NJSACC Afterschool Ambassadors
The NJSACC Afterschool Ambassadors are a select group of leaders in New Jersey’s Afterschool communities who volunteer to serve as spokespeople, conveners and resources for the field. Afterschool Ambassadors will work with NJSACC to build countywide networks of afterschool organizations, advocates and partners. Located in each of New Jersey’s twenty-one counties, Afterschool Ambassadors will develop public awareness of afterschool issues, build a strong network for afterschool program professionals, and establish professional development opportunities throughout the state.
Contact the Afterschool Ambassador in your county to get information about training, meetings or just connect to share ideas, resources and information.
| Ambassador | County |
| Rosalind Norrell-Nance | Atlantic |
| Paul Casey | Bergen |
| Sebastian Rodriguez | Bergen |
| Martha Lawless | Burlington |
| Lorin Powell | Camden |
| Cynthia Angelo | Cumberland |
| Theresa McKay-Booth | Cumberland |
| Hazel Dlugos | Essex |
| Dorine Francis | Essex |
| Piedad Vasquez | Essex |
| Denise Bernheim | Gloucester |
| David Inigo | Hudson |
| Bill Roberts | Hudson |
| Aurora Pipeling | Hunterdon |
| Tina Blackledge | Mercer |
| Melissa Conklin | Mercer |
| Michael MacEwan Jr. | Middlesex |
| Dawn Rannie-White | Middlesex |
| Angela Ahbez-Anderson | Monmouth |
| Jane Sharp | Monmouth |
| Antonio Arenas | Morris |
| Terrance Reagan | Ocean |
| Helen Simpson | Ocean |
| Robert Foster | Passaic |
| Terrence Love | Passaic |
| Harriette Parrish-Rossi | Passaic |
| Kathrine Handte | Salem |
| Quanae Palmer Chambliss | Somerset |
| Theresa Roessner | Somerset |
| Mark Arnowitz | Sussex |
| Sarah Hardy | Union |
| Sharon Towler | Union |
| Jason Kolucki | Warren |
Rosalind Norrell-Nance
Atlantic County Afterschool Ambassador
Rosalind Norrell-Nance currently serves as the director for AtlantiCare Behavioral Health's four Atlantic City Family Centers. The centers provide services that allow for a single point of entry for children and their families seeking educational, social, recreational, cultural and behavioral health services. Mrs. Norrell-Nance has developed and administered services for children and families for over twenty-six years, beginning with her tenure as the community liaison under Mayor James L. Usry's municipal government and then as the first women City Council President in the history of Atlantic City.
Email Roz
Paul Casey
Bergen County Afterschool Ambassador
Sebastian Rodriguez
Bergen County Afterschool Ambassador
Sebastian is the Deputy Director 22 ACES Clubs After School Programs and Arthur Ashe Education Guidance Program, a portfolio of 22 schools, totaling over $3.5 million serving over 1600 participants in throughhout NYC. Prior to this position, Sebastian served as a Program Officer with New Jersey After 3, providing technical assistance to 20 after school programs across the state. Sebastian is responsible for grants and contract management, for a portfolio of 20 contracts and 20 after school programs totaling approximately $3.5 million serving over 4,000 children in 28 schools in 6 NJ counties.Sebastian has a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Administration from St. John's University and a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management from The New School University. Sebastian has a very active volunteer portfolio serving on the Teaneck board of education, Bergen LEADS, the Bergen County Hispanic American Advisory Council
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Marty Lawless
Burlington County Afterschool Ambassador
Marty is from New Jersey and attended elementary school in Palmyra, NJ (Burlington Co). Marty received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Glassboro State College - now Rowan Univ. (Gloucester Co.) and taught in the Woodbury Public Schools for 8 years. Living in Willingboro (Burlington Co), Marty was a "stay-at-home mom" when her two sons were little, and then began working in the after school field in 1987 at a local church. When Willingboro Schools opened a "latch-key" program in their elementary schools in 1990, Marty joined the staff as a site coordinator. She became the District Coordinator of the Willingboro Before/After School Program in 1992. Over the years, the program has expanded to care for 3 & 4-year-olds attending the district's Pre-K classes, and to provide 7 weeks of full-time care during the summer. Marty has enjoyed being a part of the vast changes in Afterschool in NJ since joining NJSACC in the early 1990's.In her free time, Marty enjoys doing crafts and she "collects fabric" occasionally making blankets or simple quilts.
