Marianne Gribbon is an educational professional with over 15 years as a leader in the non–profit sector.  Marianne obtained her Bachelors from Marist College in Psychology/Special Education and her Masters in Educational Psychology.  She began her teaching career in NYC Department of Education as a 5th grade general education teacher.  After a brief stint teaching English in Pisa, Italy, Marianne returned to NY and commenced her 15 year career at Easter Seals NY., Inc.  Significant accomplishments during her tenure at Easter Seals NY include but not limited to:

• Expanding program operations
• Agency-wide implementation of curriculum and data collection systems
• Diversification of funding and programming to meet community needs
• Creation of ongoing training program for teachers, teacher assistants, and principals
• Establishing a Social Justice Committee for the agency

In October 2022, Marianne began her employment at The Children’s Home of Kingston as the Chief Executive Officer. Marianne’s vision is to create an innovative and premiere educational and residential facility.  In order to achieve the vision, her goals are as follows:

Year 1 (Oct. 22- August 23)

1. Create stability by reducing turnover and improving overall morale/culture
2. Improve compliance
3. Develop new community partners
4. Improve social media presence

Year 2 (Sept. 23- Aug 24)

1. Implement and practice updated procedures
2. Develop new infrastructure that supports growth and new business opportunities
3. Explore new opportunities to expand business
4. Conduct research with higher educational institution

Year 3 ( Sept 24-Aug 25)

1. Advocate for pay parity and retirement plans for 853s
2. Re-evaluate strategic direction and course correct if necessary
3. If new lines of business are created, as stated above, then this year will focus on business expansion and stabilization during growth. The agency’s infrastructure will need to grow as well; this is where stabilization will need to occur.
4. Publish research

Bob Myers began his employment at The Children’s Home of Kingston in October 2022 as the Residential Director. In February 2022, Bob was promoted to Chief Operations Officer. He was previously employed  at The Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie as the Overnight Manager.

“My biggest accomplishment here has been building relationships with staff, and creating confidence between administration and staff. My hopes and dreams for CHK is to have a safe campus and allow the young men we serve to feel safe and secure a future that is bright and positive. I enjoy working here because working with the youth and this group of employees is a fun group that allows for positive energy and fosters a strong sense of accomplishment.”

My motto is “Be safe and stay strong!’”

Mackenzie Anson has been with The Children’s Home of Kingston since the summer of 2019. Mackenzie was recently promoted to Chief Program Officer. Her role is to ensure effective and clinically based programming is effective in all departments. Mackenzie ensures the Agency’s therapeutic treatment model of Trauma Systems Therapy is implemented and that the treatment our agency provides to our clients is clinically driven and trauma informed. 

Mackenzie received her Bachelor of Psychology in 2008 from Marist College and went on to obtain her Masters in Social Work from Adelphi University in 2012. Mackenzie holds a professional license as a Clinical Social Worker in NY State. She has spent much of her professional career working in the mental health field, focusing on childhood and adolescent mental health and trauma. Previously, Mackenzie worked in a school based mental health clinic, Office of Mental Health Article 31 sites where she was the Associate Director of a behavioral health practice that had over 1,000 patients.

Mackenzie’s accomplishment since being a part of the wonderful team at The Children’s Home of Kingston, has been implementing a trauma informed treatment model so that the agency can be more effective and responsive to the young men we serve. Mackenzie’s hope for CHK is to continue to grow the agency’s therapeutic program and assist the young men in receiving the best chances for a positive outcome. Mackenzie enjoys her work with agency and appreciates the opportunity it affords her to assist the young men in working through their past traumas and helping them identify there is a chance for a positive outcome. Mackenzie’s dream is for the young men to identify their worth within and to never stop reaching for their goals.

Her motto is “It’s okay not to be okay, just don’t unpack and live there. Cry it out and then refocus on where you are headed”.

My name is Jarri Machelle Melton.   I am a lifelong learner and  would describe myself as a professional with a diverse skill set.  My journey into finance began as a Senior Operations Specialist in the banking industry.  Over the years I’ve held various finance department positions across several industries.  Some of those positions and/or duties include AP, AR, Billing, Budgeting, 401K administration, Human Resource management and Assistant Controller. My educational background is in business, finance, and public administration.  This includes an Associate of Science, a Bachelor of Science and in the Summer of 2024 a Master’s in Public Administration all from The Empire State University.  

I started with The Children’s Home of Kingston in 2019 as an AP Accountant.  In that role, I was able to collaborated with the Chief Financial Officer in the areas of full cycle accounting, GL account analysis, bank statement reconciliation, contract and lease maintenance, month end closing and annual audit assistance among other assigned duties.  In July 2023, I was promoted to the position of Controller.  I’m excited about the opportunity to utilize my education and experience to move the finance department forward in such a way that benefits the entire agency.  In my role of Controller, a few of my goals are to stabilize the finance department in on time financial reporting such as the 5500, CFR’s and SSOP’s.  In addition, I’m looking forward to implementing more departmental cross-training, improve our operations to include efficient data reporting and information retrieval, and to incorporate team building activities among the finance team.     

One of my biggest accomplishments here has been my ability to collaborate with fellow team members, vendors, school districts, counties, and customers to ensure the services The Children’s Home provide are maintained so that we can provide the young men that we serve a well-rounded environment in which they can thrive and successfully return to their home environment.

My motto is “The magnitude of one’s performance begins with the magnitude of one’s preparation.”  This is my go-to because I am a planner/thinker who is detail oriented, organized, available, flexible and a great communicator both verbally and written.   I have been preparing my whole life for such a time as this.  However, there is no “I” in team so let us do this together! 

