Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford

Staff

To reach our staff, call the main office number, (860) 233-3853 and the extension number below.

Stephen Morris
Executive Director, Ext. 113
stephen.morris@lvgh.org

Steve is our Executive Director. He oversees grant research, writing, and reporting, as well as manages agency operations and strategic planning.  Steve has seen all sides of LVGH prior to his current role, starting first as a computer lab volunteer, then as a Program Assistant for the Basic Literacy program. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business from UConn and a master’s degree in International Management from King’s College London. Outside of LVGH, you will find Steve planning his next travel adventure, reading about early American history, or plotting ways to get the Hartford Whalers to return to the capital city.

Vanessa Cruz
Office Manager, Ext. 110
vanessa.cruz@lvgh.org

Vanessa Cruz is our Office Manager. Vanessa greets all visitors at our front desk and is dedicated to helping our students and staff. She’s bilingual and can speak both Spanish and English. She assists with our intake process, welcoming/guiding students, and helping us make sure things run smoothly. When not at LVGH, you can find Vanessa with her two adorable cats watching and reading One Piece together.

Jackie Dugan
Childcare Coordinator

Jackie is LVGH's Childcare Coordinator and enjoys coming up with activities to keep our young students engaged. She attended Our Lady of Elms College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. After working at Allstate Insurance Company, she became a stay-at-home mom raising two daughters. Over the years, Jackie has volunteered for various programs at her church and her kids’ schools. When not at LVGH, she enjoys traveling with the family, long walks with her loyal golden retriever (Logan) and reading the latest best seller.

Katie Gainer
Communications Director, Ext. 114
kathlyn.gainer@lvgh.org

Katie manages all things communication here at LVGH, including our social media pages, our e-newsletter, and this very website. She attended UMASS Amherst where she earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Outside of work, Katie can be found out catching a concert as often as at home reading a good book. She is happy to chat about all things music, movies, books and more, but be warned- after enough conversation, she will probably try to guess your zodiac sign.

Rebecca Hawkins
Director of Programs, Ext. 125
rebecca.hawkins@lvgh.org

Rebecca is our Director of Programs. She ensures that students have the proper resources they need to succeed. She has a Bachelors in Political Science from UConn and a Masters from Teachers College at Columbia University. Rebecca has a passion for travel and education which is clear from the moment you meet her. She is fluent in Italian and even had the chance to live in Florence, Italy where she taught ESOL for five years! Previously, before moving back to CT, she worked as a High School Social Studies Teacher in NYC. You’ll usually find her keeping her tiny humans and plants alive.

Rose Howard
Basic Literacy Program Manager, Ext. 115
rose.howard@lvgh.org

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, coordinating and supporting Basic Literacy students and tutors in Hartford, and she does so with enthusiasm, warmth, and a good sense of humor. Rose also manages our Community Development Block Grant and oversees the work of our Basic Literacy Program Assistants. She’s been with LVGH for over fifteen years, and during that time she has touched the lives of countless students in Hartford, Bloomfield, and formerly at the Clark Family Resource Center.

Diane Klingman
Development Officer, Ext. 112
diane.klingman@lvgh.org

Diane is our Development Officer, managing all fundraising efforts to support LVGH’s mission and its programs. She first joined LVGH as a volunteer ESOL tutor in 2018. Like so many of our tutors, Diane believes she has gained much more in experience and inspiration from her hard-working students than she could ever provide during their weekly classes. Diane is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. When not at LVGH, you will find her reading, taking long walks or attempting to tame her backyard garden. She loves spending time with her family, traveling and cheering on the Hartford Yard Goats.

Cecilia LaBoy
Basic Literacy Program Assistant

Cecilia is a Basic Literacy Program Assistant. She was originally a student at LVGH and eventually sought out the opportunity to work with us! Cecilia is from Peru and travels there with her husband to visit family and friends. One of Cecilia’s favorite activities is going to the movie theater and watching the latest movies in sci-fi or fantasy.

Christina Mercado
Assistant Director, Ext. 127
christina.mercado@lvgh.org

Christina is our Assistant Director. She assists with the Career Pathways Program and grant writing. Christina previously worked in public and academic libraries, where she discovered that although she is an introvert, she loves meeting new people (in addition to her love of books). Christina attended UCONN where she developed a passion for Latino Studies and Creative Writing. She volunteered at Second Chance Educational Alliance Inc. where she taught History, Spanish and Sci-Fi and Fantasy Literature to individuals at MacDougal Walker Correctional Facility. During the summer, Christina works as a pet sitter to all sorts of animals. Outside of work, Christina loves watching movies with her cat (Charli), playing video games with friends and going shopping with her grandma.

Hla Mohamed
Program Assistant

Hla is a current student at the University of Connecticut, studying Political Science and American Sign Language. In addition to working as a Program Assistant for evening classes, she is also a tutor for the Basic ESOL class in our East Hartford location. Hla is bilingual, speaking both English and Arabic. When not at LVGH, she is spending time with family and watching movies.
Kristen Mongillo
Basic Literacy Program Assistant

 

Kristen Mongillo is the Basic Literacy Program Assistant. She greets visitors at our front desk and assists in supporting operations of the Basic Literacy Program. Kristen is also a basic literacy tutor and is dedicated to providing an accessible and fun learning environment for all readers. Kristen has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Connecticut and has attended the Boston University Wheelock College of Education where she studied for her master’s degree in Curriculum & Education. Prior to joining LVGH, Kristen was a 7th grade ELA teacher in Springfield, Massachusetts. When Kristen is not in the classroom teaching reading, you can find her with her nose in a book (usually a fantasy book). In addition to her passion for reading and education, Kristen enjoys spending time with her friends and family and volunteering for various organizations in Connecticut.
Brenda Ordonez
ESOL Program Manager, Ext. 116

 

Brenda is our ESOL Program Manager. She oversees the ESOL programming and intakes to ensure both tutors and students have the resources and support they need. She’s bilingual and can speak both Spanish and English. She attended Trinity College where she earned a bachelor's in Educational Studies and Studio Arts. During college, she volunteered as an ESL tutor for two years and helped develop a tutor program guide. Outside of LVGH, you’ll find Brenda doing something creative, such as painting and photography, or plotting her next road trip adventure. 

Kathy Sweeney
Career Navigator, Ext. 117
kathy.sweeney@lvgh.org

Kathy is our Career Navigator. She provides career planning and job search services for LVGH’s Career Pathways students. She also partners with employers, educational institutions and community organizations to facilitate placement opportunities. Kathy previously served as our Training and Development Manager and has taught ESOL classes for ten years at LVGH. She has a B.A. in Spanish and Secondary Education and a Master’s in Human Resources Management. When not at LVGH, you’ll find Kathy spending time with friends and family, and exploring the Maine coast.