www.willingboroschools.org
Email Marty
Lorin D. Powell
Camden County Afterschool Ambassador
Lorin Powell is currently the Executive Director of Children Services at Archway Programs, a human services and special education non-profit organization. In this role, she oversees both the school age childcare services and Early Intervention services for the organization. Lorin has worked her entire career serving children and families. After receiving her master's degree in art therapy from George Washington University, she was a group and individual art therapist. She continued to work as an art therapist and, later became an administrator for a child welfare agency, Southern Home Services in Philadelphia, PA. In 2001, she was then led to Archway Programs as director of the school age childcare program Just Kids: one of the largest multisite programs in the state, serving over 1100 students each day. Just Kids is a quality before and after-school enrichment program. She was promoted to Executive Director in 2008. Children are her passion and what brings her laughter and joy. Lorin lives in Shamong, NJ with her husband and two high school age children. She is also very involved in the youth ministry of her church with her husband.
Just Kids: An Archway Program www.archwayprograms.org
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Cynthia Angelo Cumberland County Afterschool Ambassador
Theresa McKay-Booth
Cumberland County Afterschool Ambassador
Hazel D'Lugos
Essex County Afterschool Ambassador
Hazel Dlugos is the After School /Summer Enrichment Program Manager at La Casa de Don Pedro, an organization dedicated to fostering empowerment, cultivating self-sufficiency and promoting community revitalization in the city of Newark. Before coming to La Casa de Don Pedro, Inc., Hazel worked as an operations manager for various retail companies. Hazel seeks out opportunities to give back to the community. She works diligently to keep children in the program mindful of their community obligations to those who are less fortunate.
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Dorine Francis
Essex County Afterschool Ambassador
Piedad Vasquez
Essex County Afterschool Ambassador
Piedad Vasquez is currently the Division Manager for the Youth and Family Development Division at FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development, Inc. in Newark, NJ. She joined the FOCUS family in 1998 and has worked with after-school and family program for the last 10 years.
Piedad is a graduate of Montclair State University where she holds a BA in Sociology with a minor in Biology. She also received a scholarship from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development to complete a Non-Profit Management Certificate Program at Rutgers University.
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Denise Bernheim
Gloucester County Afterschool Ambassador
Denise Bernheim develops and educates staff on the implementation of educational theme based curriculum in after school programs. Ms. Bernheim has been a curriculum consultant and trainer for Work Family Directions in MA. She has sat on the board of Directors for the Prevention of School Violence at Temple University, managed Beacon Schools of Philadelphia, and wrote and received grants to run three after school programs in Philadelphia. Denise has presented workshops at the National AfterSchool Association Conference, the NJSACC Conference, the 21st Century Conference in New York, and is a curriculum trainer for NJSACC. Denise has experience directing, implementing, training, grant writing and managing programs. Her experiences have led her to pursue a personal involvement in the future of American education.
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David D. Inigo
Hudson County Afterschool Ambassador
David Inigo is the Deputy Regional Director for BELL New Jersey and is , responsible for managing and expanding NJ operations. This is David's fifth year at BELL. During his tenure, David has personally lead one of BELL's most successful after-school programs, P.S. 78 in the Bronx. Building effective relationships with the administration and funders, David administered all aspects of a five-day program serving up to 300 scholars, featuring attendance rates higher than 90% and supported by 21st Century Funding (NYS) and The After School Corporation (TASC), among others. In addition, David manages operations at other NY sites funded by sources such as SES and private funding. David resides in New Jersey and will be receiving his Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling in May, 2010 from Seton Hall University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Manhattanville College.
BELL: www.bellnational.org.
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Bill Roberts
Hudson County Afterschool Ambassador
Rori Pipeling
Hunterdon Afterschool Ambassador
Rori is proud to be the Founder of The Work-Family Connection in 1989. Since that time, she has held every position her organization as it grew from one to over twenty-five Before and After School Programs, Kindergarten Extended Day Programs and Summer Camp Programs all over the state of New Jersey. Rori truly loves working with our staff, our parents, and most of all seeing the smiles on the children's faces. Rori has a BA from Douglass College and graduated from the Wellesley College School-Age Care Leadership Institute. I have completed graduate credits at the Wharton School, Columbia Graduate School of Business, and Cornell University. I am trained in Positive Discipline, Conflict Resolution, and CPR & First Aid Instruction and has served as President and Board Member of the New Jersey School-Age Care Coalition. She is the proud mom of Katie and Clinton.
