Rhonda is an experienced program manager, clinical supervisor, consultant, trainer, and clinician. She manages Wediko’s home-based and outpatient group practice, superivising a committed staff of clinicians and paraprofessionals who provide in-home family therapy, individual therapy, wraparound support, and therapeutic mentoring to children and families living in Boston. She also sees individual clients at Wediko’s Boston office. Rhonda was a member of Wediko’s Massachusetts Child Trauma Project team, a statewide initiative to incorporate evidence-based trauma interventions into the work with children and families who are involved with the child welfare system. She has extensive training in the assessment and treatment of psychological trauma. She is passionate about helping people find space and awareness to allow for and accept difficult emotions. Rhonda is also a runner, swimmer, yogini, and parent to a high schooler.

Valerie Abrigo was born in NYC and moved to Boston for grad school in 2011 and has made this city her home! She has been serving both English- and Spanish-speaking families, as well as individual clients of all ages, since 2009. Valerie has worked in a variety of settings including therapeutic summer camp, intensive outpatient partial care, CBAT, community mental health clinics and community-based programming. In her free time, Valerie enjoys tinkering in the kitchen, exploring farmers’ markets and developing both mindfulness & strength on her yoga mat.

Elizabeth was born and raised in California. She made the big move to Boston after working at the Wediko Summer Program in 2012. She continued to work in the mental health field by working as a mental health counselor on an inpatient psychiatric unit. Elizabeth has now come back to Wediko on their Home-Based Services team. She graduated from the University of California in Irvine with degrees in Chicano/Latino Studies and Psychology. Elizabeth loves cooking all time favorites and discovering new recipes. She’s currently stuck on soft tofu soup from the Kaju Tofu House in Allston.

After completing his MSW in New York City, Brandon moved to Boston to join the Wediko Team as an In-Home Therapist. He brings with him a diverse background working with issues ranging from substance abuse and homelessness, to personality disorders. Brandon was intensively trained in Dialectal Behavior Therapy and applies the principles of Mindfulness to all aspects of his life. With his passion for working with families, and his sense of humor, he proudly joins the Wediko team.

After graduating college, Luisa began working at the Wediko Extended School Year (ESY) Program in the summer of 2011. She enjoyed her initial experience with Wediko and continued in Wediko’s School-Based Services, supporting inclusion in Boston Public Schools for the next two years. Currently, she is enjoying her role as one of the office coordinators in the Boston office.

Originally pursuing a career in international human rights, Annalise found her way to social work through her interest in working domestically with underserved communities and her passion for direct clinical practice. A graduate of the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration (SSA), she completed her clinical training at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Department of Psychiatry. Annalise worked as the lead research assistant at the University of Chicago Medicine’s Thirty Million Words Initiative and conducted research at SSA, investigating methods to support low-income, minority fathers’ engagement in medical and mental health services provided for their children. Annalise is particularly interested in the effects of early-childhood trauma, fostering the inclusion of fathers in children’s mental health treatment, and the effects of mass incarceration on families and communities. Annalise loves hiking, baking, reading, her family and dogs.

Allie Forbes is a New Hampshire native who began working for Wediko Children’s Services in 2011 for the Summer Program. Within Wediko, Allie has worked for the Summer Program, School-Based Services, Admissions Department, and has recently joined the Community-Based Solutions team. Allie graduated from Saint Anselm College in 2011 with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Sociology with an emphasis on Social Work. Allie enjoys the outdoors, yoga, sports, and chocolate! She is excited to start this new chapter at Wediko, and looks forward to continuing her education.

Widlynn graduated from University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Sociology and a certificate in Criminal Justice in 2012. She is currently finishing her masters and dual licensure in Counseling Psychology: Mental Health Counseling and Couples and Family Therapy at William James College in Newton. Widlynn has a history of working with youth across ages from diverse populations implementing youth curriculums, promoting youth empowerment and engagement. Widlynn recently left her position as a Case Manager at Action Boston for Community Development to join Wediko. There she assisted students in researching different career fields, establishing life goals, and conducting job readiness and financial literacy workshops. Widlynn enjoys reading, eating, and an occasional run on the treadmill. Widlynn is excited and looks forward to new experiences at Wediko and the families she will encounter.

