the people of project chance
President and Founder, BJ Szwedzinski
During her tenure as a special needs teacher, BJ brought her dog into the classroom and noticed the peace that permeated the environment. Having made that observation, she had the idea of pairing children and dogs to affect positive behavioral change. Combining her teaching and more than 40 years of professional dog training, BJ developed and launched Project Chance in 2008. Although she earned a degree in hospitality management, BJ went to grooming school and then worked with a trainer who showed dogs. She discovered her passion. In 1976, BJ founded Dog Leg Productions, a boarding, training and boot camp program for dogs. Additionally, she worked with dogs as an administrator for animal control and humane societies and then developed education programs. In schools, BJ taught kids about pet ownership and responsibilities. Having raised two daughters with mental health challenges, BJ has first-hand knowledge of the struggles parents face and the strategies she used with positive outcomes. BJ is committed to making a difference in the lives of kids with disabilities by integrating golden retriever service dogs. An advocate for service dogs and families, BJ works with local and regional non-profit agencies focusing on accessibility to resources and community integration for service dogs and kids with autism.
Meet The Board
KCJ Szwedzinksi, Executive Director & Co-Founder
KCJ Szwedzinksi, Executive Director & Co-Founder
KCJ Szwedzinksi, Executive Director & Co-Founder
KCJ is working on her Masters in Fine Arts at the University of Louisville, where she recently got a teacher's assistant position. After graduating from the University of North Florida, KCJ worked with biomedical autism pediatrician Dr. Julie Buckley as a homeschool proctor, service dog trainer and autism life skills coach to her dau
KCJ is working on her Masters in Fine Arts at the University of Louisville, where she recently got a teacher's assistant position. After graduating from the University of North Florida, KCJ worked with biomedical autism pediatrician Dr. Julie Buckley as a homeschool proctor, service dog trainer and autism life skills coach to her daughter Dani and Dani’s service dog Flux. While working in this unique environment KCJ integrated her knowledge of autism's behavioral presentation and medical possibilities. This combination of knowledge gives KCJ a unique understanding of how a service dog in concert with medications can have a profoundly positive effect on a child and his or her family.
Susan Sinor, Business Manager
KCJ Szwedzinksi, Executive Director & Co-Founder
KCJ Szwedzinksi, Executive Director & Co-Founder
Before retiring, Sue worked in the defense industry for almost 30 years. Her experience included both engineering tasks and program management. She was also a high school teacher for 14 years. She is a volunteer and a member of the Board of Directors for Project Chance. Sue writes books about the ‘red vest service dogs’ to help fam
Before retiring, Sue worked in the defense industry for almost 30 years. Her experience included both engineering tasks and program management. She was also a high school teacher for 14 years. She is a volunteer and a member of the Board of Directors for Project Chance. Sue writes books about the ‘red vest service dogs’ to help families better understand and enjoy their new four-legged family member. She and her husband, Buddy, live in Fernandina Beach, Florida, with their dog, two cats, and a variety of rotating Project Chance puppies.
Melissa Leen
Melissa Leen
Melissa Leen
Currently working as an event planner, Melissa is also completing her Masters in Nonprofit Management. Ideally, she wants to combine event planning and her commitment to volunteerism. Having seen firsthand how a Project Chance service dog, Shiloh, helped her nephew, William grow and mature and changed her family’s lives, she became
Currently working as an event planner, Melissa is also completing her Masters in Nonprofit Management. Ideally, she wants to combine event planning and her commitment to volunteerism. Having seen firsthand how a Project Chance service dog, Shiloh, helped her nephew, William grow and mature and changed her family’s lives, she became involved and joined the board. She knows what a service dog can do for children on the spectrum and believes in Project Chance and its mission. She wholeheartedly wants to aid in growing and sustaining this amazing organization. Melissa is married with one rescue dog and three rescue cats. A lifelong Jacksonville resident, she enjoys running, rock climbing, reading and spending time with her family.
Jenny Weaver
Melissa Leen
Melissa Leen
Jenny Weaver is a realtor for Watson Realty whose family is a donor to Project Chance and has one of our puppies, Kennedy She was born and raised in South Florida and is 1 of 4 kids adopted by two amazing parents. Jenny attended university in Tallahassee Florida and in Richmond VA., moved to Jacksonville in 2001 and eventually made her w
Jenny Weaver is a realtor for Watson Realty whose family is a donor to Project Chance and has one of our puppies, Kennedy She was born and raised in South Florida and is 1 of 4 kids adopted by two amazing parents. Jenny attended university in Tallahassee Florida and in Richmond VA., moved to Jacksonville in 2001 and eventually made her way south to St. Augustine. She met her spouse back in 2007 and later married in 2012. She has 3 wonderful, furry kids, who help fill the bottle of love. Jenny was a veterinary technician for 6 years, where she had the privilege of assisting many animals and their humans with medical issues and their overall health. After many years being a veterinary technician, she made the jump over to the law field, where she had the honor of working for amazing client's who suffered Traumatic Brain Injuries and needed help. Jenny loved helping them and seeing their success, confidence and happiness. Currently, she works as a realtor and loves helping others find their dream home!