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Tina Blackledge
Mercer County Afterschool Ambassador
Tina Blackledge a graduate of Elizabeth City State University in the field of Heath, Physical Education and Recreation and also attended Montclair University for a teaching certificate in Driving Education. Tina taught 25 years in several High Schools in New Jersey and North Carolina and served many years as the Executive Director for out of school time programs in North Carolina and in Trenton New Jersey for 20 years. It is Tina's desire to see children in Afterschool Programs be exposed to every opportunity and to strive to get the best in life by attending college and developing their skills. Tina's 45 years with children of all ages has been the light of her life and she has enjoyed every moment.
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Melissa Conklin
Mercer County Afterschool Ambassador
Melissa Conklin has been working as a school-age child care professional for over 10 years. Melissa has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and Communications from Rider University and is currently am pursuing a Master's Degree with a matriculation in Supervision & Development. Melissa became involved with NJSACC ten years ago where she became a member of the planning committee for the Annual NJSACC Conference, where she later became Conference Chair for two years. Melissa's passion is creating a safe, enriching environment for children of all ages. She thrives on keeping children happy, and loves being apart of many organizations including the National AfterSchool Association, the Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development and as a Certified r.a.d. Kids Instructor. Melissa is currently the Program Administrator for West Windsor-Plainsboro Community Education and provides quality care during out-of-school time for over 700 students. Born and raised in Trenton, she currently lives in Burlington with her husband John and son Ian.
West Windsor-Plainsboro Community Education
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Mike MacEwan
Middlesex County Afterschool Ambassador
Michael MacEwan graduated from Stockton College in Pomona, NJ. He is a former wildlife biologist and science teacher who has worked to educate youth since 1998. He has extensive experience working with afterschool programs and extra-curricular activities. Michael has worked with children in all age groups from elementary, middle and high school, as well as college students and out of school youth. He promotes the importance of learning science, technology & math , as well as peer leadership and mentoring to all age groups.
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Dawn Rannie-White
Middlesex County Afterschool Ambassador
Dawn Rannie-White, LMSW is a dynamic consultant, social worker, educator, and facilitator who brings more than 15 years direct practice and administrative experience working with children and families. Dawn works with statewide organizations such as New Jersey School Age Care Coalition (NJSACC), NJ After 3, The After School Corporation (TASC) and Positive Conflict Management Associates. Dawn has extensive experience in developing and implementing curricula and facilitating trainings in the areas of conflict resolution, behavior management, communication skills, parent education and not for profit management.
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Angela Ahbez-Anderson
Monmouth County Afterschool Ambassador
Jane Sharp
Monmouth County Afterschool Ambassador
From 2000 to 2009, Jane worked in the Office of Early Care and Education in the NJ Department of Human Services where she coordinated the Map to Inclusive Child Care Team, managed afterschool contracts, developed resource materials, and conducted state and national trainings. From 1985 to 2000 Jane was a YMCA Director responsible for afterschool, summer camp and teen programs for over 2000 youth annually. Currently Jane is a private consultant providing professional development, grant writing, research/evaluation, strategic planning and support for inclusion to programs serving youth of all ages.
Sharp Ideas Consulting - www.sharp-ideas.org
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Antonio Arenas
Morris County Afterschool Ambassador
Terrance Reagan
Ocean County Afterschool Ambassador
Terry graduated from the College of New Jersey with a degree in Elementary Education and then went onto Rutgers University, Graduate School of Education and received a Masters of Education in Science. Currently, Terry is an Instructor at Rutgers University, Cook College, Teacher Education Program. Terry's tenure has included working to redesign and expand the Agriculture Education program at Cook College as well as a Youth Development course at Rutgers University and the creation and implementation of the Summer Institute for secondary teachers through the Food Consortium in conjunction with Rutgers University. Terry has taught at Middlesex County Vocational and Technical High Schools, New Brunswick Public Schools and Toms River school. Terry is an active member of several Professional organizations such as New Jersey Education Association, New Jersey Science Teacher Association, American Association of University Professors and the National Science Teachers Association
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Helen Simpson
Ocean County Afterschool Ambassador
Helen has been working in the Child Care field for over 20 years and is truly grateful to be able to be part of a child's life. The smiles she sees everyday really make this career the best! Helen believes that we are having an impact on tomorrow's leaders and we are charged with that duty to be the best we can be. Helen is grateful to be part of the Ambassadors program, to help spread the word about the great work that we do and the message of how important it is for children to have a safe place to be. Helen couldn't ask for a better way to spend her days!
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Robert Foster
Passaic County Afterschool Ambassador
Terrence Love
Passaic County Afterschool Ambassador
Harriette Parrish-Rossi Passaic County Afterschool Ambassador
Harriette is currently the Program Director of the After School Service Programs at the Haledon Board of Education. She developed the program as well as the summer program which has been in operation since 1999. Harriette has a Masters of Administrative Science from Farleigh Dickinson University as well as a graduate Certificate in Global Leadership Administration with a specialization in public management and leadership. Harriett is holds a Certification from the National Administrative Credential. Harriett is very active in her community of Wayne Township in areas of Community matters and the Boy Scouts.
