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
Lorry Ripley - Bookkeeper
Email - bookkeeping@theelizabethcoalition.org
Office - (908) 355-2060 ext. 204
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Artresia Fryar, Field Education Coordinator
Email – afryar@theelizabethcoalition.org (preferred method of contact)
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Artresia’s main responsibilities is to act as a liaison to the Schools of Social Work Education Departments, staff and faculty. Artresia will provide supervision to social work students and work with task supervisors to cultivate a positive outcome for both agency staff and students. Additionally, Artresia is responsible for staff training and development.
Artresia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She is an adjunct professor, field liaison and a private practice therapist. Artresia is the author of two books, one children’s book on effective coparenting and a Self Care workbook for women. She has worked in Partial Day Programs, daycares, public and alternative schools, Special Treatment Unit and residential homes.
Artresia is the founder of an Intensive In Community agency that serves Middlesex, Union and Somerset county.
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Paulina Jozefowicz-Olak, Administrative Assitant
Email - polak@theelizabethcoalition.org
Office - (908) 355-2060 ext. 202
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Development and Fundraising
Renaee Smith, Director of Development
Email – rsmith@theelizabethcoalition.org
Office - (908) 355-2060 ext. 207
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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.
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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
Catherine Morales, Senior Case Manager
Email - cmorales@theelizabethcoalition.org
Phone - (908) 355 - 2060 ext. 301
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Ana Hernandez, Case Manager
Email – ahernandez@theelizabethcoalition.org
Phone – (908) 355-2060 ext. 303
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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
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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”.
Rosemary Guerrero, Case Manager
Email – rguerrero@theelizabethcoalition.org
Phone – (908) 355-2060 ext. 303
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Annet Baldwin, Case Manager
Email – abaldwin@theelizabethcoalition.org
Phone – (908) 355-2060 ext. 304
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Quadeesha Harper, Outreach Coordinator
Email - qharper@theelizabethcoalition.org
Phone - (908) 355 - 2060 ext. 302
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Hospitality House
Magali Roldan, Housing Coordinator
Email – mroldan@theelizabethcoalition.org
Phone – (908) 355-2060 ext. 206
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As Housing Coordinator Magali 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, Magali can be found in the office for any housing information or referrals needed.
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Kevin Aguilar, Maintenance Coordinator
Email – info@theelizabethcoalition.org
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Volunteer Coordinator
Rhonda Johnson
Email - rhonda@theelizabethcoalition.org
Phone - (908) 355 - 2060 ext. 202
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