Luz Marina Arias , Children’s Activities Coordinator – Bushwick IMPACT

Luz Marina is responsible for development and coordination of children’s activities at IMPACT.  Luz Marina hails from Mexico, where she taught for 8 years as an elementary school teacher. For the past 10 years in Bushwick she has been a family day care provider and has become well known throughout the Bushwick community for her gift with children.  Luz Marina is the mother of two teenage daughters.

Osman Boakye, Community Coordinator for Brownsville/East New York Child Welfare Neighborhood Network (BENYCWNN) and the Community Coalition of East New York (CCENY)

For almost 7 years at ACT, Osman has played an integral role in the development and growth of the Brownsville/East New York Child Welfare Network.  This included building the membership of the network in its first years, along with the creation of programs and events to increase community participation in child welfare.  Osman successfully guided the network during its transition into the Community Coalition of East New York (CCENY), one of 11 coalitions that won an award from ACS. Originally from Ghana, West Africa, Osman previously worked with the New York City-based World Trade Consortium, raising $100,000 to support small scale farming and businesses in East Africa (Uganda and Tanzania). Osman earned his BA from Long Island University’s Connolly College in Political Science and his Masters in Public Administration from New York University.

Frank Cohn, Associate Director – Bushwick IMPACT

In addition to his management role as Associate Director at IMPACT, Frank has integrated the innovative use of technology to improve systems and standardize operations. Frank also provides essential case management oversight to IMPACT’s Parent Advocates.  Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Frank has 10 years of experience with community service and international development programs. His previous work included:  Director of an NGO in Central America; the Founding Director of the Columbia University Partnership for International Development; the United Nations Division of Social Policy and Development; and numerous community based organizations in both urban and rural areas. Frank has worked in 11 countries, and speaks fluent French, Spanish, Mandarin, and intermediate Hindi. Frank holds his MSW from Columbia University, specializing in Social Enterprise Administration and International Social Development.

Brian McGowan, Office Manager

Brian has been handling ACT’s administrative and operational duties for more than five years.  Brian is the primary liaison between ACT, ACS, and the Fund for the City of New York, our fiscal conduit.  He brings over 10 years of administrative experience to the position. Brian is currently pursing a degree in Urban Studies from Queens College.

Genesis Mendoza, Office Assistant – Bushwick IMPACT

Genesis came to IMPACT in the summer of 2006 as one of five DYCD Summer Youth Employment Project Interns. Her hard work and enthusiasm endeared her to all IMPACT staff and she has since continued working at IMPACT in the afternoons and weekends, providing administrative and operational support, and helping engage children and families in various activities. Genesis is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Loren Miller, Project Director – Bushwick IMPACT

Loren joined ACT in May 2004 as the policy and program analyst and then became IMPACT’s Director in 2006.  Loren has nearly twenty years of program experience, working on diverse community development and human rights operations both internationally and in the United States. Her work in New York City includes development of an advocacy program for Women’s Network/Mujeres Unidas in East Harlem, a study of relations between the Haitian community and NYPD in Brooklyn, a community service project with the Bronx Criminal Justice System and a human rights education training-manual with the Center for the Study of Human Rights of Columbia University.  Her international work includes human rights monitoring with the United Nations/Organization of American States International Civilian Mission in Haiti, technical assistance to a women’s cooperative in Senegal and a study of changes in social power and domestic violence among rural women workers in Ecuador.  Loren received a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University and has completed coursework towards her PhD in Anthropology with the University of Pittsburgh.

Silvia Piedad-Cruz, Parent Advocate – Bushwick IMPACT

Silvia became a Parent Advocate in September 2007, after nearly a year of participation in IMPACT’s Family Literacy Activities and Parenting & Child Development Workshop series.  Since then, Silvia has had increasing responsibilities as a staff person at IMPACT.  She now leads weekly Read Alouds for parents, caregivers and their toddlers.  In addition to leading IMPACT’s Artist & Authors and the Books & Cooks programs, Silvia assists in facilitating Parent Support groups, and co-facilitates monthly Parent Workshops.  Silvia has over 10 years of office experience, and in addition to her Parent Advocate duties, provides administrative and operational support to IMPACT. She has completed two years of her BA in Education and Psychology at the City University of New York, is bilingual in Spanish and English, and is the proud mother of two.

Luz Rosario, Parent Advocate – Bushwick IMPACT

Luz became a Parent Advocate in January 2007, after graduating from IMPACT’s Parent Voices Advocacy Training Program.  Luz brings boundless energy and non-stop enthusiasm to her work, helping even the shyest of parents to feel welcome at IMPACT. In November of 2008, Luz took over the “Playing to Learn” activity and co-facilitates parent workshops teaching parents about child development.  Luz is a mother of three children and volunteers in a Pre-Kindergarten class as a Learning Leader at their elementary school, PS 274. Luz has completed two years of college and is now working towards her Child Development Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. Luz is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Deborah Rubien, Director of Community Planning

Deborah was the first public liaison to ACT from its beginning in 1990 until 1993.  Deborah returned to ACT in 2004 and supervised the network liaisons in five communities.  In addition, she provides program development and strategic planning expertise to ACT’s various projects, including the launch of the IMPACT Family Resource Center.  Deborah has over 25 years experience working in public and private sector human services, with an expertise in child welfare, parent education, program development and training.  As the former Assistant Executive Director at Talbot Perkins Children’s Services, Deborah directed its Lower East Side community-based child welfare program, offering a range of services, including foster care, prevention services, substance abuse treatment support and respite services. She served as a policy analyst with the Mayor’s Office for Children and Families and the Citizen’s Committee for Children.  She worked directly with families and staff as a parent educator, trainer and caseworker at child welfare agencies, Head Start and day care centers. Deborah has taught at LaGuardia Community College and teaches peer counseling to adults and children. Deborah earned a Masters of Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work and a Bachelors of Science from Cornell University.

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