About | Briarpatch Youth Services Youth Services

Briarpatch Youth Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization serving Dane County. The agency’s mission is:

Strengthening the Lives of Youth and Families

The organization was formed in 2003 by the merger of Briarpatch, Inc. (established 1971) and Community Adolescent Programs, Inc. (established 1978). Project HUGS (established 1995) joined the agency in 2009. The agency offers a broad array of services to youth who have runaway, are experiencing homelessness, and/or facing other challenges. Briarpatch works closely with local governments and other non-profit organizations to provide unique programs that fill service gaps in Dane County. Each year, Briarpatch serves approximately 2,000 unduplicated youth.

Board of Directors

MIKE NELL, President
Local Business Representative

PENNY SIMMONS, Secretary
Education Representative

JOSH HOESCH, Treasurer
Local Business Representative

ERIC APPIAH
Community Representative

JESSICA GILLETTE
Community Representative

BEN GONRING
Youth Justice Representative

BERNIE HOES
Education Representative

JERRY JOHNSON
Law Enforcement Representative

SARAH MILESTONE
Community Representative

JEAN PAPALIA
Community Representative

JILL PFEIFFER
Voting Member

ALONDRA PONCE
Youth Representative

VICKI SHAFFER
Community Representative

TOM WARD
Community Representative

Briarpatch Youth Services Staff

Jill Pfeiffer
Executive Director

Jay Kiefer
Program Director

Shannon Algrem
Director of Finance

Joseph B.
Grants & IT Director

Ian Carter
Development & Communications Director

Jen Ripp
Program Director – RHY Services

Runaway & Homeless Youth Programs

Abbe
Youth Advocate, Runaway & Homeless Youth Program

Jason
Facilities Manager

Kinthy
Youth Advocate, Shelter Program

Cedric
Youth Advocate Shelter Program

Jacqueline
Youth Advocate Shelter Program

Bender
Youth Advocate, Runaway & Homeless Youth Program

Andi
Youth Advocate, Runaway & Homeless Youth Program

Taylor
Teens Like Us Advocate, Runaway & Homeless Youth Program

Emily
Youth Shelter Manager, Shelter, Runaway & Homeless Youth Program

Dylan
Connections Advocate, Runaway & Homeless Youth Program

Sarah
Connections Advocate, Runaway & Homeless Youth Program

Kesha
Youth Advocate, Shelter Program

Will
Teens Like Us Advocate, Runaway & Homeless Youth Program

Justin
Program & Volunteer Manager, Runaway & Homeless Youth Program

Ollie
Teens Like Us Advocate, Runaway & Homeless Youth Program

Em
Teens Like Us Advocate, Runaway & Homeless Youth Program

Santos
Bilingual Runaway and Homeless Youth Advocate, Runaway & Homeless Youth Program

Willie
Program Manager, Street Outreach Program

Connie
Outreach & Housing Specialist, Street Outreach Program

Parent Support Program

Angie
Program Manager, Parent Support Program

Youth Employment Programs

Gary
Youth Employment Program Manager, Youth Job Center

Lex
Youth Employment Advocate, Youth Job Center

Restorative Justice Programs

Dominique
Program Manager, Restorative Justice Program

Shaneece
Youth Advocate, Restorative Justice Program

Court Involved Youth Programs

Dean
Program Manager, Youth Restitution Program

Cliff
Program Manager, Intensive Supervision Program

Jasmine
Senior Youth Advocate, Youth Restitution Program

Simona
Administrative Specialist, Youth Restitution Program

Amber
Work Team Supervisor/Youth Advocate, Youth Restitution Program

Mariah
Youth Advocate, Intensive Supervision Program & Youth Restitution Program

Kim
Youth Advocate, Intensive Supervision Program & Youth Restitution Program

Jonathan
Youth Advocate, Intensive Supervision Program & Youth Restitution Program

Whitney
Youth Advocate, Intensive Supervision Program & Youth Restitution Program

Jamie
Youth Advocate, Intensive Supervision Program & Youth Restitution Program

Macayla
Youth Advocate