WELCOME TO THE GREAT TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS FOR 2019-2020
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Jose Aguilar
Jose is a Montgomery College graduate and is currently going into his third year studying business administration at the University of Maryland. He was born in Bolivia, however he spent much of his childhood living in different countries such as Mexico, Peru, and Spain, before settling in Montgomery County at age 12. Having been an immigrant across the world, he has a great passion for helping and connecting with people of different cultural backgrounds. Jose currently serves at Montgomery Housing Partnership where he is one of the teachers at FLOW, an afterschool program for middle school students
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Blen Amde
Blen is a one of Americorps member who works with middle school girls to help create empowered generation of females. Blen knows and believes the work she’s doing can shape girls to be more independent, self empowered and confident now and in the future. Blen has be Ambassador of Summer R.I.S.E. (Real Interesting Summer Experience) is a locally funded initiative led by WorkSource Montgomery in collaboration with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and other partners, that will provide MCPS rising juniors and seniors with enriching summer career development experiences. Ambassador of Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) is a collaborative effort between Montgomery College, Montgomery County Public Schools, and the Universities at Shady Grove to support students and provide a seamless path to a bachelor’s degree. Class of 2018 Secretary in 2015 and President of CBHS (Community Bridges High School Program). Blen is Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) 10 certification in construction Safety and Health. Scholar Athlete Award in Fall 2015. Alpha Scholarship Endowment Fund of IVL award (Leadership Award) in 2016-2017. Honor Roll in 2015-2017. Blen is second year Bowie state university students studying to become one of the finest relationships and marriage counselor and minor in art. Blen believes the world would be a better place if we all help each other.
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Pearl Andrieu
Pearl is a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she studies International Relations and minors in International Development and Conflict Management. She was born in Burkina Faso and moved to Montgomery County when she was seven. She has experience working in youth and women empowerment through her internships at UNFPA ESARO and FAO in South Africa and Mali. Having worked in different communities, she has a deep understanding of structural injustices. Pearl is proud to have been raised by such a diverse and enriching community and wishes to use her skills to give back by strengthening community ties and by raising awareness on gender and racial inequity. Through her position at Community Bridges, she wishes to uplift young women and give them the tools to make informed decisions and become positive leaders. In her free time, she works on sustainable agriculture initiatives in Liberia and Uganda through her organization Roots Africa and enjoys watching SNL.
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Maria Baires
My name is Maria De Los Angeles Baires. I was born in Los Angeles, California. I enjoy helping others, I decided to join Americorp because I believe it would be great opportunity to give back to my community. I am committed to excellence. I am a graduate from Montgomery College and Towson University. I am interested in continuing my education in law and social administration. I am dedicated in helping the youth specifically in building confidence and inner strength.
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Milton Campbell
Milton Campbell is a Montgomery County native who is an alum of Montgomery county public schools. Milton is in his first year of AmeriCorps Project Change Member and he is working at Seneca Valley High School’s Career Readiness Education Academy (CREA) Program. He teaches career readiness and English as a Second Language (ESOL) to Immigrant youth who just come into the country. Besides working at Project Change. Milton is an avid watch collector and swimmer. Milton’s desire for volunteering for Project CHANGE is to inspire and increase the youth’s ability in themselves and what they can achieve.
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Gregory Corbett
Member of Project CHANGE /AmeriCorps Montgomery County, Maryland Serving a second term at Gaithersburg High School, leading English tutoring sessions to help ESOL students better understand their teachers. Ten years of experience providing case management/ human services to diverse populations. Facilitating psycho-education groups, including health education, anger/ stress management, hygiene, medication education, and relaxation techniques. Completing substitute teaching duties such as monitoring the class, executive daily itineraries, reviewing homework, and more. Knowledge of relapse prevention strategies, suggesting alternative behaviors to replace maladaptive ones. Masters of Science in Psychology 2018. Specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis Capella University Minneapolis, Minnesota Bachelors of Professional Studies 2004 Specialization Human Servic Metropolitan College of New York.
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Jason Dalle
A member of project change currently serving the Americorps Sligo Middle School program and the George B. Thomas Learning Academy Saturday School Program. I was former member UNFPA United Nations Population Fund Agency as an Intern for two summers. I am currently pursuing a A.A. Associate Degree In Political Science at Montgomery College. I want to serve the community in a meaningful and i find a passion being involved in Montgomery County. I am serving Montgomery County. Participated in the Montgomery College.
