ABOUT US
At Care Net we believe that life is a gift from God and that abortion compounds rather than solves the problems associated with unplanned pregnancies. We provide a caring and confidential atmosphere for every person who seeks our help. Clients meet with well-trained, dedicated, and understanding client advocates, equipped to help meet their needs.
We are also committed to creating awareness within the community of the pressures facing teens, women, and families with unplanned pregnancies. We develop co-laboring relationships with churches and emphasize reconciliation within the family and the church.
PROVERBS 31:8
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
STAFF
Bonnie Martinelli
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Bonnie began volunteering for Care Net initially as a board member in 2001-2003. During that time, she also became a Client Advocate so she could understand the ministry better. Throughout the years she volunteered on the banquet committees. In 2017 she returned as a board member and in January of 2019 she also was volunteering as the interim Executive Director until one was hired. Little did she know that God was calling her to this position and she officially started April 1, 2019.
Bonnie has been married to Bil for 33 years and has 3 terrific grown children and one wonderful son-in-law. Bonnie has lived in Vero Beach over 30 years.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” – Galatians 6:9-10
Vicki Fannin
OFFICE MANAGER
Vicki is the Office Manager at Care Net Pregnancy Center. She performs administrative duties directly related to the operations of the center. This includes reports, accounts receivable and payable, maintaining the database and correspondence with our donors. She also takes pleasure in assisting with the annual fundraising events and occasionally gets to use her creative skills. She first volunteered with Care Net and then joined the staff in January 2000. She has a strong commitment to the pro-life position and finds it an honor to serve as an ambassador of Jesus Christ along with the other staff, volunteers and Champions of the Care Net ministry.
Vicki has three children, six grandchildren and has lived in Vero Beach for 30 years. She is originally from Dayton, Ohio and graduated from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
Teri Myers
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES
Teri is the Director of Client Services at Care Net IRC. She started volunteering for the Walk for Life in 2022 and then became the Director of Client Services the same year. Twelve years prior, she started a business from scratch – a senior assisted living home. Teri created all policies and procedures to meet state requirements with employees and clients. Her experience there – consistently looking for ways to improve efficiency and provide excellent care – has equipped her in her current role as Director of Client Services. Her mom volunteered for many years at a pregnancy center like Care Net, so Teri considers her involvement with Care Net as part of honoring her mom’s legacy.
Teri lived in Grand Ledge, Michigan, and moved to Sebastian in 2017. She has been married to her husband Phillip for 36 years, and they have 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and a one-year-old puppy.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” -Matthew 5:9
Lynn Ullestad, RN, MHA
MEDICAL SERVICES MANAGER
Lynn is Care Net IRC’s first Medical Services Manager. God led Lynn to Care Net when a friend invited her to our 2023 Walk for Life, and she joined our staff in May 2023, just three months before we moved into our new facility on Medical Mile.
Lynn spent almost all of her 30+ year career at Carle Hospital in east central Illinois, including as an Emergency Room Nurse, Director of critical care transport, director of the heart and vascular institute and, most recently, regional executive system strategist. Working as an air ambulatory nurse allowed Lynn to work directly with high risk OB patients, NICU babies, and high risk pediatric patients. Lynn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Olivet Nazarene College and a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix.
After living most of her life in her hometown of Champaign, Illinois, Lynn and her husband Kevin moved to Vero in 2020 to “retire early and move where it’s warm” – and while they love the weather, they both have enjoyed taking on new jobs. They have two children and five grandchildren.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Jen Barnes, BSN, RN
Registered Nurse
Jen is a Registered Nurse at Care Net IRC. She has been with this Center since 2023. She has been a nurse for 40 years, and 35 of those years have been in labor and delivery. Her passion is women’s health – making sure all pregnant women receive excellent care.
Gladys Kramer
BABY BOUTIQUE MANAGER
Gladys is the Baby Boutique Manager at Care Net IRC, who oversees, trains, schedules, and coordinates volunteers in the Baby Boutique. She started volunteering at Care Net in 2012 as a client advocate for Spanish and English clients, and has wanted to work full time at Care Net ever since 2012. In 2022, she became part-time Manager of the Baby Boutique, and still hopes to work full time here one day. Gladys considers her role not as a job, but as a pleasure!
Gladys went to high school and college in Argentina and moved to the US in 1999. She has 10 years of office management experience in Real Estate, and 12 years of experience in rental properties management experience. She has been married to her husband Kenny for 19 years and has 4 children and 12 grandchildren.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31
Angela Simmers
MEDIA MARKETING COORDINATOR
Denise Courtemanche
CENTER ASSISTANT
Denise has been Center Assistant at Care Net IRC since Spring 2022. She learned about Care Net after helping with a baby shower at Vero Christian Church, and soon afterward, she began volunteering as a receptionist. A few months later, she joined the staff part-time! Denise enjoys helping around the Center by doing a little bit of everything, from pulling statistic reports, typing notes, to depositing coins from the Baby Bottle Campaign. Her administrative skills developed through working for an engineering firm and homeschooling her only child.
