Mission and Vision

Joel Torres, MA, MCHES, ADAPT Director of Programs, is a graduate of Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a Masters in Public and Organizational Relations at Montclair State University. Joel is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) with over 15 years of experience in community organizing, outreach, advocacy, and grassroots campaigns. He has also worked with municipal health departments and non-profit organizations to bring programs and services to under-served, low-income members of the community. Previously, Joel served as an elected representative on the Hudson County Board of Commissioners, representing parts of Jersey City, and on the Jersey City Board of Education, where he served as President in 2017.

Contact Joel at 862-438-0713 or jtorres@familyconnectionsnj.org

Jessica Delgado, BA, ADAPT Coordinator, is a graduate of Rutgers University-New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish. Jessica has more than 20 years of experience in the mental health and prevention field, including case management, crisis intervention, parent education, and coalition building to improve the health and wellness of children, families, and communities.

As a coordinator for ADAPT, Jessica oversees the youth initiatives including the Essex County Youth Tobacco Action Group and underage drinking initiatives, Prevention Hub, and initiatives to engage faith-based communities in the prevention of substance misuse and abuse. Jessica collaborates with various community sectors, including but not limited to schools, youth-serving organizations, municipal alliances, law enforcement, health departments, and other partners to address underage drinking, underage tobacco/nicotine use, underage marijuana use, and prescription and over-the-counter drug misuse and abuse.

Contact Jessica at 201-463-3433 or jdelgado@familyconnectionsnj.org

Hector Perez, BA, ADAPT Coordinator, is a graduate of Rutgers University-Newark with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.  Hector has more than five years’ experience working in the non-profit sector. Having worked with diverse communities, he is committed to social justice issues and making sure that future generations can live in a more equal society. He continuously strives to contribute to the progress of humanity.

As Coordinator, Hector works specifically on the Prescription Drugs Initiative for Older Adults. He helps to coordinate programs that aim to improve the overall Health and Wellness of senior citizens in Essex County. He participates in community outreach efforts that include working with law enforcement, site coordinators/directors, healthcare sector, and many others.

Contact Hector Perez at 862-233-5756 or hperez@familyconnectionsnj.org

Jenna Marion, BS, ADAPT Coordinator, graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Health. Jenna has experience working in the field with multiple communities and different community needs. Her previous work was with the Bloomfield Health Department as an intern and employee working with their Health Education Division as well as assisting one of their contracting towns by being their Municipal Alliance Coordinator. Jenna has also worked with Passaic County as a Municipal Alliance Coordinator by assisting 16 towns who were being funded by the Governor’s Council of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (GCADA).

As a coordinator for ADAPT, Jenna oversees the LGBTQ+ programming and activities, along with any additional duties needed to support the overall effectiveness of ADAPT. She will facilitate groups during the school day for youth on prevention education strategies to reduce early first use of alcohol, marijuana, and prescription and over the counter medications, as well as bullying behavior. Jenna will assist with planning LGBTQ+ programming and outreach events for LGBTQ+ residents, their families, their peers, youth, etc., throughout Essex County.

Contact Jenna Marion at 201-247-4489 or jmarion@familyconnectionsnj.org

Paquita Mason, MSW, SFOE Program Coordinator, is the Program Coordinator for Strengthening Family Bonds Program, and a Trainer for Trainers for the Active Parenting Curriculum.  A Masters Level Social Worker with more than 20 years’ experience working with the underserved populations in Essex and Passaic County.  A success story of the East Orange School District.  Paquita is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Strengthening Family Bonds is an engaging and effective 6-12-week program for the whole family.  Parents and children alike develop new skills to enrich family communication and deepen family bonding. Studies prove that Strengthening Family Bonds increases healthy family communication and decreases the chances of children experimenting with drugs, alcohol, and other high-risk behaviors

Her motto is, “Everyone is born with a pencil to write their life’s story.  Remember the eraser when you make a mistake and move on.”

Contact Paquita Mason at 201-259-3543 or pmason@familyconnectionsnj.org

Ytzayrys Ojeda, BA, ADAPT Prevention Specialist, graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. Ytzayrys has worked with various populations in the social work field over the last ten years. She has been able to work with youth via school-based youth services programs in Essex County and Passaic County, has provided mental health services to women in treatment for substance use at the Straight and Narrow Agency in Paterson, and recently was working as a Housing Case manager for the HomeSafe program at Family connections.

As a Prevention Specialist, Ytzayrys works on the LGBTQ committee initiatives, participates in outreach to elementary schools within Essex County and facilitates an evidence-based curriculum to students in order reduce early first use of alcohol, marijuana, prescription and over the counter medications.

Contact Ytzayrys Ojeda at (201) 275-3389 at yojeda@familyconnectionsnj.org

Nessie Mae De Chavez, BS, CHES, Youth Prevention Specialist, is a graduate of New Jersey City University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Nessie is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Nessie is trained to deliver PreVenture, an evidence-based prevention program that uses personality targeted interventions to promote mental health and skill development and delay youth substance use for at-risk youth ages 12-17. As a Youth Prevention Specialist for ADAPT, Nessie works on youth initiatives such as the Underage Drinking Committee and the Essex County Youth Tobacco Action Group. Nessie collaborates with various community sectors, including but not limited to schools, youth-serving organizations, municipal alliances, law enforcement, health departments, and other partners to address underage drinking, underage tobacco/nicotine use, underage marijuana use, prescription and over-the-counter drug misuse and abuse.

Contact Nessie at 862-338-5025 or ndechavez@familyconnectionsnj.org

Charlene Berry, BSW, ADAPT Prevention Specialist, graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work. Charlene has experience working in the field with multiple communities and different community needs. Her previous work was with the Children’s Home Society of New Jersey as a social worker and per diem Adoption Specialist in collaboration with DYFS as well. As a Prevention Specialist for ADAPT, Charlene, along with the program coordinator oversees the Prescription Drug programming with older adults, the STOP Act with college students, and Student-Athlete Town Hall programming, along with various other sub-committees within ADAPT that promote and support the overall effectiveness of ADAPT. She facilitates senior groups in various senior buildings throughout Essex County on the prevention of prescription drug abuse and misuse and facilitates presentations catered to high school student-athletes and college students on the dangers of substance abuse, which includes alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, vaping, prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Contact Charlene Berry at 201-463-3244 or cberry@familyconnectionsnj.org

Guinera, Chair of ADAPT’s Interfaith Committee is a former Higher Education professional, with more than 20 years of experience supporting the personal, social, academic, relational, and intellectual development of students, and  influencing, mentoring, and coaching students outside of the classroom. For the last two years, she supported Bethany Center for Champions as the Student Programs and Communications Manager, with the primary responsibility and focus of leading the evangelistic, discipleship, and leadership development of youth, and mentoring of teen girls. Guinera is an ordained Deacon and Chaplain, serves as Women’s Ministry Leader, Woman to Woman Mentor Program Director, and other capacities within Christ Church. She is also actively engaged in serving within the community, Essex County ADAPT and Board Member of New Destiny Family Success Center. She is the recipient of ADAPT’s 2018 Coalition Member of the Year Award and InnerFaith’s 2017 VISION Award. She also is Founder of Enjoying Life Fully, an organization missioned to empower, inspire, equip, and enrich teen girls and women through coaching, mentoring, and life mapping.

Contact Guinera at guineracurry@gmail.com.