Kyle is a sophomore at Fordham University, where he double majors in Urban Studies and American Studies with a concentration in Power, Politics and Institutions and a minor in History. At Fordham, he has consistently made the Dean's List, serves as the Treasurer of the College Democrats, sits on the United Student Government Budget Committee and plays with the Pep Band. Prior to COVID, he also participated in year-round productions with CAST Children's Theatre and obtained the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 27. His Eagle project involved reorganizing CAST's workshop space and constructing a triangular loft. Kyle strives to give back wherever possible and is driven to resolve the injustices he witnesses affecting others, whether that be in his hometown of Manchester or in the Bronx. Kyle has also interned with the Governor's Prevention Partnership and the Institute for Hunger Research and Solutions at Connecticut Foodshare.

Julia is a freshman at Boston Conservatory at Berklee pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance. She graduated from Manchester High School and Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in June 2023. Julia loves to dance and was involved with Northstar Dance Academy for thirteen years, taking classes of all genres and serving as a member of the dance competition team and a teaching assistant.  Additionally, she participated in CAST Children’s Theatre productions for six years. Julia is proud to continue her family's legacy of volunterism and service.

Latasha  serves as the Chief of Family Partnership & Student Engagement for the Manchester Public School System. She has been serving the Manchester community for the past 15+ years. In her role she has worked alongside families, community members and school staff. Implementing programming for youth in the schools, and  building the capacity of adults through a variety of classes and workshops. She has also worked with families that had children under the age of 5 facilitating playgroups, home visits and developmental screenings. Her work focuses on strengthening relationships, building the capacity of parents and staff, and creating opportunities while reducing barriers. Mrs. Turnquest provides oversight of the Manchester Public School’s seven Family Resource Centers, Parent Leadership Trainings, School Governance/Advisory Councils, Community Partnerships, Student Engagement Specialists, and the Welcome Center, where centralized registration for grades K-8 occurs. Mrs. Turnquest obtained her Masters in Education Degree at the University of Hartford.

Janzé Richardson is a senior at Manchester High School, where she is engaged in a variety of clubs and organizations, including the FA Verplanck Chapter of the National Honor Society, Link Crew, Chamber Orchestra and Modern Band. This year she will also be Captain of the Drill Team. She plans to attend George Washington University in the fall. Outside of school, she is the chair of the Manchester Youth Commission and an after-school counselor at MELC. She eloquently highlights her role in the local  community, saying, "I try to put forth my best effort in everything I do, and speak up and out about what I see so I can be a voice for those that don't have one,"

Patrick is the President and CEO of family owned and operated Greene Moving and Storage, a Manchester, CT based full-service local and long-distance moving company that serves commercial and residential clients. Patrick took over the company following the untimely passing of his father Michael in 2015 and has contributed immensely to the company's growth, which recently acquired South Windsor based Admiral Moving and Storage. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management from Assumption University and resides in Bolton, CT with his wife Jenna and two kids. Additionally, he still retains close ties to the Manchester, CT community, as an active member of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and also served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2014-2016. Patrick has graciously donated his company's in-kind services and over 1,000 sq. ft. of space in their showroom to accommodate several pallets of baby goods for distribution to our community partners.

Jessee  has been a part of the Manchester community for over 25 years.  She and her husband, Ed Poland, raised their two children, Alicia and Eddie, here and they both graduated from Manchester Public Schools. Jessee holds a degree from Springfield College and has dedicated her life to working with and advocating for children, youth, seniors, and people in recovery. She is passionate about her work as a member of Manchester’s Repurposed Schools Committee, the Manchester Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Bennett Housing Corporation. 

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In her work, she has consistently advocated for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity, and for the community to have a voice in their town government. She knows that municipal government functions most effectively when community members are empowered to participate.  Jessee is proud to have served on the Human Relations Commission in early 2000, to have been elected as the Vice-Chair of the Waddell PTA, and to have developed the After School Enrichment Program and secured this program a continued grant. Jessee has deep roots in the Manchester community and has worked with grassroots community organizations in town to ensure people have access to food, housing and other necessities. Most recently she has been an integral part of ensuring vaccine access to the Manchester community through her work with the Town of Manchester and the Bangladesh Bhaban Community Center.

Bio Coming Soon.

Carlita is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Practice Owner of Elias Psychological Services. Her professional specialties include infant and early childhood mental health and development, maternal mental health, intergenerational trauma, and attachment/relationship based therapies. She holds a national endorsement as a Level III Infant Mental Health Specialist and Reflective Supervisor.

Dr. Elias has dedicated her career to incorporating social justice concerns in clinical practice and meeting the mental health needs of underserved and marginalized populations. Before starting her practice, she worked at several Hartford area non-profit agencies as a clinician and program director. She has a wealth of experience working on interdisciplinary teams and implementing evidence based, culturally sensitive clinical practices. She is a graduate of the University of Hartford Graduate Institute for Professional Psychology. She is also a full-time Clinical/Applied Assistant Professor of Psychology (GIPP) at the University of Hartford. She also serves her community as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the CT-Association for Infant Mental Health (CT- AIMH), on the Advisory Board at the Center for Trauma Recovery and Juvenile Justice and on the Advisory Council at the Center for the Treatment of Developmental Trauma Disorders at UConn Health. Dr. Elias has lived in Manchester CT since 2002 where she and her husband have raised three adolescent children.

John is an experienced pediatrician with the team at Manchester Pediatrics Associates in South Windsor, Connecticut. Dr. Walker has been in practice for more than 26 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the Xavier University of Louisiana and graduated with his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine. He then traveled to California and completed his pediatric internship at the Naval Hospital in San Diego and his pediatric residency at the Naval Hospital in Oakland. 

After his training, he became a staff pediatrician at the Naval Hospital in Twentynine Palms, California, and then moved to the Naval Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. Prior to working with the team at Manchester Pediatrics Associates, Dr. Walker worked at Kids Station Pediatrics in Manchester, Connecticut. Dr. Walker has been recognized for excellence in his field and was awarded the Compassionate Doctor Recognition & On-Time awards. Dr. Walker is affiliated with Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

Brittney Cavaliere is the Senior Director of Strategy for Connecticut Foodshare, a statewide organization with an annual operating budget of roughly $100 million dedicated to delivering an informed and equitable response to hunger by mobilizing community partners, volunteers, and supporters. In her role, Brittney ensures that the organization works to fulfill the goals outlined in the strategic plan adopted by the Board of Directors in 2022 which calls for increased investment in the 650+ partner programs across CT, by working in collaboration with the agency relations team, evaluating impact and continuing to position the organization as an incubator of ideas and hub for hunger related research. Brittney’s experiences working with people with HIV in the beginning of her career fuels her passion for a more equitable America where everyone can thrive. She received a Master of Public Health from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Fordham University. In her free time, you can find Brittney volunteering in her hometown of East Hartford, CT with the East Hartford Education and Alumni Association, on a hike with her puppy Scout, or at a new bookstore finding her next read.

Bio Coming Soon

Sylvia is a freshman at Johnson and Wales University pursuing a bachelor's degree in baking and culinary arts. She is a recent graduate of Manchester High School, where she served as the chair of the Social Interactions and Community Outreach committee of the Student Equity Advisory Team and was an active member of the FA Verplanck Chapter of the National Honor Society. Outside of MHS, she was a commissioner on the Manchester Youth Commission, which gives youth a voice in municipal government. Sylvia is happy and eager to further the organization's endeavors.