Denise and her husband of 30+ years, John, moved from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Vero in 2017 to be near family. They have one son, Chris, and a granddog named Bella.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” – 3 John 2
BOARD MEMBERS
Chris Stephenson
BOARD PRESIDENT
Chris is currently serving as President of the Board of Directors at Care Net IRC. A proud Texas native and graduate of Abilene Christian University, he holds a Masters’s degree in Non-Profit Business. He has worked as the Director of Transportation at the Senior Resource Association since 2012, operating Indian River County’s public transportation and paratransit services.
Chris loves Care Net because he is deeply committed to helping the disadvantaged and disenfranchised people of the community. A tenet of Chris’ faith is working “for the least of these” and he tries to ensure compassion for Care Net’s clients is involved with all his oversight at Care Net.
Amy Beckley
BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
Amy is currently serving as the Vice President of the Board of Directors at Care Net IRC. She was raised in rural Pennsylvania and is a Penn. State Grad.
She also graduated from The Culinary Institute of America as a chef and later returned as a culinary instructor and licensed Registered Dietician with her Master’s degree from Columbia University. She was the television host for five years on PBS’s Home Cooking with Amy Coleman Show and has published five cookbooks. She has been the corporate spokeswoman for many world-wide companies including KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Kraft Foods, Colavita, Weber Grills and Wüsthof Dreizack Cutlery.
Her gifts from the Lord are writing, public speaking and teaching. Her heart is filled with a love for Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior, her “small but mighty” family of Jim—her husband of nearly twenty years, her precious daughter Gracie, and their team mascot—Bella, the family dog. Her passions include writing Christian allegorical children’s books and helping save God’s beautiful babies at Care Net.
Kriss Morris
BOARD TREASURER
Kriss is currently serving as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors at Care Net IRC. He was born and raised in central Ohio. While attending Ohio University (OU), he was led to Christ by his wife of 43 years, Tammie, whom he met at OU. Kriss retired in 2016 ending a 35 year career serving in executive internal audit positions with The Dow Chemical Company, Energizer and PACCAR (maker of Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF trucks). Kriss is a Certified Internal Auditor and earned an Accounting degree (’79) and an MBA (’80) at Ohio University.
In addition to his professional career, Kriss has served in ministry and leadership positions while worshiping at:
- East Athens Church of Christ (OH) (1976-1980),
- Midland Christian (‘80-92, 95-99) (MI),
- The American Protestant Church of Antwerp, Belgium (‘92-95),
- West County Christian in Chesterfield, MO (2000-05),
- Overlake Christian (‘06-11) in Redmond, WA,
- Northshore Christian (‘12-16) in Everett, WA, and
- Vero Christian Church in Vero Beach, FL (’16-present).
Kriss is now serving on the Board of Directors for the Care Net Pregnancy Center of Indian River County in Vero Beach, Florida. He was elected to the Board in 2019 and has served as Former Board President in April 2020.
Kriss likes to travel with Tammie in their motorhome, attend Seattle Seahawks football games, bowling, and Formula 1/NASCAR auto racing.
Kriss and Tammie have two grown children (Katrina and Kyle) and three grandchildren.
Maria Camacho
BOARD SECRETARY
Maria has served on the Board of Directors at Care Net IRC since 2017 and is currently the Board Secretary. As a young mother, she began supporting Care Net by bringing in baby items and diapers. Having experienced an unplanned pregnancy at the age of 16, she understands that feeling of fear and helplessness. She believes in the mission of Care Net and loves that the center provides education, assistance, and loving support to those who are in desperate need.
Dr. James Presley, MD, FACOG
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Presley is the Medical Director at Care Net IRC. He was born in Joplin, Missouri but was raised in Phoenix, Arizona until his family moved to West Palm Beach Florida in 1966. He completed high school at Suncoast HS in 1973. He achieved his Bachelor’s degree in Zoology at the University of South Florida in 1977. He then attended and graduated from University of Miami School of Medicine in 1981. He entered active military service and completed his residency in Obstetric and Gynecology at Tripler Army Medical Center in 1985. He then served as staff physician in the department of OB/GYN at Fort Leonardwood in Missouri from 7/1985 to 7/1988. He was then sent to Heidelberg Germany, where he was chief of the department of OB/GYN from 7/1988 to 7/1991. During this time, he also saw detached duty with the 128th Combat Support Hospital during Operation Desert Storm from 12/28/1990 to 5/1991. He left active military service in July of 1991, and entered private practice in 8/1991 to 5/01/2022. He left briefly from 7/1992 to 7/1993 to complete a fellowship in Pelvic Surgery at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, KS.
