Staff & Board – Rockford Urban Ministries

Stanley Campbell, Executive Director

Stanley Campbell was hired in 1985 as director of Rockford Urban Ministries. Sometimes called “The only paid peace activist in Rockford Illinois,” he is happy to have a career that lets him do what he loves: peace & justice work for the Lord.

Stanley says “as a Vietnam veteran, that’s where I learned to hate war and love peace. Upon my return home, I marched with other veterans against that war.” A long-time Rockford resident, he found healing by helping others, and established the Rock Valley food pantry after graduating from Rock Valley Community College in 1976.

Since hired by RUM (as it is affectionately known) Mr. Campbell started non-profit organizations including JustGoods fair trade market, Rockford Work Camps, and the Harm Reduction Outreach, a needle exchange and counseling program to IV drug users and street sex providers (which is now no longer in operation).

RUM moved to Seventh Street in Rockford and established a “shalom zone” to put ever diminishing resources into one area. Helping the local nonprofits, primarily Zion Development, RUM brought in work crews, helped shut down bars and liquor establishments, and founded a fair trade store. A wind generator now graces the building, thanks to the generosity of individuals and churches throughout the Northern IL Conference.

The RUM office is at 201 Seventh Street, where Mr. Campbell is waiting to help you discover God’s Love through mission & ministry. He speaks out against war, urban sprawl, and treating the poor poorly. He speaks in favor of helping those less fortunate, for safer communities, and getting involved in mission & peace issues.

Rev. Violet Johnicker, Associate Director

Violet holds a Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary and a Master of Public Policy degree from Adler University with a Bachelors degree in nonprofit management. She has been involved with faith-based policy advocacy and social justice work ever since her undergraduate internship at the General Board of Church and Society, the United Methodist agency devoted to working for policies that live our faith, seek justice, and pursue peace. Violet joined the staff of Rockford Urban Ministries in July 2021 and is proud to be part of the community’s interfaith work to build love for neighbor into our public policies. She also serves as pastor of Brooke Road United Methodist Church in southeast Rockford. Find her on Twitter at @violetj or email her at rockfordurbanministries@gmail.com.

Board of Directors

David Jones, President
David is a retired Presbyterian USA minister. A veteran of the 1960’s civil rights movement he works to maintain voting rights achieved by others over the years.

Marlene Walker, Vice President

Jay Larson, Treasurer

Karen Hill, Secretary

Stephen Bowie

Rev. Stephen Bowie (Steve) is the pastor of Third Presbyterian Church, located at 1221 Custer Ave in Rockford, the home radio station WTPB-LP 99.3 FM which can be found streaming at wtpblp.com. He is married to Rev. Dr. Kristin Frederich. He has a passion for fracturing the color and cultural divides in the city of Rockford, beginning with the northwest quarter of the city.

David Black

David is a retired attorney providing pro bono representation for sealing and expunging criminal records through Prairie State Legal Services.

Keith Kelsey-Powell

Fabiola Grandon-Mayer

Calvin Culpepper

Dick Wang