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Genean Grobe
Genean’s primary passion is to be of service to young people. As an AmeriCorps Alumni, Genean previously served in her hometown in Tidewater, Virginia, utilizing her theatre and performing arts background to serve K-12 students. She then spent several years working with preschool and elementary children in public and private Montessori schools and also teaching as an independent drama teaching artist. With a recently completed Master of Education degree from Loyola University Maryland, Genean aims to advance in the nonprofit sector serving children & youth at the community level, as she strongly believes in the value of after-school & enrichment programming. Genean is thrilled to be joining Project Change this year as an AmeriCorps intern with Montgomery Housing Partners.
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David Jorge
David Jorge is a Montgomery County native that attended Poolesville High School. He is soon to get his bachelors degree in Psychology December 2019. In the past he has interned as a campus ambassador for Peace Corps and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. He currently serves at Montgomery Housing Partnership where he assists a Pre-K program in the mornings and runs an elementary school literacy program in the afternoons. During his free time, you can find David writting and performing songs or playing soccer locally.
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Jennifer Mbiama
As an education major at the University of The District of Columbia, I’ve always had a passion for childhood development. Having experience working as a teacher and a mentor has given me the opportunity to see what children need and desire in an educational setting. I’m passionate about serving kids from Montgomery county because I was once in their shoes. Being a member of Project Change has not only restored my faith in humanity but has also given me hope in the society we live in.
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Rhoneka “Lex” Morgan
Childhood trauma and brokenness led her on a quest for self-discovery. Ultimately, Lex was guided to her healing journey. While on her journey, she discovered that her journey Serves as an inspiration to others. she learned that she doesn’t have to “have it all together” to show up in the world authentically. Her relentless commitment to living courageously motivates others to do the same! More than the decade of professional experience in the financial industry gave Lex phenomenal opportunities to serve as a leader, coach, liaison, and trainer. Her natural ability to connect with others fostered a healthy rapport with her clients and colleagues. while she served in this capacity life happened as it does for all of us she learned that to find fulfillment, she had to embrace her gifts wholeheartedly. Throughout her life, Lex has been captivating audiences with the miraculous Gifts of speaking and encouraging. She understands that healing is contagious and that her purpose is much bigger than she ever imagined! In that light, she studied to become a certified Life Strategies coach. As a Life Strategies coach and empowerment speaker, Lex offers a safe, judgment-free environment that encourages healing and emerging triumphantly.
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Claire Ettinger
Claire Ettinger is a graduate from Towson University, where she got a Bachelor Degree in Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration. Claire is originally from Washington DC, but has grown up Takoma Park MD and still lives in Takoma Park to this day. Her decision to do a year of service with AmeriCorp came from a love of helping her community. With her experience in coaching high school aged girls in softball, she has become passionate in helping young girls realize their potential in life. Claire is also working on creating her own nonprofit that will raise awareness on Mental Health and how it effects student athletes in both High School and College. During her AmeriCorp term, she will be working with Community Bridges and their Elementary School program.
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Ben Mourad
My journey in public service began midway through my junior year of highschool. I realised then that I was passionate about solving the problem: How can people better work together, especially surrounding politics? I spent the next two years independently studying and entertaining thought experiments for what I could do after highschool. After developing the beginnings of this ethical/moral philosophy, I found an opportunity to begin applying and further developing the philosophy in the newly established Restorative Justice unit at MCPS. I began there as an unpaid intern in October 2018 and am now beginning my second year there. Half way through my first year as an intern, I found an opportunity through Americorps to be paid for my effort in addition and this has allowed me to comfortable continue down this path. My vision has since changed from my junior year, and I have refined my passion into creating communities that create communities. My journey toward this goal begins with empowering individuals, and I am looking forward to continuing my story with Americorps Project Change!
