We Are CCAOH

Shania Green-McIntosh is part of a family at our Southside Family Center in Hartford. She started as a client in the Stronger Families, Stronger Futures (SF2) program and started doing volunteer work in the clothing bank after her son started preschool at Catholic Charities. She has participated in business and employment training programs, while also serving on the center’s advisory committee. We deeply appreciate her willingness to give back.

Juan Montanez is a Parent Educator in our Parenting Support Services program based in Newington, which offers adults opportunities to become better mothers or fathers by gaining new skills and confidence. Before joining Catholic Charities, Juan coached high school football for 20 years, an experience that made him realize the importance of strong parents in children’s lives. It’s something he carries into his work each day.

Sandra Lerzundy-Price is the Director of Clinical Services at our Behavioral Health clinics in Hartford and Torrington. The Hartford clinic serves about 1,200 people a year who are dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, substance abuse, and more. Sandra is inspired by a belief that people can change and reaching out is the start of healing.

Angelica Flores is a Head Teacher in our School Readiness program at the Child Development Center in New Haven’s Fair Haven neighborhood. She says in addition to preparing children to succeed in kindergarten, the program helps families, many who are new in the country, learn how to improve their lives.

Karina Figueroa is a Family Specialist at the Waterbury Family Center, where she helps families with a variety of needs, such as acquiring diapers, filling out forms, finding work, and translations. As an immigrant from Peru more than two decades ago, she says she understands the struggles and wants to help people see light in the darkness.

Johnny Alicea leads our Fatherhood program at the Parker Memorial Family Center in Hartford. The program helps men become a stronger presence in their children’s lives while also helping them with finances, employment, education, and more. Johnny says “there’s a space in all men to learn a little bit about something that was never taught to us.”

Ana Javier is a Clinician in our Waterbury Behavioral Health Clinic and works with children and adults who face challenges related to mental health or substance use. The goal is to provide opportunities for them to improve their quality of life. Sometimes the first step to recovery, Ana says, is a phone call or a knock on a door. If you or someone you know needs help, call our clinic at 56 Church St. in Waterbury at 203-755-1196.

Brenda Everett is a Family Specialist who helps tenants in our Cathedral Green housing program in Hartford. She provides emotional support and advocacy for families and helps them with basic human needs or finding resources to provide food and clothing or rent and utility bills. Brenda also provides similar support to the high school students in our Matthew 25 Scholars program and their families.

Oscar Concepcion Jr. is a Human Resources Associate/Recruiter whose focus is on matching candidates with jobs in our Development Services and Early Childhood programs. Oscar is committed to combining data science with human resources.

Nellie Rivera is a Bilingual Clinician in our Hartford Behavioral Health Clinic, specializing in working with children. Her work also involves meeting with families to understand the dynamics and find the solution to the child’s needs. 

Elijah Long, a Direct Support Worker in our Limitless II Day program in Manchester, was inspired to this work by taking care of his grandmother. Working with adults with developmental disabilities, he says, puts a smile on his face everytime he gets to the program and sees individuals like Bill, who joins him in the video. We are blessed to have people like Elijah on our team.

Jahinelis Suarez is director of the Early Childhood program at our St. Stanislaus Family Center in Meriden. In addition to preparing children for kindergarten, she helps families obtain food, clothing and whatever else they need to live with the dignity we all deserve. Being part of the mission to provide help and create hope is what drives Jahinelis and we are blessed to have her on our team.

Alejandrina Torres worked in the dental field for years but wanted more. When a friend told her about our BOOST career pathway program, she found the opening to start a fulfilling career as a Dental Assistant. That involvement with Catholic Charities wasn’t her last. Alejandrina also completed an Entrepreneur program that teaches people how to start a business.

Steven Rivas is a Parent Educator in our Parenting Support Services program. Steven works with clients been referred from the Department of Children and Families, visiting their homes and talking to them about the reasons for the DCF intervention. He works with them to create a positive, safe home environment where the children and parents can develop and grow stronger.

A large part of Natalie Claude’s role as Director of Clinical Services for our Behavioral Health clinics in New Haven and Waterbury is helping staff provide the best care. She is motivated by seeing clients’ mental and physical health improving so they can help strengthen their families and the community. If you or anyone you know could use help, contact one of our Behavioral Health clinics.

Rasheena Toney is an Assistant Teacher in the School Readiness program at our Centro San Jose Family Center in New Haven. She is part of a team that helps children ages 2-5 build a foundation for lifetime learning and helps the families obtain the resources they need. For Sheena, the work matches her personal morals and we are blessed to have people like her on our team.

Luis Henriquez and Neleida Curbelo are a married couple who have been volunteers and active members of the Hispanic Senior Center in Hartford for a few years. Neleida says before they joined the center, which is part of our Institute for the Hispanic Family on Wadsworth Street, they were doing nothing and bored. That is a common story for others who join the center, where they have engage with others, take part in activities, dance and exercise, watch their health, and have lunch with friends. They are a family.

Jessica Knowlin has dreamed about her job since she was young, following her mother’s footsteps into a career working with developmentally disabled adults. Jessica supervises Enhanced Community Recreation activities at our Limitless program in Newington, one of two day programs offered by our Developmental Services division. This video was part of our celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March and also includes Jessica’s friend Dylan.

Vivian Bergeron is a TANF Case Manager based in our St. Stanislaus Family Center in Meriden and works with clients referred by the state’s Department of Social Services. Our five TANF Case Managers, who also work in Hartford, help clients overcome problems with employment, mental health, family struggles, and more.

Christina Jiménez is a Generalist in our Human Resources department, which assures our nearly 400 employees are prepared to promote our mission of providing help and creating hope. Her bilingual skills also ensure our Spanish-speaking team members get the help they need in the workplace.

Luis Santiago is Director of our Southside Family Center in Hartford. The center offers the BOOST career pathway program, a clothing bank, a home visiting program for new parents, early childhood programs, and more. Luis says the center is invaluable to the community. 

Jeffrey Shealey leads aerobics classes at both senior centers that Catholic Charities operates in Hartford. He is passionate about health, fitness and changing the lives of the seniors who fill his classes. Click here to learn more about our opportunities for seniors.

Nick Lebron is director of our Community Schools program, which provides opportunities in three Hartford public schools for students to improve academic and social skills. Nick is a Hartford native who believes his team truly makes an impact on our communities. Click to learn more.

Isabel Vergara is a Family Support Provider in the Stronger Families, Stronger Futures (SF2) program based at our Southside Family Center in Hartford. SF2 is a home visiting program that connects pregnant women and parents of young children to the resources that will help them thrive.