Magdalene’s Mission is solely owned by Kayla M. Donaldson, and all major decisions are voted for and decided upon by a Board of Directors (below). Magdalene’s Mission is not an extension of, or partner to, any other nonprofit.

The Magdalene’s Mission team:

President/Founder/CEO- a.k.a person in charge

Kayla M. Donaldson was the sole operator of the yearly fundraiser, The Valentine’s Day Purse Project for the first six years before establishing it as a year-round nonprofit Magdalene’s Mission.

Kayla developed in a very poor and nomadic environment.  The real, the necessary, experience comes from being a 14 year old runaway in South Bronx, New York. It comes from years of living with the gangs and on the streets in various cities and small towns all over the country. This is why Kayla knows what people need. She's not judging anyone and giving them what she thinks they need. She remembers that this is a different world. A secret world. Trust is hard won and sacred. Everything most people take for granted does not even exist in this world. 

She has a degree in writing, as well as college education in the fields of social work, anthropology, and journalism. Kayla was Assistant Director of Project Stay for the Justice In Mental Health Organization. She uses her education and experience over the past three decades to act as what she likes to call, “a freelance social-worker”. Kayla has also been a member and ministry leader at People’s Evangelical Free Church in Pinckney Michigan since 2009.

Vice President

Susan M Corwin: Sue Corwin is the wife of a pastor, and has many years of experience with community support, nonprofit organizations, and inner-city concerns with marginalized populations. She is the artists behind every year’s painting fundraiser.

Second Vice President

Traci L Powell: Traci Powell has been volunteering alongside Kayla, and helping Kayla since the Valentine’s Day Purse Project days. She has lived in Detroit and been out on the streets to pass out purses to prostituted women and communities at risk since 2017. She is also a stylist who networks with many influential and successful women. Her energy and devotion to Magdalene’s Mission are irreplaceable. Traci is in charge of the clothes. Traci is my right hand in everything.

Treasurer

Sarah L.M. Mengoni is our treasurer on the Board of Directors. Sarah has extensive life experience working in some of the countries largest cities all over the world. She has been a contributor and supporter of Magdalene’s Mission since it’s very inception. Sarah LM Mengoni has an uncanny talent for organization, and truly inspiring uses of creativity in every project she has her name on.

secretary

Wen Chaperon

Our newest board member has been boots on the street and behind the scenes since 2023. She is the meticulous organizer of the group. Her insight and energy have been a positive resource for the mission.

Secretary– Wen Chaperon (bio coming soon!)

Board Member

Bobbie Merrill

And…

We were blessed to have Ann Janike preparing a lot of our meals, and for making super soft snuggle blankies.

Mazur Automotive for donating our crucial Distribution and Outreach Vehicle- Maggie the Van

Jillana Blake’s tireless efforts at helping sort and organize.

Danielle Woods sorting and organizing clothes.

Kelly Bowen and her mom donating all their blankets clothes, and shopping to buy Christmas presents for 50 people.

People’s Church for promoting, supporting, working, storing, everything, everything.

Mary Anderson Bischak who brings a carload of bags and hygiene products every month.

Meghan Ellis for that time I told her some people fresh off the street who had a baby and nursery but nothing in it, and she changed everything for them and they deserved it.

Jerry Tanner- who was always building places for Magdalene’s Mission in the church. He truly cared.

Sarah Jane for selling $1,000 worth of rubber bracelets.

The Wearne Family who donated enough money to carry us through the entire winter.

lillian R Powell- who is ready to do whatever needs to be done on tuesday.

my Junior- Mouse, a.k.a. Marley, a.k.a. Felix- From street outreach to loading coolers, this kid can do it all. What’s more- they have.

julie Grandquist- for the generous food donations

Christian Community Bible Church in Brighton- those ladies are amazing!

Living Water Church in Whitmore Lake

Rod McComber for his consistent support since the beginning.

bonnie sheldon- queen of sorting and organizing clothes

patrick & marian bonnie- for being diligent volunteers, and showing me the true meaning of being a disciple of Jesus Christ

cecelia Stema- For her Tuesday night outreach skills, her daughter’s skills, and her truck!

Sally Sibula- For helping me with Admin and Grant writing, plus street outreach in detroit

Allyn– for those amazing tents, sleeping bags, and other crucial donations

PJ Sapienza- Pepper Spray Angel!

Pops & Grams Bubblehead- For flashlights and purses

Miss Julie from For Kids Sake- Because she brings me cookies once a month. And always 2 per baggie!

Wen and Sommer Chaperon– Wen, for her Secretary service, and Sommer for making Sandwiches and packing meals every week

sarah LM mengoni- for being our treasurer, keeping our finances legal, filing our taxes, and Maintaining our budget, and all the emotional and financial support and donations

traci Powell- for her relentless commitment to being a genuine servant of God, and friend to all people. She has believed in this mission since it was the Purse Project. She is truly committed to being there for our friends on the streets of Detroit each week. She is fearless and loyal. I couldn’t ask for a better Friday.

Nick Woods- Nick owns the Jets Pizza in hartland that has fed all of our fundraisers since the Beginning. Since the store caught fire in December, Nick used his extra time to drive us to and through detroit on Tuesday night. He is a perfect fit. We feel safer with him there, and so do all our friends on the street.

street outreach medicine- These guys are how I was able to focus on human trafficking victims. These Medical volunteers, as well as Volunteers in a variety of other community resource volunteers who are trained and able to assist people with getting housing, and ID’s.

Fort Street Presbyterian Church- For hosting Magdalene’s Mission. They have made a space for us in Detroit. The positive impact that has on our outreach cannot be overstated.

Allyn Hastie and her husband for supplying a miraculous number of sleeping bags, tents, and warm clothes!

Julie Grandquist for supplying the food that saves thousands of lives a year.

Lilli Powell, because she is unlimited helpful at every turn and in every situation. Weather its making sandwiches, setting up an event, or moving an entire storage unit- Lilli is #1.

My husband, Sean Donaldson, for his never ending patience with the mess, generosity to cover expenses when we can’t, and his ability to lift heavy things for me.

And… everyone who ever wrote me a check, passed me your cash in a card or a hand shake, left anything on my porch, at my church, in my van, Traci’s salon, or shared my post…

We are all Magdalene’s Mission. We are all making the difference.

peace, love & hygiene!