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Ana is a graduate of Welfare Rights Initiative's Community Leadership Program. Ana also has first hand experience of public assistance. She has been working with Welfare Rights Initiative since 2000, when she started as a work-study student. She now serves as the Administrative Coordinator, managing the internal fiscal and administrative aspects of the organization. Ana is also coordinating WRI's High School Organizing Project. This project aims to expand WRI's membership constituency to include high school students who might not otherwise recognize a pathway to leadership - much less an opportunity to pursue college as a route out of poverty. Ana has continued to work at WRI in order to raise awareness about the need for access to higher education and training for people receiving Public Assistance. As a low-income high school student, she was told that college was not in her future. Guidance counselors told her that she would never make it into Hunter College. Because of the support she received from family and friends, she was able to overcome fear and embarrassment and prove them wrong. She wants to empower and educate young people to live their dreams, and not allow others to block their path.
Roxanna Henry is a part-time undergraduate student at Hunter College and a graduate of Welfare Rights Initiative's Community Leadership Program. Roxanna started her educational journey in 1999 when New York City Human Resources Administration told her that she would not be allowed to attend school. Since that time, Roxanna has achieved her Associates degree in Human Services from LaGuardia Community College. Roxanna is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and continues at Hunter College where she in completing her bachelor's degree in Sociology. Currently, Roxanna works as Staff Associate for Legal Advocacy and Organizing. She advises students from NYC"s five boroughs on their rights to education and training. Roxanna's experience and values inspires her to declare, "Education is a RIGHT, not a privilege. That's WRI's motto and the heart of my soul existences."
Maureen Lane was a pilot year participant in the Community Leadership Seminar of Welfare Rights Initiative in 1995. She is currently serving as Co-Director. She shares the responsibility for mission, funding, reporting and overall governance of WRI. Maureen was supported by public assistance when she entered Hunter College. As an Honor's student in the Thomas Hunter Honors Program at Hunter, Maureen graduated with a Bachelor Degree in June 2000. She is now enrolled in the Master of Social Work program at Hunter College School of Social Work. As a Human Rights Fellow, Maureen was the Asylum Project intern for Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, 1995-1996. From 1996-2002, she chaired the Client Empowerment Committee for the Welfare Reform Network (WRN) of the Federation for Protestant Welfare Agencies. She serves on the Steering Committee of WRN, and the Advisory Board of Make the Road by Walking and Solutions for Economic Justice, Empowerment and Dignity (SEED). Maureen launched and spearheaded WRI's broad campaign to successfully pass New York State legislation, October 4, 2000, expanding access to education as a route out of poverty. Maureen has been instrumental in fostering sustainable relationships with policy makers, advocates, activists, academics, service providers, business and civic leaders to support WRI's mission.
Dillonna holds a Master's in Counseling Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is the 1995 recipient of the Brawley Award, which funded a research project at the University of the West Indies to document the impact of racism, sexism and poverty on women in Caribbean society. Dillonna joined WRI staff in 1997 to coordinate its Supportive Services program. She now serves as WRI Co-Director. Dillonna supervises and trains staff, social work interns and undergraduate students to operate WRI's programs. Dillonna assists in the development of curriculum and instructs WRI's Community Leadership training program that has trained 150 students to serve as leaders in welfare policy public debates. She plans, develops and implements projects in support of WRI's mission and vision for social change. She provides guidance and direction as WRI continues to create opportunities for staff and students to actively participate in welfare policy decision-making at the local, state and federal level.
Mayzabeth Lopez is a graduate of Welfare Rights Initiative's one-year intensive Community Leadership Program. Mayzabeth Lopez is also a recent Hunter graduate where she majored in Political Science and Sociology. Mayzabeth is a mother of a eight-year old boy and has past experience growing up in a family supported by public assistance. Mayzabeth has been working on staff with WRI for the past 5 years. As Coordinator for Legal Advocacy and Organizing, she has been a liaison between CUNY Law School interns that provide legal representation for CUNY students on public assistance. Mayzabeth manages WRI's "Know Your Rights line" where she provides referrals, and informs students on the rights to stay in school. In addition, Mayzabeth also conducts monthly "Know Your Rights" trainings that give students the tools to advocate for themselves while linking them to WRI's organizing work. Currently, Mayzabeth chairs the Client Empowerment Committee for the Welfare Reform Network (WRN) of the Federation for Protestant Welfare Agencies. Mayzabeth plans to pursue a law degree to continue her commitment to economic justice and community empowerment.
Jeanette Nazaire is a junior at Hunter College, majoring in Sociology and Women Studies. She is a graduate of the Community Leadership program at Welfare Rights Initiative (WRI). Jeanette has first hand experience of poverty and public assistance. Jeanette strongly believes in the potential of young girls to escape poverty by pursuing college. She has worked closely with a Girls Project that WRI piloted several years ago. She conducted presentations to over 100 high school girls living in households that are supported by public assistance. Jeanette enjoys her community outreach and activism work. She believes in sharing knowledge as a source of continued self and community empowerment. Upon graduation from Hunter College, Jeanette plans to pursue graduate studies in Social Work.
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