To reach our staff, call the main office number, (860) 233-3853 and the extension number below.
Carol “CJ” Hauss
Executive Director, Ext. 13
cj.hauss@lvgh.org
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. She also serves on the leadership team of MoveUp!, a partnership of adult literacy and workforce development providers in the Greater Hartford region. With LVGH since 1998, CJ served first as Director of Development, and in 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 twenty-five years experience in nonprofit development 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 Portuguese, 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!
Paula Beninato
ESOL Program Manager, Ext. 14
paula.beninato@lvgh.org
Paula is your point person for all things ESOL, our largest program. She coordinates ESOL student intake, assessment, and placement, and works closely with tutors and Program Assistants to support their work with students at our Hartford and East Hartford locations. Paula holds a bachelor’s degree from Charter Oak State College. Prior to joining LVGH over ten years ago, Paula ran the Clark School Family Resource Center, where for ten years she taught adult literacy and parent education classes and administered all Resource Center programs. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. Paula loves animals – she’s been known to take in a stray kitten or two – and also loves taking care of her grandson.
Rebecca Hawkins
Director of Programs, Ext. 25
rebecca.hawkins@lvgh.org
Rebecca is our Director of Programs. She oversees the Career Pathways Programming and 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 cooking for friends or plotting her next bucket list adventure.
Rose Howard
Basic Literacy Program Manager, Ext. 15
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.
Leo Jones
Career Pathways Facilitator, Ext. 26
leo.jones@lvgh.org
Leo is our Career Pathways Facilitator and is the go to for our Job Readiness Program. He also provides support to the Wickham Literacy Center in East Hartford. Leo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from ECSU and a Master’s degree in Counseling – Student Development in Higher Education from CCSU. With a strong passion for community service and education, Leo brings a ton of enthusiasm to LVGH. In his free time he enjoys playing basketball and showing and breeding English Bulldogs and American Bullies.
Kristen Lapenta
Digital Literacy Program Manager, Ext. 16
kristen.lapenta@lvgh.org
Kristen is your point person for all things digital. She coordinates our digital literacy programming, co-facilitates tutor training, assists event planning, and supports all of our online communications, including our e-newsletter, social media, and website. Kristen holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut. In her free time, you might find Kristen horseback riding – she volunteers at a therapeutic riding camp – as well as cooking, practicing yoga, or visiting NYC to see a Broadway show.
Miriam Lopez
Administrative Assistant, Ext. 10
miriam.lopez@lvgh.org
Miriam has been welcoming students and volunteers at the Hartford Literacy Center for over twenty years, and she never forgets a face. Bilingual in Spanish and English, Miriam is at the center of all that we do at LVGH, handling 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.
Stephen Morris
Assistant Director, Operations, Ext. 27
stephen.morris@lvgh.org
Steve is our Assistant Director of Operations. He assists in grant research, writing, and reporting, as well as supporting 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.
Okhyang Park
Child Care Coordinator
Oky is responsible for coordinating our child care program. She oversees all children and volunteers ensuring a safe and educational environment. Oky holds a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education from Chung-Ang University in Seoul, South Korea. Originally from South Korea, Oky has lived and traveled all over, but has been residing in Connecticut with her husband for the past 16 years. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and visiting her family and friends back home.
Katie Reaves
Director of Development and Communications, Ext. 11
katie.reaves@lvgh.org
As our Director of Development and Communications, Katie does all things fundraising, communications and development at LVGH. Her responsibilities include organizing our Annual Fund, Events, Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications. With many years of experience in development, Katie brings experience and new ideas to LVGH. Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from CCSU and a master’s degree in Urban Planning from SCSU. Katie is a mom and loves taking day trips with her son Carter. She also loves to travel (Cape Cod is her go-to destination), re-finish furniture, practice yoga, bike or be outside when the weather is nice.
Kathy Sweeney
Training and Development Manager, Ext. 17
kathy.sweeney@lvgh.org
Kathy is responsible for volunteer tutor training as well as career and job readiness counseling and training for students. She is a seasoned training professional with expertise in curriculum design, program management, skills and competency training, leadership development and coaching. She was most recently V.P. of Talent Development at Magellan Health in Avon, CT. Kathy holds a M.S. in Human Resources Management and a B.A. in Spanish and Secondary Education. She is a Fellow and graduate of Encore!Hartford. For three years prior to joining the team, Kathy served as a volunteer ESOL tutor. Kathy is very grateful for the opportunity to work at LVGH. Throughout her career, she has had a special calling to teach. In her free time, you’ll find Kathy traveling to Ogunquit, Maine, walking or working out at the gym and spending time with family and friends.
Program Assistants:
Margie Arroyo – ESOL
Nicole James – Basic Literacy
Cecilia LaBoy – Wickham Literacy Center
