Staff

Friends – Boston Team

Abby Ames – Director of Programs

Abby has a true passion for working with vulnerable and under served students and families. Throughout college, she tutored low-performing elementary school students through America Reads and volunteered teaching English to recent immigrant women. These experiences were extremely rewarding and sparked her commitment to a career of service. Abby later worked as a peer mentor for ConnCAP (Upward Bound) and taught Spanish at Capital Breakthrough-Summerbridge, in Raleigh, NC. After graduating from the University of North Carolina she continued with graduate studies in Education. Abby then worked for two years in Ecuador as an international school counselor. She recently returned to the States and she is very excited to be joining Friends-Boston.

Nikki Ashmore – Program Manager

Nikki graduated from Indiana University in 2007 with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and International Studies. After completing a year of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Friends of the Children she will be continuing with the organization as Program Manager of the Positive Peers AmeriCorps Program. During her four years at IU Nikki volunteered with various organizations focused on improving the services for hungry and homeless families throughout the Bloomington community. She also volunteered with special needs children at a therapeutic riding facility where she helped them to ride horses and participate in therapy. She is looking forward to helping Friends expand their influence throughout the Boston community and to be involved with such a dynamic organization during this exciting time.

Noelia Cabrera – Friend

Noelia is a recent graduate from Emmanuel College. Her studies focused on Communications with a minor in Spanish. Her initial involvement with statically at-risk youth began with Teen Voices magazine where she participated in the mentoring program for teenage girls. Since then, working with children from underdeveloped communities became her passion. "I was fortunate enough to have a strong foundation growing up, and I feel as though it's my responsibility to share that with kids who aren't as fortunate as me."

William Heaston – Friend

William earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Creighton University in 2005, and it was during this time that his true passion for working with troubled youth and children was discovered. During his academic career at Creighton, William worked as a student/advocate for C.A.S.A (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for abused and neglected children and also tutored inner city youth at the Hope, an after-school enrichment program for children in Omaha, Nebraska. It was through these experiences that then prompted him to join the Jesuit Volunteer Corp., a national volunteer organization that reaches a myriad of populations in need. William was placed at Sojourner House, a family homeless shelter in Roxbury, where he worked as the child advocate and coordinator of the Children’s Program. It was this experience that truly solidified his desire to help children in need. He learned that “in order for children to truly thrive, they must have something safe and solid in their lives.” He is excited to be joining Friends because as a mentor he hopes to provide children with a sense of safety and strength. William truly believes in the hope that child advocacy and mentoring provide in the life of a child.

Holly Hughes – Development and Marketing Manager

Holly is currently an AmeriCorps VISTA serving with Friends-Boston as a Development and Marketing Manager. She recently graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in African Studies. Holly is passionate about community service and currently volunteers as a counselor at the HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Hotlines at Boston's AIDS Action Committee. While at BU, she spent five months volunteering with orphaned, abused and neglected children in Khayelitsha, South Africa; this experience has inspired her to dedicate the next year to helping children in her own community. She is very excited to serve her year at Friends-Boston.

Adkeem Jackson – Friend

Adkeem is committed to making a difference in the lives of Boston children. Prior to joining the Friends-Boston team, he worked as a youth counselor at Ambrose House in the South End and as a teacher for Autistic children at New England Center for Children. Adkeem shares Friends-Boston's belief that with positive guidance and role models, every child can reach his or her full potential. Adkeem Jackson is a graduate of Framingham State College where he majored in Sociology with a concentration in Deviance and Social Control as well as Psychology.

Andrew Mendosa – Friend

Andrew has worked with children in various settings since earning a Bachelors Degree from the College of Charleston in South Carolina in 2002. He majored in African History with a Double Minor in Spanish and Religious Studies, and participated in study abroad programs in West Africa and Chile. Andrew has worked with children at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in a diverse array of settings, including a private tutoring agency, summer camps, and public schools. He has taught and mentored children with a wide range of abilities, including ADHD, Aspergers Syndrome, Downs Syndrome, and students with emotional/psychological issues. Andrew believes that "education is the key for betterment," and he is firmly committed to the Friends' mission of motivating and providing guidance for children from at-risk, under-served communities in order to break the cycles of poverty and injustice and become valuable, contributing members of society. Andrew currently resides in Jamaica Plain.

