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Mission Statement

“Building faith and strengthening communities through service to others.”

Sierra Service Project’s purpose is to build strong connections and resilience among communities, by equipping volunteers in home repair skills and community-based projects. Making necessary home repairs accessible to historically underserved residents allows communities to thrive and individuals to safely age in place. Inherent in the purpose is the specific involvement of youth and young adult volunteers.

Inclusion Statement

SSP is an affirming and welcoming community that celebrates the lives and love of all people. We welcome LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color who have too often been excluded from leadership and full participation within many communities. We are rooted in the unique experiences and identities of all members of our community, which form the foundation of our work.

We welcome all people to be a part of our community as their authentic selves, regardless of race, religion, socio-economic status, gender and its expression, sexual orientation, or ability. Our passion for justice, love, and equality has no limits.

Read more about Sierra Service Project’s history and theology.

Central Staff

Megan

Megan Taylor (she/her/hers)

Executive Director

Megan Taylor started as an intern in the SSP office in 2009. Since then she has served as the Director of Programs, and transitioned into the Executive Director position in April 2018. She has a professional degree in architecture from the University of Oregon and worked for five years on summer staff. She participated as a youth at SSP once with Fremont United Methodist Church in Portland.

Megan enjoys cooking with vegetables from her CSA, sewing clothes, screen printing, running marathons, and walking her dog Lahti.

Email Megan or Schedule a Meeting

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Jake Bailey (he/him/his)

Director of Finance & Administration

Jake Bailey has been the Business Manager since 2013. He received a Bachelor of Science in business with a focus in accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in women’s and gender studies with distinction from Sonoma State University. Jake attended SSP four times as a youth with the First United Methodist Church of Loomis, and volunteered for a week as a Staff-In-Training.

Jake likes playing board games, reading, biking, stand-up-paddle boarding, visiting Disneyland, watching Broadway musicals, and spending time with his niece and nephew.

Email Jake

Veronica 2

Veronica Russell (she/her/hers)

Director of Engagement & Impact

Veronica Russell has been with SSP HQ since 2014, though her SSP experience dates back to 2007, including youth volunteering, staff-in-training, and summer staff. She holds a B.A. in Interpersonal Communications and a minor in Religion from Pepperdine University. She is currently pursuing an M.S. in Organization Development from the University of San Francisco.

Veronica enjoys travel, storytelling, languages, cooking, yoga, animals, and spending time outdoors. She is passionate about personality tests, the well-placed pun, and equitable youth and community development.

Email Veronica or Schedule a Meeting

Adam ITM

Adam Vargyas (he/him/his)

Director of Development

Adam has a 24 year history with Sierra Service Project, stretching all the way back to his first year as a youth volunteer in Upper Lake, California in August of 2000, to five years as a summer staffer, and two as an adult volunteer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from California State University, San Bernardino, and ten years of experience in nonprofit programming and fundraising.

Adam lives in East Sacramento with his wife Laureen, a fellow SSP veteran (they met as summer staff in 2007). They enjoy travelling, volunteering at their local church (Sacramento First UMC), and relaxing at home with their cat.

Email Adam

Max SM

Max Rosa (he/him/his)

Sacramento Program Manager

We are excited to welcome Max Rosa to the SSP team in 2023 as our Sacramento Program Manager! Max’s background is in implementing community empowerment initiatives and developing sustainability-focused service-learning projects for schools and nonprofits. He grew up in North Sacramento and has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from UC Santa Cruz .

In 2021, Max started his own plant nursery business, MR. E – Nursery to supply neighbors, community gardens, and schools. You will most likely find him climbing mountains, playing with his dogs, or singing to plants in the garden.

Email Max

Robert ElamSSP e

Bob Elam (he/him/his)

Project Consultant

Bob Elam is SSP’s Project Consultant. He has been with SSP for over a decade.

He is a former contractor and likes to spend time at Lake Tahoe with his wife and two grown children.

Email Bob

Office Volunteers

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Butch Henry

Butch Henry has been a long-time volunteer at SSP’s central office in Sacramento. His son is an SSP staff alumni, Greg Henry. Butch is very involved with his home church First United Methodist Church of Loomis and his son’s farm in Placerville, Full Moon Farm. Butch has cycled 40 and 41 miles with the central team in honor of SSP’s recent anniversaries.

Thank you Butch!

Hank Smith

Hank Smith joined the Wednesday morning volunteer crew in 2018. He is a Navy veteran and has lived all over the West Coast. Hank’s specialty is welding, but he can make a wonderful sculpture out of wood with a chainsaw and chisel! Hank has attended SSP  with his church, Point Pleasant United Methodist Church in Elk Grove, California.

Thank you Hank!

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Charlie Wingo

Charlie Wingo has been a long-time volunteer at SSP’s central office in Sacramento. Charlie has three adult children who all attended SSP during their teen years. He is very involved with his home church First United Methodist Church of Loomis. Charlie has cycled 40 and 41 miles with the central team in honor of SSP’s recent anniversaries.

Thank you Charlie!

Coalition for Home Repair

Sierra Service Project is proud to be a founding member of Coalition for Home Repair (formerly ReFrame Association), the premier nonprofit organization promoting and supporting the work of home repair and rehabilitation partners nationwide. We provide funding, advocacy, and educational resources to ensure the preservation of safe, healthy, affordable housing for all.

In 2021, 89 Coalition members repaired:

  • 6,953 homes for
  • 16,041 residents in
  • 38 states

Every November, SSP’s Central Staff participates in the ReFrame Conference to learn, grow, and connect with other leaders in nonprofit home repair. By sharing best practices and bringing expert resources to leaders, our organizations operate more efficiently, proactively, and successfully to eradicate substandard housing in the communities we serve.

Sierra Service Project works to build strong connections and resilience among communities. Join us in home repair work so residents throughout the Western United States can safely age in place.

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