STAFF

The Elizabeth Coalition is a leader in serving the homeless in greater Union County, NJ. Since 1981, we have been advocating for the rights of homeless individuals and families to have access to safe, affordable housing. Our staff, volunteers, and interns are dedicated to helping people solve the root causes of homelessness and to making them healthy, productive, self-sufficient citizens in our communities.

Office Hours:

Monday, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Tuesday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Closed Wednesday

Linda Flores-Tober, Executive Director

Email – linda@theelizabethcoalition.org

Phone – (908) 355-2060 ext. 201

As a longtime resident of Elizabeth, Linda’s local knowledge has been invaluable in her 29 years at the Coalition. As a graduate from the College of Saint Elizabeth, she has also been the Agency Coordinator for First Friends Visitation Ministry and Administrator at the Bridgeton Nursing Center.

She was honored as Humanitarian of the Year in 2008 by the College of Saint Elizabeth and awarded for Outstanding Women’s Leadership by the NJ United Nations Association in 2004. Linda was also awarded the Hannah Caldwell Award for achievements in Social Services by The Snyder Academy of Elizabethtown & The Old First Historic Trust in 2017.

Linda has been co-chair and now chair of the Union County Comprehensive Emergency Assistance Systems and Continuum of Care (CEAS/CoC) Committee since 2012. She is part of the Union County Homeless Trust Committee, the Human Service Advisory Council and the Union County Freeholders task force on foreclosures. The Coalition was recognized in 2013 with the Union County Unity Award and in 2010, Linda was awarded Bank of America’s Local Heroes honor for her work with the homeless in Union County.

Administration

Jatasha Sharif, MSW, Clinical Social Worker and Advocacy Administrator

Email – jsharif@theelizabethcoalition.org

Phone – (908) 355-2060 ext. 304

Jatasha Sharif is the Program Coordinator of this collaborative project between the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless (ECHH), Jewish Family Services, and Disability Rights of NJ. She began her career with ECHH in 2014 after graduating from Rutgers University with a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work. Jatasha also holds a degree in Women and Gender studies from Douglass Residential College at Rutgers and a degree in Early Childhood Education.

At ECHH, Jatasha began as an intern for the Hospitality House program – a transitional housing program for which she later became Program Coordinator. Her dedication to helping the homeless and near-homeless achieve self-sufficiency - as well as her exemplary interpersonal skills - propelled her into the role of Office Manager and Advocacy Administrator. In this role, she currently oversees various programs, and she supervises advocacy staff and interns.

Jatasha, a Newark NJ native, is a freelance artist, writer, author and serves as Vice President on the board of Women of Wellness of NJ – a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing STEM education and mentorships to underserved populations

Meghan Hyer, LCSW, Field Education Coordinator

Email – mhyer@theelizabethcoalition.org (preferred method of contact)

Google Phone – (732) 844-6121

Meghan provides support and supervision to our Masters of Social Work students who are interning at the Coalition from Universities all over the region. She works closely to maintain positive relationships with these schools and ensure the students are receiving a wonderful learning experience with our agency.

Development and Fundraising

Renaee Smith, Director of Development

Email – rsmith@theelizabethcoalition.org

Renaee's primary focus as the Director of Development is to build relationships with individuals and organizations to secure philanthropic support. She also develops and implements plans to raise vital funds for the organization in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner.

Renaee is an international award-winning author who has published 10 books. Her Freddie Series written for children ages 6-12 teaches children about the environment, perseverance, entrepreneurship and more. She uses her roots and her empathy to drive her writing for children, as well as for her award-winning cookbooks. Her goal being to entertain, inform and inspire others to make a change within themselves, or the environment.

When not writing, she’s reading, crocheting or spending time with her family. She is the founder/CEO of the nonprofit Independent Authors Book Experience where they work with independent authors and help to promote and empower them, thereby promoting literacy for all ages and the publishing company Independent Authors Publications.

Bernice’s Place

Carina Grajales, Bernice’s Place Children’s Program Coordinator
Email – cgrajales@theelizabethcoalition.org
Office – (908) 355-2060 ext. 203
Google Phone – (908) 845-5144

Bernice’s Place provides academic support, provides students with the opportunity to engage in new activities, promote positive youth development through activities, programs and develop social skills. Carina is a creative educator who motivates children to learn. She is always cheerful, creative, is an animal lover, and likes walks on the beach.

Project Gatekeeper

Ana Hernandez, Case Manager
Email – ahernandez@theelizabethcoalition.org
Phone – (908) 355-2060 ext. 303

Ana Hernandez is a case manager and has been working with the homeless population since 2001. She started working at Elizabeth Coalition in 2002. She worked for The Salvation Army shelter for 11 years with single adults and also worked for The YMCA, Elizabeth, NJ. She has been a Pastor at The Elizabeth Christian Worship Center for 16 years serving and ministering the most needed population.

Iris Rodriguez, Government Grant Administrator

Email – irodriguez@theelizabethcoalition.org

Phone – (908) 355-2060 ext. 204

Iris coordinates grant reimbursement for the agency with the city, state and Federal Agency. She reviews all documents for payment and services that have been provided to our clients. She has been with the Elizabeth Coalition for six years. Iris states, “I love our mission because we help so many people in any area that we can and it fills my heart with joy every day”.

Rachael Tornyenu, Case Manager

Email – rtornyenu@theelizabethcoalition.org
Phone – (908) 355-2060 ext. 301

Rachael is a case manager at the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless. She works at the front desk aiding in rental assistance and advocacy. Rachael prides herself on visiting 12 states in the United States so far and has plans to see all 50.

Operation Warm Heart

Rosemary Guerrero, Operation Warm Heart Coordinator
Email – rguerrero@theelizabethcoalition.org
Phone – (908) 355-2060

Skiyetta was honorably discharged from the military after serving for 5 1/2 years. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Criminology with a minor in Sociology from William Paterson University. She has interned and work with Fly Womens Network assisting women defeat recidivism from the Edna Mahan Womens facility along with assisting the CEO with interns and planning and organizing meetings with the city.

Skiyetta provided classes for the reentry program in Paterson. She is currently at Seton Hall University where she is completing her second year in social work. She is currently the President of the graduates social work student association. Skiyetta is the proud mother of an eight year old daughter.

Hospitality House

Jocelyn Coral, Housing Coordinator

Email – info@theelizabethcoalition.org

Phone – (908) 355-2060 ext. 201

As Housing Coordinator Elisha works as a team member in collaboration on shared grants with The YMCA, and The City of Elizabeth. If she is not out conducting apartment inspections, Elisha can be found in the office for any housing information or referrals needed.

Robert Schilare, Volunteer