Executive Director, Ext. 13

CJ is our fearless leader.  You might find her in her office budgeting, in the computer lab mingling with tutors, or out in the community.  With LVGH since 1998, CJ served first as Director of Development and in July 2005 was appointed Executive Director.  She is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and holds an A.B. and M.A. in Psychology.  Although she doesn’t look a day over 25, CJ has over 20 years experience in non-profit program delivery and management.  Prior to LVGH, CJ was Director of Development for the Cobb School Montessori and Director of Family Support Services for United Cerebral Palsy.  CJ has studied German, Latin, Greek and Hebrew and was raised in a bilingual home.  If you want proof, just get CJ excited and some of that Italian is bound to come out.

Administrative Assistant, Ext. 10

Miriam is that first smiling face you see when you walk through our purple doors.  Bilingual in Spanish and English, Miriam is at the center of all that we do at LVGH.  Miriam is responsible for reception, student screening and relations, database and record management, facilities and office management.  On staff since 1994, Miriam started with LVGH as an ESOL tutor, and we knew it would be foolish to let her get away.

 Program Development Director, Ext. 14

Mark is your point of contact for the Tutor Training Workshop and during your journey as an LVGH tutor.  His responsibilities include program oversight, data analysis, and community outreach.  With a background in education and over 15 years of experience in Connecticut community-based nonprofits, Mark brings a wealth of expertise in program management and curriculum development.  Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in social work, both from the University of Connecticut.  If you want to get on his good side, strike up a conversation with Mark about horror movies or music.  He’s a wealth of knowledge.

Paula Beninato

ESOL Program Manager, Ext. 16

paula.beninato@lvgh.org

Paula is your point person for all things ESOL.  A graduate of Capital Community College, Paula is completing her bachelors at Charter Oak College.  Prior to joining LVGH, Paula ran the Clark School Family Resource Center, where for the past ten years she taught adult literacy and parent education classes as well as administered all Resource Center programs. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.  Paula loves animals, and she’s been known to take in a stray kitten or two.  Paula is also a whiz with Microsoft Excel.

Rose Howard

Basic Literacy Program Manager, Ext. 15

Rose is not as tall as she might look.  That’s because you will never see her without her three inch heels, making her stature a bit deceiving.  Rose heads up our Basic Literacy program, and she does so with enthusiasm and a good sense of humor.  Since 2000 she’s been with LVGH and touched the lives of many students in Hartford, Bloomfield, and formerly at the Clark Family Resource Center.

Community Engagement Specialist, Ext. 10

Penny started out here as a tutor in 2005 and has helped out in many areas:  program delivery, computer lab, and now with our e-communications and event planning.  A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Penny holds a BS in Accounting and is a CPA.  She is the face behind our e-newsletter collecting student stories and program news.  If you can’t find Penny, she might be at a UCONN football or basketball game.

Margie Arroyo, Program Assistant

Nicole Jenkins, Program Assistant

Sara LeMaster, Wickham Program Assistant

Rachel Waitzman, Program Assistant

D’Andra Whyte, Program Assistant