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Angela Mulumba
Angela is a graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County where she received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. While learning more about this subject, she grew a great interest in helping more youth succeed. Her interest stemmed from understanding various aspects, such as understanding youth’s struggles and behaviors. Angela was born and raised in Montgomery County, where she wishes to continue to make a positive impact in the community. She recently completed her term as an AmeriCorps VISTA where she got to work on a Racial Equity Inclusion project that addressed the inequities teens face in our community. She is very excited to start her year with Project Change at her site, Community Bridges, where it will give her the opportunity to engage and empower young girls in the community. She has always had a passion in youth development with dreams of one day becoming a counselor. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, reading, browsing art, traveling and finding new adventures.
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Akufuna Ngonda
A member of project CHANGE Montgomery currently serving the AmeriCorps Sligo Middle School program and the George B. Thomas Learning Academy’s Saturday School Program. I have over 18 years of youth mentoring experience in a faith-based organization, in civil society organizations and also with the private sector. My area of expertise is in the logical framework approach, instructional design methodology, project monitoring and evaluation of education systems. My experience revolves around collaborative advocacy as it pertains to organizational strategic development, citizen engagement, participatory democracy, sustainable development, economic, social and cultural rights. I have provided qualitative analysis in formulating and leading training programs along with organizing multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams at home office and in the field.Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and a minor in Philosophy from the University of Maryland University College Europe.
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Benjamin Schatz
Ben is excited to join the AmeriCorps Project Change Montgomery team. He was born and raised in the Washington D.C. area and is a graduate of Winston Churchill High School. While growing up, he studied percussion and performed with various ensembles in the DC metropolitan area. In 2008, he earned the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for being the best jazz artist at Churchill. In addition, Ben did musical tours to countries in Europe, and also toured and did service projects in the Middle East and Latin America. In the summer of 2009, he participated in the AIESEC Hope of the Future program in the Sichuan Province of China, offering assistance to young students who had been negatively affected from the 2008 earthquake. He is currently serving with a dual immersion Spanish/English kindergarten class at Brown Station Elementary School. After his year of service, plans to return to UMBC to earn his bachelor’s degree in history.
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AnneMarie Simon
AnneMarie is the AmeriCorps Project CHANGE member working in Children’s Bereavement Services. A native of College Park, Maryland, AnneMarie has extensive experience with youth-focused nonprofit organizations. During her internship with Big Brothers Big Sisters, AnneMarie was instrumental in matching “the Bigs and the Littles” and watching the relationships successfully develop. She also served as an AmeriCorps member with Jumpstart, a nonprofit organization that prepares children attending preschools in low-income neighborhoods for kindergarten by implementing early childhood curriculum. AnneMarie is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned a Bachelors of Science in Family Science. AnneMarie’s dedication to community service will allow her to make significant contributions to our Children’s Bereavement programs, advancing our mission of compassionate support.
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Alanna Taylor
Alanna Taylor brings over 24 years of work experience in program management, proposal writing, and event planning and promotion. She began her career as a project manager for real estate developers in affordable housing after working for several years as a community organizer. In 2010, she left her career in real estate that was constantly impacted by the volatility of the financial markets. Using her skills developed in real estate project and construction management, Ms. Taylor has assisted social entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, and faith-based institutions in writing grant proposals, organizing events and workshops, creating administrative systems and protocols, and managing daily operations. Through her lived experience with clinical depression and anxiety, she is passionate about developing initiatives that empower others to create holistic healthy lifestyles and safe spaces for healing.
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Elizabeth- Wede Fahnbulleh
Elizabeth-Wede Fahnbulleh is a second time AmeriCorps Volunteer; a seasoned Global Educator, Development Practitioner and emerging Social Media Influencer. Elizabeth brings over 15 years of experience in both urban education development and international program enrichment, combining expertise in arts-infused curriculum designs, and professional development training. Ms. Fahnbulleh completed her B.A. in Social Psychology from Trinity University, Washington, DC, and a Masters Degree in Sustainable Development specializing in Social Innovation from World Learning School for International Training. She is currently pursuing an MSW at The Catholic University of America. Elizabeth-Wede is a mother, daughter, sister, storyteller, change-maker and a lifelong learner.
For AmeriCorps Project Change, Liz is supporting the Thomas Edison High School of Technology-CREA (Career Readiness Education Academy) Program. She is building the programs’ social media platforms as well as supporting the Program Director in managing the day to day engagement of the program students.