Our Staff

Public Relations Specialist

Dariel Miller
(818) 686-7335, dariel@mendpoverty.org

Works directly with the MEND CEO and the MEND Public Relations Committee managing and coordinating the agency’s public relations.

Interim Information and Referral Specialist

Gabriel Ramos
Front Desk:  (818)  897-2443
Direct Line: (818) 686-7324,  gabriel@mendpoverty.org

Greets MEND recipients upon arrival; helps with screening recipients for service; provides information and referrals; makes appointments for medical, dental, and other services; coordinates bus token service for recipients. Answers telephones. Trains volunteers in front desk tasks.

Intake Coordinator

Wilson Herrera
(818) 686-7301, wilson@mendpoverty.org

Oversees the coordination of the registration process for the Emergency Food and Clothing Distribution program at the MEND Center and satellite Our Lady of Peace in North Hills; and oversees the Kinder Care and Home Visitation programs.

Volunteer Services Director

Lupe Martin
(818) 686-7327, lupe@mendpoverty.org

Coordinates group volunteer projects, provides tours for new volunteers and helps place volunteers in appropriate departments. Works with MEND’s Volunteer Development Committee in recruitment and recognition projects.

Foodbank Director

Richard Weinroth
(818) 686-7334, richard@mendpoverty.org

Oversees MEND’s Emergency Food Distribution Program at the MEND Center and satellites. Arranges with volunteer drivers for daily pick-ups of large donations of food. Coordinates Foodbank Outreach Programs, distributing surplus food to qualifying charities and pantries. Solicits food donations from growers, distributors and markets. Organizes the Community Food Drive Program. Coordinates MEND’s Food Service Training Program.

Foodbank Assistant Director

Luke Ippoliti
(818) 686-7302, luke@mendpoverty.org

Foodbank Packing Manager

Jesus De Santiago
(818) 686-7348, jesus@mendpoverty.org

Home Garden Training Coordinator

Laura Robledo
(818) 686-7365, laura@mendpoverty.org

Emergency Foodbank Driver

Tremain Baker

In conjunction with Food Rescue Program volunteer drivers, picks up incoming Foodbank donations. Oversees vehicle fleet preparation and maintenance

Clothing Center Manager

Veronica Soto
(818) 686-7328, veronica@mendpoverty.org

Oversees MEND’s Clothing Distribution Program at the MEND Center. Arranges with volunteer drivers for pick-ups of large donations of clean, usable clothing. Solicits donations of new clothing from retailers, manufacturers, studios, etc. Coordinates annual New Shoes for School distribution, and New Infant Car Seat Distribution.

Clothing Assistant Manager

Christian Serrano
(818) 686-7338, christian@mendpoverty.org

Manages volunteer operations and oversees maintenance of the Clothing Center and Sorting Room procedures to ensure a smooth work flow and aesthetically pleasing environment.

Medical Clinic Manager

Victor Estrada
(818) 686-7333, victor@mendpoverty.org

Coordinates medical professionals who volunteer to provide basic care to low-income, uninsured patients. Oversees family practice clinics, as well as specialty clinics for diabetes, hypertension, healthy aging, women’s health, chiropractic, acupuncture and eye care. Recruits and orients volunteers; purchases equipment and supplies for clinic; maintains safety and cleanliness standards required by OSHA and the Health Department.

Medical Clinic Assistant Manager

Andrea Banuelos
(818) 686-7357, andrea@mendpoverty.org

Responsible for aiding in the overall smooth running of the medical clinic. Additional responsibilities include:  Case Management, overseeing the Health Education Program and the Patient Assistance Program

Optometrist:

Mark Sherstinsky, OD, MPH, FAAO
mark@mendpoverty.org

Dental Clinic Manager

Denise Sanchez
(818) 686-7337, denise@mendpoverty.org

Coordinates dental professionals who volunteer to provide basic care to low-income, uninsured patients. Recruits and orients volunteers; purchases equipment and supplies for clinic; maintains safety and cleanliness standards required by OSHA and the Health Department. Trains MEND clients who are interested in dental assisting.

Dental Assistant

Yesenia Danesta
(818) 686-7337, yesenia@mendpoverty.org

Dentist:

Sandhya Palhan, DDS

Education & Training Director

Lilia Soller
(818) 686-7331, lilia@mendpoverty.org

Oversees ESL and Spanish classes, job preparations classes, office skills classes, and other educational programs. Recruits and trains volunteer instructors, as well as recruits and enrolls students.

Education & Training Assistant Director

Angie Gonzales
(818) 686-7336, angelica@mendpoverty.org

Youth Services Coordinator

Andrea Lopez
(818) 686-7319, andrealopez@mendpoverty.org

Oversees operations and procedures of One-on-one Tutoring, After School Homework Help, and Saturday Academy. Coordinates tutoring volunteers and students in the youth programs.

Instructional Coordinator, Computer Lab

Dinora Cubias
(818) 686-7332, dinora@mendpoverty.org

Coordinates and supervises volunteer teachers who provide keyboarding, introduction to computers, and advanced computer skills courses to low-income adults. She also coordinates volunteer technicians to refurbish and resell donated computers to students at an affordable, low price.

Development Manager

Tarry Kang
(818) 686-7320, tarry@mendpoverty.org

Development Manager is responsible for managing MEND’s donor database. Works with the MEND Board and various MEND fundraising committees on their income generation activities, and spearheads direct mail projects and donor membership programs.

Controller

Scott Mikels
(818) 686-7353, scott@mendpoverty.org

Oversees MEND’s finances, including performing day to day accounting activities, preparing monthly and yearly reports, processing payroll, and compiling private grant reports. Assists with budgeting and auditing. Provides staff support to MEND’s Management, Budget, and Planning Committee.

Director of Programs and Services

Maggie Torres
(818) 686-7350, maggie@mendpoverty.org

The Program Director is responsible for supervising staff and coordinating the activities of staff and volunteer program coordinators as well as oversight of volunteer run programs such as the Christmas Program and Employment Support.

Associate Program Director

Maria Jimenez
(818) 686-7325, maria@mendpoverty.org

The Associate Program Director oversees Core Services programs and provides direct supervision to staff including Client Intake, Information and Referral and Clothing Distribution;  and assists in the coordination of staff activities and special events.

Chief Operating Officer

Jenny Gutierrez
(818) 686-7322, jenny@mendpoverty.org

The COO will oversee the internal operations of the agency and will provide strategic leadership as well as regular oversight to Programs, Finance, Human Resources, Facilities, and General Administration.

Maintenance

Kenneth Doyle
(818) 686-7349, kenny@mendpoverty.org

Executive Assistant

Charlette Brown (818) 686-7360, charlette@mendpoverty.org

Works directly with the CEO to provide executive administrative support to the CEO and MEND Board of Directors. Works directly with the Development Manager to oversee and train volunteers.

President and CEO

Marianne Haver Hill
(818) 686-7321, marianne@mendpoverty.org

Provides overall coordination to MEND personnel volunteer and staff, programs, and facilities. Provides staff support to MEND’s Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Fund Raising Committee, Public Relations Committee, and ad hoc committees. Represents MEND in community organizations and at community events.