Nicholas Mollica has been working in the field of human rights and with at-risk youth since 2007. He helped to develop a culturally-relevant health promotion program for Cambodian youth in Lynn, MA. He has worked with multicultural youth as a member of a refugee resettlement team for the International Institute of Boston, and at a non-profit that specializes in working with trauma and torture survivors. Most recently he has interned as a counselor at a therapeutic high school program in Bolton, MA. Nicholas graduated from Lesley University in 2014 with a BA in Global Studies. Nicholas is an avid Boston sports fan and Marvel comic lover. He enjoys being outdoors, cooking and playing basketball. Nicholas is excited to be a new member of the Wediko family and continuing his education in the field.

Alisa is a native of Boston and considers it a blessing to work in service to the community that she calls home. As the MassSTART Program Manager, Alisa brings energy, passion and commitment to her role, seeking to support her staff in meeting the needs of the enrolled students and families. After a short time away, Alisa returned to Wediko, excited to further Wediko’s mission.

Neusa was born in Cabo Verde and immigrated to Boston with her family when she was 13 years old. She graduated from Pine Manor College with her B.A in Biopsychology and a minor in Drama and Theatre. After giving back to her community of Cabo Verde in Boston, she joined Peace Corps as a HIV/AIDS and Community Development volunteer in Botswana and later joined Peace Corps Cabo Verde and worked as the Training Director and Community Development Program Assistant. Neusa started working with Wediko as the MassSTART Case Manager in June 2013 and has a passion for teaching, dancing, and traveling, which she tries to integrate in her daily life.

Marsha has a Human Services, and Social Sciences degree. Her professional background includes and is not limited to working with families, adults, teen-parents, and youth of various ages. With over ten years of related experience, Marsha have gained a strong foundation in applying theory to practice in a wide range of human service modalities, as well as related behavioral science approaches to community issues. She continues to serve as a volunteer in various urban communities as a Community Outreach Worker, outreaching, advocating, organizing and facilitating family and student activities and/or health education; while providing support service referrals to families with at risk/off track youth, in collaboration with providers and school personnel to assure academic success. Marsha’s versatile qualifications also, includes her ability to provide holistic/spiritual guidance mentoring; she is bilingual in English and Haitian Creole. She have acquired skills necessary to intervene and effects change at all levels of human endeavors. She is committed to the principles of social justice, individual /community empowerment, diversity and cultural competency; and would work in such a way that could help to remove and/or reduce barriers, while promoting the likes of positive human growth in development. As a new edition to the Wediko Team, Marsha looks forward to working in an environment that will provide her with the tools necessary to excel at various levels, as well as learning new skills that will allow room for both individual and professional growth.

Jessica is a case manager with Wediko’s MassSTART program and is excited to bring her experience as a former Boston Public School teacher to her work at Wediko. Her primary areas of interest are working with school aged children in a school environment. She looks forward to many new learning experiences with her colleagues at Wediko.

From as early as 14 years old, Yasmina began working with children and their families in schools and in their community. Everyday she becomes a little more culturally competent, mindful, and knowledgable of her work ethics, values, and skills required to make a positive difference in the lives of those she helps. Today, she continues to dedicate her career in working with children and families as a passionate believer in developing nurturing relationships, while supporting and advocating individual talents, ideas, and ambitions. Her primary goal is to help provide a positive influence to youths, and their families, so they also have the opportunity to grow into affirmative, independent learners and create an unbreakable community, together.

Kareem Hines is from South Burlington Vermont and moved to Boston in the summer of 2015, when he began graduate school. He completed his undergraduate bachelor’s degree in social work at Western New England University and graduated in May of 2015. He is currently a student at Wheelock College working to receive his Masters in Social Work by May of 2016. He will be an intern case manager for the Wediko MassSTART program as well as an intern in the Living With Loss program at Wediko this year.