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. 16
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.
Erin Dotson-Kelly
Development Coordinator, Ext. 11
erin.dotsonkelly@lvgh.org
Erin is our Development Coordinator. She manages our fundraising programs, helps with event planning, and co-facilitates tutor training. A native of California, Erin earned her bachelor's degree in English/Film Studies from Scripps College and her master's degree in Education from Claremont Graduate University. Before joining us, she taught ESOL in CA public schools and in English immersion programs with students from all over the world. During her free time, Erin enjoys exploring Connecticut with her family. She also loves playing board games and cooking with her children.
Katie Gainer
Social Media Coordinator, Ext. 14
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 is a lifelong resident of Litchfield County, Connecticut, with the exception of the years she spent at UMASS Amherst earning a dual bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. A fierce proponent for helping others, Katie splits her time between LVGH and a domestic violence agency where she works as an advocate for survivors. When not at 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. 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. With several years of academic advising experience, Leo is our go to for helping students navigate higher education and become career ready. He coordinates our Career Pathways food services training program and maintains relationships with our employer partners. 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.
Marian Krivda
Child Care Coordinator
Marian is responsible for coordinating our child care program. She oversees all children and volunteers ensuring a safe and educational environment.
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.
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 – Basic Literacy