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Kaiti Handte
Salem County Afterschool Ambassador
Kathrine Handte - Miss Kaiti to the kids was born and raised in Alloway New Jersey. She resides in Alloway her husband Mike and 2 children 15 year old Tara and 12 year old Mikey. Kaiti graduated from Woodstown High school in 1992 and received a Certificate in Early Childhood Education from Salem Community college in 1993. Kaiti has been working in the Alloway School Age Child Care program for 17 ½ years. Kaiti is very active in the community and serves as a Member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Alloway Township Fire Company (also a past President,) is a Member of the Ladies Auxiliary Alloway Memorial VFW Post #8224-Guard, and the "Kitchen Witch" for Buckshorn Sportsmen's Club. Kaiti enjoys being a part of the Alloway Halloween Parade Committee and serving as the Co-Chairperson for the PTA. for 11 years.
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Quanae Palmer Chamblis
Somerset County Afterschool Ambassador
Theresa Roessner
Somerset County Afterschool Ambassador
Theresa is the Program Director at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen and oversees 14 before and afterschool programs and one summer program in Somerset County. She has previously worked for other non for profit organizations overseeing four DYFS transitional facilities, as well as other afterschool programs. Theresa is very passionate about ensuring the future of our youth whether it be through appropriate activities during their out of school time or proper placement to guarantee a healthy upbringing.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen - ccdom.org
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Mark Arnowitz
Sussex County Afterschool Ambassador
Mark began his career in education in 2002. Teaching is Mark's third career. A Viet Nam-Era Veteran as well as a veteran of the pharmaceutical industry. Since taking the plunge into teaching, Mark has taught 3rd grade and 8th grade, but claims he has hit his stride as a 6th grade language arts teacher. In addition, Mark spends his evenings as an adjunct English professor at N.J.I.T.
When asked about his favorite professional achievement, Mark said, "Definitely becoming a G.R. Dodge Fellow. This enabled me to travel about the Caribbean and even do a little teaching in Costa Rica." Of his personal achievements, he lists "raising my three children: Sam, Ethan, and Emma, each a success in their own right." Mark is currently working on his National Board Teaching Certification, but is most proud of his first novel, "In the Summer of Brian Hyland", available on Amazon.com later this year. Mark lives with his wife Brenda in West Milford, and can usually be seen on weekends walking his dog "Boe" in the Ramapo Mountains of Northern New Jersey.
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Sarah Hardy
Union County Afterschool Ambassador
Sarah Hardy has been working with youth since high school when she first worked at a YMCA after school program. After college she continued to work with youth at a the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County as an art instructor. Sarah became a Site Director position one year later, and is currently working at the Plainfield Area YMCA as the Child Care Director. Sarah enjoys every moment working with youth, giving them a safe and fun after school program to attend.
Plainfield Area YMCA - www.plainfieldy.org
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Sharon Towler
Union County Afterschool Ambassador
Sharon received her BA degree in English Literature with a concentration in Education from Fairliegh Dickinson University. She then obtained a Masters Degree in Urban Education from William Paterson University. Sharon began teaching 8th grade teacher at St. Mary's elementary school in Newark, NJ. She later worked for Catholic Community Services (CCS) as a case manager and counselor with juveniles in Plainfield and Newark, NJ. In 2007 Sharon began working as the Program Director with Impact21. Impact 21's DASH (Destiny After School Haven) is an after-school program at her church, Agape Family Worship Center. DASH has served over 100 children who are engaged in academic achievement, Character Education, Theatrical Arts and a number of family workshops and trainings. Her love for encouraging and equipping children with self-esteem and motivation to succeed has always been her primary goal as an educator. Sharon believes that afterschool should be an extension of every Childs regular school day.
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Jason Kolucki
Warren County Afterschool Ambassador
Jason is the Head Teacher at the Netcong After School Program in Netcong, NJ. He is a former Assistant Director at the Trenton After School Program, a Multi-Site Coordinator for K-5 as well as the Middle School sites for the Mt. Olive Child Care and Learning Center in Budd Lake. His interest in child care comes from his past experiences, his love of his job and the connections that builds with children. He is honored to serve on the NJSACC board, and as an ambassador and help as many children as possible by helping to build the network of Afterschool providers in Warren County through meetings, trainings and sharing resources.
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