Supporting Our Senior Neighbors

Stand Up For Seniors in Cherokee County

Stand Up for Seniors

Our Mission

Stand Up for Seniors provides essential support to low-income seniors and senior veterans in Cherokee County, protecting dignity, stability, and independence through practical, community-driven assistance.

Why We Exist

Many seniors live on fixed incomes that have not kept pace with rising housing, utility, and healthcare costs. Even a small unexpected expense can quickly create hardship. For some older adults, that means choosing between paying a bill, purchasing medication, or putting food on the table.
Stand Up for Seniors exists to close that gap. We step in during critical moments to provide practical support that stabilizes urgent situations and ensures older adults in our community can live safely and securely.

Our Story

Stand Up for Seniors was established in 2000 in response to the growing unmet needs of older adults in Cherokee County. Originally founded as the Volunteer Aging Council, the organization was built by community members who recognized that many seniors were struggling quietly — facing financial hardship, unsafe living conditions, and limited access to essential support. What began as a volunteer-driven effort has grown into a trusted local nonprofit committed to protecting the dignity, safety, and stability of seniors and senior veterans. Today, we continue that mission by providing practical assistance and community-based support to ensure no senior in our county is left without help.

Board of Directors

Stand Up for Seniors is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors composed of community leaders committed to protecting and strengthening the lives of older adults.

De Gale

De Gale serves as the Director of Stand Up for Seniors (SUFS), where she leads the organization’s mission to support low-income seniors throughout Cherokee County. With a deep commitment to serving older adults, De works closely with community partners, volunteers, and local organizations to ensure seniors have access to essential resources, support, and advocacy. Through her leadership, SUFS continues to expand its impact by connecting seniors with services that help them live safely, independently, and with dignity. De is passionate about making sure every senior in the community feels valued, supported, and never alone.

Ashley Cantwell

For 33 years, Ashley has dedicated her career to caring for others. Now transitioning into focused senior care, she continues to do what she loves most — supporting seniors, meeting their needs, and bringing joy into their daily lives. Ashley believes aging should be filled with dignity, fun, and connection. Whether providing companionship, assistance, or simply a listening ear, she is committed to helping seniors feel safe, respected, and celebrated.

Christian Kuswita

Christian Kuswita is the President and Owner of ComForCare Home Care providing medical and non-medical in-home services to people in the North Metro Atlanta area. Prior to opening the ComForCare Home Care office, Christian spent 25 years in Marketing and New Product Development with Fortune 500 companies including Citibank, Whirlpool Corporation and Newell Rubbermaid. Christian graduated with a bachelor of Accounting and Computer Information System from Monash University, a Graduate Certificate from Harvard University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.

Sabrina Kirkland

Sabrina Kirkland is the Executive Director of Encompass Ministries, a nonprofit organization committed to helping individuals and families regain stability through food assistance, employment strategies, and life skills training. With over two decades of nonprofit leadership experience, she has successfully expanded essential services for vulnerable populations and cultivated strong partnerships across faith-based, corporate, and civic sectors. Sabrina also serves as the Board Chair for Stand Up for Seniors, where she helps advocate for the needs of low-income and senior residents in North Central Georgia. She is deeply passionate about building resilient communities through practical support, strategic collaboration, and compassionate service.

Dominique R. Louis

Dominique R. Louis is an accomplished professional with a rich background spanning over two decades in project and operations management across diverse industries, including consulting, human resources, and senior care services. Since 2004, he has been a valued resident of Cherokee County, Georgia, where he, alongside his wife Midelyn, owns and operates a successful senior care service company headquartered in Canton. In his current role as the Executive Director of Cherokee Angel Senior Care, Dominique leads the comprehensive operations of the company, overseeing three senior care facilities in Cherokee County, managing relationships with 50 subcontracted facilities, and directing a daycare/respite care center for seniors. He is deeply committed to providing essential services to seniors in the community, reflecting his passion for orchestrating efficient operations and driving impactful projects to fruition

Tracie Ashley

Tracie Ashley is the Owner of Senior Planners and is passionate about serving seniors and the families who love them. She guides individuals through the often-overwhelming decisions that come with aging, health transitions, and long-term planning, always leading with advocacy, clarity, and compassion. Dedicated and relationship-driven, Tracie is known for her commitment to truly understanding each family’s unique needs. Her priority is finding the best possible fit for seniors while protecting their care, happiness, and overall well-being. Tracie did not enter this profession by accident; it was a calling. The desire to help others runs deep in her family, and her passion is rooted in personal experience as a caregiver. That journey gave her firsthand insight into the emotional and logistical challenges families face and continues to shape the thoughtful, hands-on support she provides today. Her mission is simple: to serve seniors with integrity, excellence, and heart, always putting people first.

Jessica Poole

Jessica Poole is a lifelong Georgia resident and dedicated Realtor with the award-winning Brad Poole Group, serving clients throughout Cobb, Cherokee, and Forsyth counties, with a focus on active adult and 55+ communities. She is a founding member of Compass Plus and holds both the Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designations, reflecting her commitment to serving older adults with expertise and compassion. Before transitioning to real estate, Jessica enjoyed a successful corporate sales career, earning multiple national awards with FedEx and achieving Top 2% sales recognition with another multi-billion-dollar corporation. She brings that same dedication, integrity, and client-first approach to every relationship. A proud mother and "Gigi" to five grandchildren, Jessica is passionate about giving back to her community and supporting organizations that make a lasting impact. She is committed to serving others with professionalism, compassion, and a genuine desire to help individuals and families thrive.

Janice Kimber

Serves as a dedicated Program Director with Phoenix Senior Living in a vibrant community where she creates an environment where residents feel valued and inspired to engage each day. Her commitment extends beyond her daily role, as she proudly serves on the board advocating for resources, dignity and protection of seniors in Cherokee County and beyond. Janice’s love for family is grounded in the community, raising her 2 children who are raising their children, in the county they all call home.

Madison Dinkelmann

Madison Dinkelmann serves as the Treasurer for Stand Up for Seniors, where she helps oversee the organization’s financial stewardship and supports fundraising and community initiatives that benefit seniors in Cherokee County. With over 15 years of experience in finance and business operations, Madison brings strong financial leadership and a heart for community service to the board. She cares deeply about the well-being of older adults and is passionate about helping ensure local seniors have access to the resources, support, and dignity they deserve.

Jane Ullom

Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent for 8 years with multiple companies. Moving to Medicare is complex and confusing; therefore, I put my clients first and provide education on all their Medicare coverage options, helping them make informed decisions. Once enrolled, I am available to provide them with peace of mind through ongoing support. Every person has different budgets and needs, so I feel my business aligns with Stand Up for Seniors’ mission to make a difference in the lives of the senior community.

Each board member brings professional expertise, community knowledge, and a shared commitment to ensuring the organization operates with accountability and long-term sustainability.