GreyNickel Inc. was created as a supporter of Kinship Families. Our family members have been working on keeping families together for years. In the early 1950’s our Grandmother took in a friend’s son because she could no longer care for all her children, which is now considered Fictive Kin. Over the years our family have been Relative Placements, Foster Parents, Kinship Placements and Adoptive Parents. Our family has first-hand experience about the help that is needed to care for families that are going through a transition with other family members. Our Non-profit was formed to provide programs that give guidance and resources to help kinship families make the adjustment.
Victoria Gray- Founder and Executive Director of GreyNickel Inc.
​
Victoria Gray has over 25 years in the kinship and foster care industry. Victoria became a Relative placement for a grandchild in 1993, a Foster Parent of 41 children and adopted 7 grandchildren. She serves on Duet’s Grandparent’s Dream and Advisory Team; Steering Committee Member with the Arizona Grandparent Ambassadors; and a member of the Arizona Kinship Coalition. She worked as a Kinship Intake Specialist and helped kinship families get licensed through Foster Care to obtain benefits for the children in their care. She has advocated for many years at the Arizona Capitol with State Representatives and Senators to enact change.
Victoria has received the 2017 Generations United Grandfamilies Award; awarded Special Recognition for dedication to helping Kinship Families in March 2019 from Angela Ducey, First Lady of the State of Arizona and from the Casey Family Foundation the 2020 Casey Excellence for Children Award.
GreyNickel Inc. currently has two programs, KinshipHelp55 and Invisible Kinship Families, which gives families services and resources that are needed to help make kinship families successful.
Vincent Nicholes- Assistant Director and Treasurer
Vince Nicholes is a communications veteran with over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. As part of Google’s Global Network Acquisition team, he is responsible for the planning and acquisition of network assets like dark fiber, subsea cables and associated infrastructure around the globe. Within the community, Vince has led many efforts to help improve the lives of Phoenix residents. He has organized fundraisers for Title 1 students and sat on the boards of the Young Professionals of the Phoenix Symphony, Gamma Mu Educational Services and the Sphinx Educational Fund. Vince has also served as the Facilitator of one of the largest Children’s Church services in Phoenix. Vince and his wife Ericka are licensed foster parents and the proud parents of Ayanna, TaMara, Jalen. Emmett and Moon.
Cecelia Crawley - Programs Director
Cecelia Crawley is currently a retired teacher and is supporting the educational system by subbing at her previous school district. Her philosophy is that all students are capable of reaching their potential when their individual needs are met. She taught 24 years in Chicago, Illinois and 15 years in Avondale, Arizona. She has a bachelor of arts degree in business with a minor in health education. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Education in Early Childhood. Her love for children lead her to continue gaining knowledge and implementing changes to support her students. She was department lead, a mentor, and implemented parent education. Her passion for teaching was evident in her classroom, encounters with previous parents, and students’ comments.
Vaughn Nicholes- Communications
Vaughn Nicholes is a native of Chicago, Illinois. Vaughn brings over 30 years of communications experience to GreyNickel Inc. His close ties to Kinship Families and their struggles inspires him to connect with different communities and organizations to help guide them to the help they need.
Advisory Team Members
​
Ursula Garza
Sherry Griffin
John Hicks
Barbara Covey
​
In Loving Memory
Lauri Devine- 2020
Elaine Cauley- 2021
Ann Nichols- 2023