Sharley McIver began her employment at The Children’s Home of Kingston as a residential Clinician in December of 2023. In January April of 2023, she was promoted to Lead Clinician and in November of 2023, she was promoted to Clinical Director. Prior to her work with CHK, she worked as a Preventive Case Planner with Abbot House in Poughkeepsie NY, and as a Trauma clinician with Astor Services for Children and Families in Wingdale, NY.

As Clinical Director, Sharley’s primary responsibility is to provide oversight for the clinical and medical departments of the organization. The Clinical Department drives and informs the organizational treatment model, Trauma Systems Therapy, and the organization’s administration in the development and implementation of youth care and treatment for the youth,overseeing all support services of the program, which include: Clinical and Case Management, Educational, Medical, and Residential services. She also works to establish an environment that is respectful and supportive of the youth, staff, and external stakeholders while maintaining and evaluating data to determine and improve program outcomes.

Catherine Cruz began her employment at The Children’s Home of Kingstonas Assistant Program Director with the New Horizon Program in June 2020.In January 2023, she was promoted to Program Director. Prior to her work with CHK, she worked as a counselor/therapist with children and adolescents at another non-profit organization, located in Brooklyn NY.

As Program Director, Catherine’s primary responsibility is to oversee the day to day operations and programming of the twenty-four-bed New Horizons Program. Among the many responsibilities as Program Director, other areas to highlight are supporting the organization’s administration in the development and implementation of youth care and treatment for the youth,overseeing all support services of the program, which include: Clinical and Case Management, Educational, Medical, and Residential services. She also works to establish an environment that is respectful and supportive of the youth, staff, and external stakeholders while maintaining and evaluating data to determine and improve program outcomes.

To date, one of Catherine’s greatest accomplishments in the New Horizon Program has been, starting from the case management department and now for the rest of the departments, the restructuring of a more solid program in all its aspects and areas where the priority and vision will always be the well-being of the children in care and their families. Throughout her professional career and her life, being able to care for and help others has always been part of Catherine’s essence and one of her greatest gifts. This is one of her main reasons for being part of this agency.

One of her favorite quotes is, “When you touch a human soul, be just another human soul.”

Pamela Baldelli began her employment at CHK in October 2022. She was previously employed at Arlington Central School district where she retired after a 30 year career as School Counselor. 

Pam’s current position is School Principal at the Grove Street Academy where her primary responsibility is to oversee all daily educational activities and operations within the school. Some of additional duties include advising students, evaluating teachers and ensuring adherence to NYS curriculum, establishing an equitable Code of Conduct, and ensuring the school environment is safe for all students and staff members.

To date, Pam’s biggest accomplishment at the Grove Street Academy has been establishing a trusting relationship with students and families. This has allowed her to successfully work with students and families to foster academic success and to promote the emotional development and health of each student.

Pam’s hope for Grove Street Academy is that every student  graduates, attends college, enters the workforce prepared, or attends a trade school; making their contribution to society. 

“My dream is that our students can turn their challenges into something wonderful in their futures. I enjoy watching our students grow academically, emotionally and socially. I am here because I believe my leadership abilities and past experience can make a difference in the lives of our students.”

My motto is ‘Empowering learning, inspiring success.’”

La’Shana Cummings began her employment with The Children’s Home of Kingston in February 2023 as the Residential Supervisor. La’Shana’s previous experience at the Office of Children and Family Services and The Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie have garnered the respect of her fellow leaders. Her practical knowledge base coupled with a strong regulatory foundation are  vital to the success of our clients. 

La’Shana’s biggest accomplishment here so far has been helping some of these young  men recognize their self worth and value. This role is an opportunity to create positive change in the lives of our young men. Her aspirations are to create a safe, loving, and learning culture.

“I joined the  team because I am passionate about our young men and what real child care work stands for. “

My way of life/motto is, ‘We Rise by Lifting Others!’

James Daniels (“Daniels”) has worked at The Children’s Home of Kingston for seven years. Mr. Daniels was previously employed at First Source as a supervisor. Mr. Daniels was recently promoted to Lead Campus Supervisor in which he provides exceptional support to employees, students, and maintaining campus safety. His biggest accomplishment since he began his employment has been building strong and impactful relationships with the young men in our care while balancing the needs of my family after my father passed away.
“My hopes and dreams for CHK is for me to provide exceptional leadership to the employees that work at CHK. I enjoy providing guidance and support to the young men when they need it most. Working at CHK gives me the opportunity to help change and bring enjoyment to the young men. I love the family feel of the company, and for the most part it’s a very team oriented place and I’m all about team.”

My motto is, ‘Leaders don’t sit around and wait for something to get done, they just do it.’

Jenn Chasin is the Human Resources Manager at The Children’s Home of Kingston since June 2020.  Jenn previously worked at Precision Pipeline Solutions for about four years as a Human Resources Generalist and before that she was a Staffing Specialist, a Recruiter, and a Recruiting Assistant.  As the HR Manager at CHK her primary responsibility is to make sure our employees are taken care of and that the agency follows the laws and regulations regarding employment.  Jenn strives to provide a place for staff to feel comfortable discussing their needs. Throughout Jenn’s tenure at CHK, she has worked hard to convey this message to all staff.  

“We cannot make miracles happen in HR but we can collect the data and suggest ideas to managers, supervisors, and the CEO to implement new policies or new procedures as needed.   Keeping the team operating at best possible capacity is always a main priority. My hope for being part of the team here at CHK is to make all our staff feel happy, secure, and know that they are an instrumental part of the success of the young men that are on this campus as well as the agency itself.  The best part of working at CHK is being involved in the lives of these young men who come here with traumatic experiences and showing them positive experiences, and knowing that we made an impact on their lives and future.”

My motto is, “Dark clouds may hang on me sometimes, but I’ll work it out.”-Dave Matthews or “No one is you and that is your power”-Dave Grohl!