He is married, and has two daughters and 6 grandchildren. Hobbies include traveling, SCUBA diving, and playing the Trombone. He also recently started working with a local Boy Scout Troop as his church’s chartered representative. He now works part time as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Florida Community Health Centers, and is a volunteer physician at the HANDS clinic in Port Saint Lucie.
Bonnie Fallone-Otto
BOARD MEMBER
Bonnie Fallone-Otto is serving on the Board of Directors at Care Net IRC.
Seeking a purposeful life has always motivated Bonnie. This, together with a strong faith helped navigate through almost 30 years as a sales, international marketing services and archival executive for Warner Bros. Studios in Hollywood CA.
After a successful career, she moved to Vero Beach in 2020 to be closer to family and to pursue other interests. She was led to Care Net by the encouragement of a friend and now fellow board member. When told of Care Net, the incredible services, the hope given, the lives saved, and herself always having a heart for the unborn, she knew where she wanted to be and serve.
While in California she served children’s ministries as a member of Church of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, and now presently serves Pathway Women’s Ministries at Pathway Church in Vero Beach.
Bonnie’s interests are varied; from an interest in aviation where she used to fly single engine aircraft to being an equestrian, to having a love of travel and cooking.
She has a grown son, Ryan.
Chandler Gingras
BOARD MEMBER
Chandler serves on the Board of Directors for Care Net IRC. He’s been serving since 2023. His wife, Erin, began volunteering in January 2021, which is one of the key factors leading to the opportunity to join the Board of Directors. Chandler believes Care Net IRC’s role in supporting women who choose to have their baby is important, and he is honored to help fulfill Care Net’s mission.
Chandler grew up and graduated high school in Fountain, Minnesota. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance at The University of Florida. Over the course of 28 years, he served as Controller/CFO for several construction companies. With almost 30 years of experience in business, his goal is to use his skills to assist with the important ministry of Care Net IRC.
He has been married to his wonderful wife for 25 years. Chandler considers Vero Beach his hometown because his wife and family moved here in 2002 to raise their three sons. He enjoys golf, playing guitar, shooting guns, the Florida Gators, cooking, and sports cars.
Matthew 11:28 “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’ ”
Picture coming soon.
Picture coming soon.
Sally Guy
BOARD MEMBER
Sally Guy is serving on the Board of Directors at Care Net IRC. Her biography will be coming soon.
George Pastor
BOARD MEMBER
George Pastor is serving on the Board of Directors at Care Net IRC. His biography will be coming soon.
Picture coming soon.
Picture coming soon.
Kim Westcott
BOARD MEMBER
Kim Westcott is serving on the Board of Directors at Care Net IRC. Her biography will be coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Champion is someone who supports, promotes & advocates for the mission of Care Net Pregnancy Center by:
To learn more about becoming a Champion and to get involved in any of the ministry opportunities above, simply click on them.
As a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, all donations & gifts are tax deductible.
We accept checks, credit cards, and PayPal.
If you would like to learn more information on how you can give click here.
At Care Net we believe that life is a gift from God and that abortion compounds rather than solves the problems associated with unplanned pregnancies. Because of this we do not refer or recommend our clients to have an abortion.
Instead we provide a caring and confidential atmosphere for every person who seeks our help. Clients meet with well-trained, dedicated, and understanding client advocates, equipped to help meet their needs and walk with them through the entire pregnancy and beyond.
Through our efforts, 115 babies have been born last year. Of those 115 babies, 14 were saved from abortion (that we know of).
Since the ministry started in Indian River County, many more babies have been saved from an abortion!
We believe every child is a gift from God and should be given the right to live. Will you join us in the fight for abundant life?
A Champion is someone who supports, promotes & advocates for the mission of Care Net Pregnancy Center by:
To learn more about becoming a Champion and to get involved in any of the ministry opportunities above, simply click on them.
As a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, all donations & gifts are tax deductible.
We accept checks, credit cards, and PayPal.
If you would like to learn more information on how you can give click here.
At Care Net we believe that life is a gift from God and that abortion compounds rather than solves the problems associated with unplanned pregnancies. Because of this we do not refer or recommend our clients to have an abortion.
Instead we provide a caring and confidential atmosphere for every person who seeks our help. Clients meet with well-trained, dedicated, and understanding client advocates, equipped to help meet their needs and walk with them through the entire pregnancy and beyond.
Through our efforts, 115 babies have been born last year. Of those 115 babies, 14 were saved from abortion (that we know of).
Since the ministry started in Indian River County, many more babies have been saved from an abortion!
We believe every child is a gift from God and should be given the right to live. Will you join us in the fight for abundant life?
Contact Us
Care Net Pregnancy Center of Indian River County
1355 37th St, Suite 301
Vero Beach, Florida 32960
Phone: 772-569-7939
Fax: 772-569-7944
Office Hours:
Monday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Thursday 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Appointments Suggested
Walk-Ins Welcome