HandsOn - Battle Creek

Jim is a native of Battle Creek.  He graduated from St. Philip Catholic Central, the University of St. Thomas and St. John’s Provincial Seminary. He is married to Samantha, who serves as the Executive Director of the Community HealthCare Connections.  He is the proud father of eleven year old twin daughters, Emily and Hannah. 

Jim is involved in the community as a member of the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools Board, the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools Foundation Board and the Girls on the Run Steering Committee.

Nicoline (Nicky) Tarchala joined HandsOn in March of 2010. Nicky was born in Germany and moved to Battle Creek when she was 5. After high school Nicky attended Kellogg Community College and University of Texas San Antonio. Before joining HandsOn Nicky and husband John C. Tarchala, owned John Charles Fine Portraiture Studio, which they closed in October of 2009. Prior to joining her husband in the photography business, Nicky was with Junior Achievement. While working at the Battle Creek Junior Achievement office she was a Program Manger for elementary school programs. Nicky then moved into the position of Job Shadow Coordinator for Calhoun County, where she placed students in local business and companies throughout the county. Nicky also was the Program Manger at Junior Achievement of Kalamazoo and Van Buren Counties. Her responsibilities there included elementary and high school programming along with event planning and fundraising.

Nicky is passionate about connecting people with the community through volunteering and collaborating with all organizations and businesses to strengthen the community engagement for Calhoun County.

Abby Buckley is the new Youth Program Coordinator at HandsOn. Abby joined the Hands On staff in March of 2010. She was born and raised in Battle Creek, graduating from St. Philip Catholic Central High School in 2005. After high school, Abby attended Albion College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a concentration in Human Services. While attending Albion, Abby worked with Albion Public Schools interning with the school’s Social Worker.  Abby has also worked in St. Joseph PreSchool, here in Battle Creek.

In her current position, Abby oversees a variety of programs available to the youth such as SummerServe, the Youth Public Engagement Internship program, the Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute, and the service and recreation initiative within Battle Creek Public Schools. With much of her previous experience spent in the school systems, Abby hopes to reach out to K-12 students and encourage them to grasp the idea of volunteerism at a young age in order to continue lifelong dedication to service to make the community a better place for everyone.

Karen has been employed as a part-time bookkeeper at HandsOn for 30 years.  She also works part-time as a bookkeeper at Regional Pathology Consultants. If you want HandsOn history just ask Karen!

Outside of work Martin is very active in his local church and loves working with youth. Martin also likes to listen to music and to attend live concerts. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and is always looking to make more friends.

Martin’s goal is to be an asset here at HandsOn Battle Creek and would love to know that after his year of service, HandsOn is in a better position to serve Calhoun County and continue to build a strong, caring community.