Allison Narloch – Development and Marketing Manager

Allison Narloch is an AmeriCorps*VISTA who is currently serving her second year as a Development and Marketing Manager at Friends. She recently graduated from Massachusetts College of Art with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking. Her creativity as well as her enthusiasm for volunteer work makes her an important addition to the Friends team. Allison has always had a passion for being involved in her community. She was Student Government Representative for her department in school, a Special Olympics Ski coach, and taught community arts classes in her hometown of La Grande, Oregon. Allison is looking forward to another exciting year serving Friends-Boston.

Juli O'Connor – Friend

Juli holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Developmental Psychology from Fitchburg State College. While pursuing her degree, Juli was a two-sport athlete playing on both the varsity field hockey and softball teams. During school breaks, Juli worked in the Carver Public School System. Upon completing her degree, Juli accepted a position as a lead case manager at a Day Habilitation Program that supports adults with developmental disabilities. Although she loved serving these individuals, she missed working with children. Juli was drawn to Friends-Boston because of their unique strategies such as the amount of Achievers per Friend as well as the twelve year commitment. Juli is excited to join the Friends-Boston team and she hopes that she can draw from the amazing mentors she had growing up to help contribute to the success of her Achiever's education and future.

Rebekka S. Olsen –Director of Development and Operations

Rebekka S. Olsen is dedicated to supporting young people to reach their full potential and overcome any obstacles that stand in their way. Prior to joining Friends of the Children-Boston, Rebekka was Director of Public and Private Partnerships at Thompson Island Outward Bound, serving Boston Public Schools and students. She managed all institutional fundraising and created partnerships with other youth serving organizations and schools. She has also worked as an outdoor trip leader, preschool teacher and English teacher. Rebekka spent several years living and working in Brazil, where she first traveled as Rotary Fellow in 1996. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and serves as a Board member for La Esperanza Housing & Development Casas de la Esperanza (EH&D), an organization that develops housing and provides education to emerging families in Nicaragua. Rebekka has a Masters degree in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Sociology from Earlham College.

Imari K. Paris Jeffries – Executive Director

Imari Paris Jeffries has a long professional history of national service and nonprofit leadership as well as a strong commitment to the children we serve. Prior to joining Friends of the Children – Boston, Imari served as the Director of Programs and Partnerships for the Massachusetts Service Alliance. During his six year tenure, he managed the investment and distribution of over $8 million annually to Massachusetts-based non-profits. His service experience began in the US Armed Services during the First Gulf War and continued upon his return as a Teacher and Team Leader at Jumpstart. After two years of teaching in an early childhood setting, Imari joined the staff of the BELL Foundation as their AmeriCorps Program Director. Other past volunteer activities include serving as the Chair of the African American Federation of Greater Boston. Additionally, Imari has spent time as a member of the Development Leadership Network, the Boston Pan African Forum, and was selected as a LEAD Boston Fellow in 2003. Imari has BA in Africana Studies and History, an MA in Education, and an MA in American Studies from the University of Massachusetts.

Kita Payne – Program Manager

Kita knows what it's like to have a mentor. "When I was 12, my life was skidding out of control. My older brothers were either gang involved or heavily into drugs. One of them was sentenced to life in prison"” Luckily, Kita was assigned a mentor through a community organization. Kita's mentor helped her get through high school and go on to Lesley University, where she finished her Human Services degree in four years. Kita has worked for four years with adjudicated youth in the DYS system. She came to Friends because she "wanted to work with kids before they ended up in the system…to help stop them from ending up with DYS." Kita grew up in Dorchester.

Vanna Pirrone – Friend

Vanna brings a variety of experience working with young people and making a difference in their lives. Prior to joining Friends-Boston, she worked with young people in a variety of settings including; the Boys and Girls Club of Fitchburg, Head Start Program or Fitchburg, The Department of Social Services, and The Home for Little Wanderers. Vanna is a graduate of Fitchburg State College where she earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Human Services.

Willie VanDoren – Friend

Willie VanDoren has been living in the Boston area for five years. During this time he has worked with young people in a number of different ways to have a positive impact on their lives. During his ministry studies at Harvard Divinity School, he focused on youth ministry and creative writing, and since then he has had many opportunities to work with young people in churches around the area. Willie has done hip-hop and creative writing workshops in both schools and churches, helping children gain confidence of self-expression in written and spoken word. He has also done youth ministry in a number of contexts, and is currently the Youth Minister at North Community Church in Marshfield, MA. Willie graduated from Harvard with a Master of Divinity in 2007.