Jeffrey Simons
Jeffrey was raised on the Southern California coast. After receiving a Master’s Degree in Intercultural Studies from Biola University, he and his family served in community development in Southern Mexico.
Jeffrey and his wife Syl returned to the United States in 2019, and shortly found their way to make Tucson home. Jeffrey joined TRM in 2022 as the Program Director for a new start-up program “Arrive and Thrive”. The program has flourished and grown under Jeffrey’s leadership.
Jeffrey and Syl are proud parents of 4 adult children. In his free time, Jeffrey enjoys everything about coffee, bicycling, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Terry Alexander
Terry was born and raised in Colorado along the front range. After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado, she moved to Arizona. She has been serving in administrative roles in various non-profits in Tucson since 2017.
She had the honor to join the TRM staff in 2024. This has been a “full circle opportunity” to work with the Refugee community. Her and her husband Rick have been volunteering in church settings for over 3 decades, often with a focus on international people groups. This opportunity is one that speaks to her heart to serve our neighbors in this wonderful way.
Terry and Rick have raised three wonderful children (2 sons and a daughter) and have two wonderful daughters-in-law. They now are enjoying the role of grandparenting to 3 beautiful grandkids. Whenever we get the chance, we will find ourselves out in nature or traveling with our family whenever possible.
Marjie Brecht
Marjie attended college in Kutztown, PA. She obtained her BA in Special Education. Marjie, her husband and their four children moved to Arizona in 2001. The kids are now grown and she loves spending time with them as well as her two grandchildren. Marjie and her husband attended info sessions where Cherie Gray would present valuable info about international cultures as well as local opportunities to connect with refugees. Marjie felt so encouraged by hearing Cherie speak that she wanted to know more and she began volunteering in many ways. She values the calling within the hearts of God’s people to get involved. And she loves mentoring the church as they build relationships with refugees.
Jesus Sandoval
Jesus was born and raised in Tucson, AZ. He graduated from Amphitheater High School where he enjoyed being a part of student leadership. While serving as president of 2 clubs, he was introduced to the refugee community and was eager to help raise awareness for their well-being. Jesus has two certificates in Ministry Leadership through Ministry Resources Institute. He has worked alongside several local churches, agencies, and nonprofits to raise awareness for refugees. He has also partnered and volunteered with Tucson Refugee Ministry since 2011.
Rhonda Martin
Rhonda was born in Illinois but has lived in Tucson for 22 years. She graduated from James E. Rogers College of Law at the U of A in 2017. Rhonda has been volunteering for a variety of Tucson ministries for the past two decades, and has been involved with Tucson Refugee Ministries for five years, serving in a variety of ways including being a craft teacher, craft coordinator, and counselor for Kids Kamp for the past 5 years.
Greta Culler
Greta grew up in Kentucky and after earning her bachelors came to Tucson for graduate school at the University of Arizona in the fall of 2023. While earning her Master’s degree she learned about Tucson Refugee Ministry through a family picnic. She fell in love with the refugee community and began volunteering weekly. Summer of 2024 she was an intern helping out with Kids Camp and the Teen girls’ group.
She Joined the TRM staff fall of 2024 as the Driving Coordinator, shortly after graduating from the University of Arizona with her Masters in Economics. She has always had a heart for service and for helping those who have found themselves in hard situations.
When Greta is not serving our refugee neighbors, she likes to find herself outdoors hiking. Greta also enjoys crafting when given the opportunity.
Affiliates
Gary Stokes
Gary’s passion is for serving ministries that are centered on Jesus and that reach out to every tongue and tribe and nation. He has degrees from Indiana University in Religious Studies and History, as well as an MBA in International Finance. Gary, his wife Susan, and their daughter Anna, arrived in Tucson in 2001 to restart Vineyard City Church. The church became the most diverse church in town, with folks from all economic, educational, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. During that time, Gary and Susan became leaders for the Vineyard church in Sri Lanka and currently work with six congregations there. Four years ago they helped start Goshen International Church, a diverse congregation aimed to be a community for young African refugees. Gary is now an advisor and mentor for the Tucson Refugee Ministry staff.
Arrive and Thrive
Dina Kramer
Dina is passionate about helping refugees build hope and a future through meaningful employment. She leads and coordinates job readiness and placement programs for refugees—both individuals and families—supporting their integration into the workforce and economic stability in Tucson. She is deeply committed to seeing people thrive in places where they once felt forgotten.
Dina holds a Master’s degree in Divinity, a Bachelor’s degree of Education in Population and Health, and a certification in Behavioral Health. She brings experience in teaching, interpretation, and community engagement.
Yvette Munezero
Nabila Nazir