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.
Margie Arroyo
ESOL Program Assistant
Margie has been with LVGH for over 20 years. She started off as a volunteer and has become a permanent member of our LVGH family. She is a longtime resident of Hartford and a recent retiree from the State of CT. She was an Adult Probation Officer for 25 years. Margie is a graduate of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She has a Bachelor’s in Journalism with a minor in Spanish. When not at LVGH, you will find Margie doing community service anywhere in the Greater Hartford area with her sisters from Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. or spending time with her family.
Vanessa Cruz
Administrative Assistant
Vanessa Cruz is our administrative assistant. Though she is still fairly new to LVGH she is just as 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.
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 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. 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.
Nicole James
Basic Literacy Program Assistant
Nicole James is a Basic Literacy Program Assistant. She first joined LVGH as a floater, and transitioned through several roles including lab volunteer, classroom tutor, and Program Assistant at the Bloomfield Library. Nicole is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and works in IT.
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
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.
Jim Rogers
Chef Trainer
Kathy Sweeney
Career Navigator, Ext. 117
kathy.sweeney@lvgh.org
