Staff

Friends – Boston Team

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.

Abby Ames – Program Director

Abby has a true passion for working with vulnerable and underserved 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.

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."

Chelsea Halbmaier – Caregiver and Activities Coordinator

Chelsea is an AmeriCorps*VISTA who is serving as the Caregiver and Activities Coordinator for Friends. She comes to us after graduating Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. During her four years, she competed on the Varsity Track and Field team and was involved with various community service organizations. She grew up in southern New Hampshire and is currently living in Brookline. Chelsea is excited for her year of service for Friends-Boston.

Allison Narloch – Development and Marketing Associate

Allison Narloch is an AmeriCorps*VISTA who is currently serving as a Development and Marketing Associate 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 an exciting year serving Friends-Boston.

Lucas Orwig – Friend

Lucas spent the past year as an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer at Bird Street Community Center, where he coordinated a Youth Mentoring Program. He has trained with the BEST Initiative's Youth Worker Certification program and seeks to promote Youth Work as a professional field. He has also worked with young people at Exploration Senior Program, at the Met School in Providence, and at Brown University, where he received his B.A. Lucas believes strongly in the power of mentoring relationships, which support young people in uncovering and seeking after opportunities to thrive.

Kita Payne – Senior Friend/Team Leader

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.