and semi-professional musicians.

Before that, Lori worked in creative drama education, using theater, music, art, puppetry and

storytelling to help children with special needs build confidence, communication skills, and the joy of self-expression. Her particular expertise is with children navigating mental health and learning challenges. Lori’s own experience with PTSD from severe childhood abuse and adult-onset ADD has given her a deep, compassionate understanding that allowed her to reach those who needed it most.

Lori is no stranger to the stage, with musical theater credits that include Cabaret, The Sound of

Music, Mame, Paint Your Wagon, Sweet Charity, No, No, Nanette, Kiss Me, Kate, and even You’re a

Good Man, Charlie Brown, where she played the famous fussbudget Lucy Van Pelt—while also

directing the show.

She sang her first public solo at the age of five—and she’s been sharing her voice, her humor, and

her heart ever since. Whether she’s singing, acting, writing, teaching, or directing, Lori brings a mix

of soul, compassion, imagination, humor and playfulness that makes everyone in her presence feel like part of the story.

In November of last year, at the young age of 71, Lori let go of most of her physical belongings and

moved from Arizona to Minnesota. She now lives in Rochester MN, only 20 minutes from her

daughter and 3 beloved grandkids! She has been involved with the Differently-Abled Network (DAN) since its inception and continues today as a content creator and co-producer of the monthly podcast.

Tom is Vice-Chair of the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) . He communicates with employers, Disability Resource Centers at colleges and other higher education schools to identify "underserved" students, employees, and veterans with visible and Non-visible disability. Tom completed his Associates Degree in Business at Mesa Community College and graduated from ASU with a Bachelor in Science degree in Psychology. Tom learned how to advocate to obtain his education after a major car accident and consequent paralysis. He played competitive wheelchair basketball for over ten years and was selected as an All-Star. He also competed in Paralympic swimming and won two Bronze Medals. Tom encourages Adult Learners with physical and mental disabilities to overcome their fear and embarrassment when asking for accommodations. He inspires them to get involved with Disabled Student Resources on their college campus and learn how to advocate for accommodations.

Morgan is a student of Arizona State University majoring in Entrepreneurial Marketing. She works, attends classes and is the co-producer for the Differently-Abled Network (DAN) meetings and manages the social media.