Meet The Staff
A team of dedicated staff members provide supervision during program hours and serve as positive adult role models. Staff members focus on providing a safe and secure environment for this diverse group of teens. When it comes to finding an environment that works best for your children, the B.L.O.C.K. staff creates a unique gathering spot that provides plenty of fun and creative programming. To contact us please call 734/398-5570 or email Opens a New Window. .
Recreation Specialist
Laura Mortier: Laura graduate from Eastern Michigan in 2010 with a Bachelors of Science. She majored in Psychology and minored in Communication. While in college, Laura worked at the B.L.O.C.K. Youth and Teen Center as a supervisor and adviser for the Youth Advisory Council. Laura has over 14 years of experience in after-school programming, youth development, and special event planning. In her spare time, she dances at Central City Dance and absolutely loves being a wife to Matt and Mom to Matilda. Some fun facts about Laura - She had a goldfish that live more than 7 years (RIP), her nails are always polished, and she loves ranch dressing!
Teen Services Coordinators
Frania (Frani) Lantigua: Frani graduated from Concordia University, Ann Arbor with a major in Family Life. She is completing her internship at the Summit, B.L.O.C.K., and Lead Like a Girl program. Frani has worked with kids and youth of all ages. She was also a leader of her dance team and is also part owner of A2 Fit-Kid. Frani loves to read, dance, and spend time with her fiance and two crazy dogs, Tyson and Kia.
Courtney Smith: Courtney is a student at Eastern Michigan University to earn her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy. She has played guitar for 10 years and has been dancing all her life. Courtney tries to always listen, learn and be inspired by kids everyday.
Meghan St. Peter: Meghan is a proud graduate of the Plymouth-Canton School District. She also graduated from Madonna University with her teaching certificate in Social Studies, History, and English. Meghan is currently a teacher at Liberty Middle School for both 6th and 8th grade Social Studies. She is very passionate about working with middle school age students at a time in their lives when life can be a bit rough. In Meghan’s spare time, she can usually be found "nerding out" and strolling along the streets of Greenfield Village, or spending quality time with her husband and friends!
Chelsea Straub: Chelsea graduated with honors in 2013 from Eastern Michigan University, and teaches English at Summefield High School. Chelsea has a passion for working with youth, in particular working toward youth empowerment with at-risk youth. Chelsea has several years experience with youth leadership both as a teacher and a youth council coordinator. In her free-time. Chelsea loves to hang out with her rescue dogs, Colby and Bridgette, and go camping with her family!
Youth Advisory Council Advisor
Jenny Porter: Jenny worked for the Township for more than 12 years! Jenny is currently in school to earn her degree in Social Work. Jenny says that she absolutely loves what she does here at the B.L.O.C.K. and the teens that she has been lucky to have met and formed connections with. She strives to help the teens that come to the BLOCK have the best time possible. After all you’re only a kid once, and you might as well enjoy it! In her spare time she loves spending time with her large family, which includes 3 nieces and 2 nephews.
Teen Services Supervisors
Amber Porter: Amber is a sophomore at Eastern Michigan University for interior design. She originally heard about the BLOCK from her aunt, who worked there when she was younger. While that was her main reason for wanting to work here, after being here, she loves t
he friendships you build with the kids who go there. Amber hopes to somehow help kids struggling with mental health problems because mental health awareness is something she is very passionate about. In her free time she finds herself watching tons of Netflix, trying to learn how to cook, or spending time with her friends and family.
TEEN SERVICES STAFF
Gina Dossantos: Gina is a sophomore at Madonna University and is working towards getting a degree in English and Spanish. She hopes to continue with her Masters in Speech Language Pathology. Gina is extremely passionate about working with youth and kids and has been working with kids for 3 years. In her free time, Gina loves to read, write, and hike! You can usually catch her with paint on her hands or listening to music.
Tiffany Jackson: Tiffany is a graduate of the University of Michigan, GO BLUE!! She studied Psychology and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Tiffany loves sports; and actually plays basketball, softball and volleyball. One of her favorite hobbies is coaching and coaches softball and volleyball at a local high school in Detroit. Her favorite colors are purple and blue and her favorite food is Lasagna.
Fatin Jafri: 
Fatin is a student at Wayne State University doing a bachelors of science in Psychology. After she graduates, she is planning on going to graduate school for either clinical psychology or developmental neuroscience. She is really excited to start working at the B.L.O.C.K. Teen center and getting to know the kids there. Fatin has a big family and a lot of younger cousins who she spends some of her free time with. She loves to watch films and listen to music from all around the world. She enjoys dancing and singing, writing, and traveling!
Emily Libby: Emily has been working at the B.L.O.C.K. for the past six years. Emily graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Along with working at the B.L.O.C.K., she is a preschool teacher. When Emily is not working, you can usually find her at the gym, golfing or spending time with family and friends. Although Emily is very active, she has also been known to eat ice cream out of the carton and eat large quantities of chips and salsa! Teaching and working with children is her passion, there is nothing else she would rather do. Changing lives one day at a time!
Lauren Manor: Lauren is a student at Wayne State University studying Social Work with a minor in Health Psychology. She volunteers at Henry Ford Hospital Detroit in the NICU. In her free time, Lauren likes to play video games and enjoys time outdoors. Upon completion of her degree, Lauren is looking forward to working with premature infants and/or human trafficking victims.
Sydney Potts: Sydney is student at Eastern Michigan University. She is studying Therapeutic Recreation, eventually going into Orthotics and Prosthetic. Sydney has two dogs: Cash and Brody. And she also has three goldfish: Domi, Guppy, and Tiger!
Lauree Pryor: Lauree is from the Metro Detroit area and graduate of Stevenson High School. She is a student at the Florida Tech University, studying child psychology. Once she completes her Bachelor of Arts in psychology this summer Lauree plans to start graduate school in the fall. Her career goal is to become a Case manager or Child Advocate in hopes of helping and providing resources for children and families in need. Lauree has been working with young children for over 10 years and is excited to be branching out and engaging with older children. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, painting, cooking and spending time with her husband and daughter.
