Shellie Ross
Executive Director
Shellie joined the staff in 2010. Prior to serving as Executive Director, Shellie held the Director of Children's Education and Senior Director of Education positions on staff. She holds a Bachelor of English from The University of Mississippi and a Master of Divinity from Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology. Shellie has experience in youth ministry and teaches with The Academy for Missional Wisdom. In addition, she is a member of the Leadership ISD Class of 2017. Shellie has a passion for justice, is a life-long learner, and has a gift for building community among diverse groups of people.
Severina Ware
Community Engagement Manager
Prior to WRCC, Severina had the privilege of managing volunteers and community relations with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, and the Perot Museum. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Nonprofit Management from the University of North Texas and a Master of Science in Criminology from Texas A&M Commerce. In her spare time, Severina enjoys reading and writing novels, quilting, and exploring hidden gems in Dallas with her family. Severina is thrilled to be a part of Wesley-Rankin Community Center and supporting West Dallas.
Tina Mendez
Office Manager
Tina Mendez joined the staff of Wesley-Rankin in 2017. Tina has experience in office management, business operations and has served as a bilingual educator in DISD schools. She holds several certificates, one of which is a Community Health Worker certification. Tina has a heart for learning and educating others.
Rachel Reis
Development Manager
Rachel oversees grant writing, reporting, and fundraising operations. Prior to joining Wesley-Rankin, she was with ChildCareGroup for five years where she helped grow their private fundraising department. Prior to working at ChildCareGroup, she was with the Museum of Biblical Art where she gave tours and coordinated fundraising events. She received her Bachelor’s in History from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, and her Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Texas in Arlington.
Natalie Breen
Director of Children's and Youth Education
Natalie joined the staff first as a summer intern in both 2013 and 2014. Natalie quickly fell in love with the children and families of West Dallas. She continued to stay connected as she finished her Bachelor degree from the University of San Diego in Sociology, with a concentration in Community, Urbanization, and Culture. In addition, Natalie holds a National Certification in Nonprofit Management. She is a graduate of the Hockaday School in Dallas and considers this great city her home.
Rachel Kramer
Youth Education Manager
Rachel has been serving in West Dallas through volunteer efforts and other non-profit roles since 2011. She loves this community and the many friends here who have shaped and changed her life for the better. A Wisconsin native, she graduated from Wheaton College (IL) with a degree in Anthropology and a minor in Spanish. After more than a decade of youth ministry experience, she is excited to join the team at Wesley-Rankin and the local community leaders to help create opportunities for thriving.
Julia Henry
Elementary Education Manager
Julia was born and raised in Dallas and holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Southwestern University. Prior to Wesley-Rankin she worked at Heart House, serving the refugee community of Dallas in the after-school space. She is passionate about building relationships, working with, and learning from diverse communities. She is thrilled to be serving the West Dallas community alongside Wesley-Rankin.
Jose Juarez
Youth and Community Engagement Coordinator
Jose was raised in the community of West Dallas, attending the Wesley-Rankin program as a youth and serving as an intern during the summers of 2014 and 2016. Jose attended Texas Woman’s University and graduated with a bachelor’s in Social Work in 2018. His internships with Crossroads Community Center and CitySquare offered experience with people of various backgrounds and circumstances. Prior to employment at Wesley-Rankin, Jose served as a Prevention Specialist at Youth180. “To say the least, I have a passion for helping people and am ready to give back to the community that gave me so many opportunities.”
Ixchel Perez
Elementary Education Coordinator
Born in Mexico, Ixchel is a Dreamer and strong advocate for immigrants’ rights. Ixchel has strengths in bilingual administration and hospitality and has a passion for education. The community of Wesley-Rankin reminds Ixchel of her own neighborhood and upbringing and to serve on our campus, offers her a sense of giving back. Whether Ixchel be translating or leading students in a reading lesson, she finds Wesley-Rankin as a place of home and loves being a part of the team.
Job Sterling
Director of Adult Education
Job joined the staff in 2015. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, a Bachelor of Charitable Services from The International College of Christian Ministries, and a Master on Public Health from the University of Maryland. Job is fluent in Creole, Spanish, and English. He has plublished research in the area of Public Health, worked in community development in Chile, and has a strong commitment to faith as central to growth and change.
Elizabeth Alfaro
Senior Program Coordinator
Elizabeth joined the staff of Wesley-Rankin in January 2018. Having knowledge of the nutrition needs for senior citizens and the creative skills to meet those needs, Elizabeth brings much life and health to the senior program on campus. She can often be found baking sugar free items in the kitchen and participating in the daily activities of the program such as dancing and art. Elizabeth is a former member of the Leadership Council at Wesley-Rankin.
Maria Rincon
Senior Program Associate
Maria was born in Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. at 16 years of age. Since then, she has been a longtime resident of West Dallas. She is a former student of W. H. Adamson High School and now enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. In 2014, Maria was a member of the Wesley-Rankin Leadership Council, learning specifically about school advocacy, and her children have attended Wesley-Rankin since 2005, participating in Head Start, Afterschool and summer camp programs. In addition, she volunteered with the senior program and served as a substitute van driver before joining the staff. According to Maria, “Wesley-Rankin has been of tremendous impact not only for my family but for my personal development as well.”
George Tello
Facilities Manager
George joined the Wesley-Rankin team in 2016. George wears many hats at the Center, from driving the seniors to installing ceiling tiles. He finds great joy in building relationships with those who gather here. If you ever need a smile, a conversation about the Dallas Cowboys or to be immersed in kindness, George is your contact.
Emanuel Sanders
Van Driver
Emanuel graduated from Whites Creek Comprehensive High School with honors in Art and English. Soon after, he attended the Nichols School of Art Instruction and the Harris School of Art also in Nashville. Emanuel worked as an optician for 15 years, and later became an insurance producer for 5 years, selling health insurance for HealthSpring, USA now Cigna-HealthSpring. In 2010 Emanuel obtained his commercial license and acted on his longstanding dream to drive 18-wheelers. He has subsequently driven through every state in America. His most memorable driving experience to date remains his first school bus driving position in which he transported special needs children. Emanuel’s proud moments include his singing with the Christ Church Choir in Nashville TN. During his tenure, the choir worked with Amy Grant on a Christmas CD project and had the distinct honor to sing with Dolly Parton at the Country Music Awards in 2009. Emanuel has a passion for music, art and his mom’s lemon pie.
Linda Battie
Van Driver
Linda is a native of West Dallas and a proud mother of three daughters and grandmother to seven grandchildren. She is a former employee of the Dallas Housing Authority, serving for over 15 years. Through the Pathways Program at Brother Bill’s Helping Hand, Linda learned budgeting, Bible stories and met new friends. Linda takes her position as a van driver very seriously, and safety is a number one priority.
Photography by Linda Winski and Rachel Reis