JOURNEY HOME STAFF
We invite you to read below and learn more about each of our staff members. Staff are listed in alphabetical order by last name. For any inquiries please reach out to us at info@journeyhomect.org
PHEBE CHAN
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
Phebe graduated from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California, with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She is now pursuing her Master’s in Psychology through Los Angeles Pacific University’s online program. While living in Los Angeles, Phebe helped her church organize efforts to collect school supplies, toys, and hygiene products, as well as coordinated schedules to cook meals at a local non-profit that provides temporary housing for homeless families. She is excited to join the Journey Home team to help its mission to end homelessness in Connecticut.
Phebe grew up in West Hartford. After moving to Los Angeles in 2005, she returned to Connecticut in 2022, settling in Glastonbury with her husband, two young boys, and three rescue dogs. She enjoys hiking, camping, off-roading, skiing, watching her boys play soccer, and serving in her church’s youth ministry.
STEVE COLON
LANDLORD ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Steve is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in real estate and property management, as well as facilities and operations. He has a strong background in building trades and building code compliance, holding a Connecticut contractor’s license. Steve is also a licensed real estate agent with a CIREC certification from the Greater Hartford Association of Realtors. Bilingual in Spanish and English, he excels in working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and board members.
Steve is deeply committed to community service, having dedicated over a decade to non-profit community organizing and volunteering. In his personal time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and five children, working on cars, and appreciating nature.
KENIA FELIZ
HOUSING ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
With over 10 years of experience in property management, Kenia brings a unique blend of skills and expertise to our cause. Hailing from Hartford, Connecticut, Kenia is passionate about making a difference in her community and is committed to fighting homelessness. In her spare time, she enjoys nature, music, and spending time with her pets and husband. Join us in welcoming Kenia to our team as we work together to end homelessness and create a brighter future for all.
THOMAS FISCHER
WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Thomas grew up in Fairfield County with most of his time spent in Easton. He has a background in heating and air conditioning repair as well as auto parts sales. He has also dabbled in building cars, stock car racing, and building computers. If it’s broken, Thomas can fix it! Thomas is thrilled to be part of the Journey Home team as our Warehouse Operations Specialist. His desire to have more than just a job, but to be part of a mission-driven agency led him here. He is excited to not only help those we serve but also help our A Hand Up program be the best that it can possibly be. If you volunteer with us or spend any time in our warehouse, you will certainly meet Thomas and you’ll immediately know why he is an essential member of our A Hand Up program.
GERILYN HARRISON
COORDINATED ENTRY MANAGER
Geri has worked in the homeless field for 8 years in the Greater Hartford region. Before transitioning to Journey Home, she was the Program Coordinator for The Salvation Army Marshall House, in Hartford CT. Geri enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and playing tennis. Geri can often be found spending time with her family in Southwest Florida.
MICHELLE LIPAR
VOLUNTEER & CLIENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
NADINE MALONE
CAN MANAGER
Nadine Malone originally joined the Journey Home team as a social work intern from Central Connecticut State University and she moved into her role as the Housing Authority Preference Coordinator in May, 2019. Nadine has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in social work. She received her associate’s degree and certificate in Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counseling in 2015. In her spare time, she enjoys quality time with her family, cats and puppy.
MATTHEW MORGAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Matt has almost 20 years of nonprofit experience bringing a tremendous breadth and depth of experience to the leadership of Journey Home—in affordable housing, community organizing, international community development—as well as a strong vision and deep commitment to ending homelessness and creating opportunities for those most vulnerable in our community.
Matt has served as Journey Home’s Executive Director since 2011, and has grown the organization from a staff of 2 to a staff of 16, leading the Capitol Region to reduce chronic homelessness by 90% and overall homelessness by 60%. Matt has led Journey Home to receive several awards, including the Diane Randall Leadership Award, the Bank of America Neighborhood Builder Award, the Carol E. Walter Think, Be, Lead Change Award, and he has been recognized by the MetroHartford Alliance for the Hartford Unsung Heroes Award for his service during the Covid-19 pandemic, and by the Hartford Business Journey for the Top 40 Under 40 Award.
Matt is a member of the religious order of Deaconnesses and Home Missioners of the United Methodist Church. Matt also serves on the boards of directors of the Betty Knox Foundation, based in Hartford, CT, the Cargill Falls Community Development organization, based in Putnam, CT, and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program for the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. Matt and his husband Whitney and their three children live in West Hartford.
ADRIANA NEGRON
COORDINATED HOMELESS PREVENTION MANAGER
Adriana is super excited to be joining Journey Home and continuing to make a difference in the community. As a born and raised Hartford native, she comes from a background in Property Management, working with small businesses, community work and event coordination. In her free time, Adriana enjoys cooking, spending time with close friends & family and reading. You can also always catch her at a local farmers market or community events, supporting locals in CT.
SARAH PAVONE
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY
Sarah has her degree in Social Work and has worked in homeless services for more than 8 years in the Capital region. Sarah has worked for numerous agencies and has experience managing the full continuum of care including outreach, prevention, diversion, emergency shelter, and permanent supportive housing. Sarah’s passion and work have been committed to system improvement to ensure individuals and families experiencing homelessness have access to quality services and housing. Sarah lives in Hamden with her family and enjoys running, hiking, and coffee.
ALISON SJOBERG
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Alison started off her work at Journey Home as an intern and has since been hired as a full-time employee at Journey Home. She graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2015 where she earned her degree in Social Services and from UConn School of Social Work in 2017 where she earned her Masters of Social Work in Community Organizing. She is honored to have the opportunity to work at Journey Home and serve the Greater Hartford community. When she is not at work you can find her running, doing yoga, spending time with friends and family, reading, and traveling!
SARA SALOMONS WILSON
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Since 1995, Sara has committed her life to advocacy and justice within urban communities. Her early work as a VISTA volunteer in Grand Rapids, Michigan shaped her entire life’s calling. She is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ with a BA from Calvin College and an MDiv from North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago.
Throughout her career, Sara has served churches in Michigan, Illinois and Connecticut. She has been working with Journey Home since 2014. Her passion and commitment to the work of ending homelessness is unwavering. Throughout her many years at Journey Home she has helped raise millions of dollars of essential funding all in an effort to ensure that people who need a home have a home. She also conceptualized and developed Journey Home’s volunteer engagement program, A Hand Up.
Sara lives in West Hartford and when she is not working she spends lots of time with her husband and three sons, cooks and bakes, and plays with her two pugs.
ANASTACIA WOOLCOCK
DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
Anastacia holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Pace University. Anastacia has worked in the housing sector for over 10 years in the Northwest region of Connecticut, playing an instrumental role in creating the foundation of the Northwest CAN. Before beginning her work at Journey Home, she was the Director of Community Services for New Opportunities Inc., a community action agency in Waterbury. Anastacia is recognized in the Northwest Region as a leader in collaboration with other community partners. Anastacia enjoys spending quality time with her son Aidan and often found in Poughkeepsie, New York spending time with her family.
ANDREA YESKEY
DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
Driven by a desire to make a positive impact, Andrea has devoted her career to working in the nonprofit sector and is thrilled to join the team at Journey Home! She has over 15 years of development experience with prior roles in communications, special events and donor relations at healthcare and social service organizations. Andrea loves the beach, live music, the Yankees and spending time with family and friends. She lives in Suffield with her husband, Peter, and two sons.
Journey Home Mission: Our mission is to ensure a home for all.
We believe the most powerful way to do this is collectively - by working together with service providers, elected officials, businesses and local communities to end homelessness in the Capital region of Connecticut. We will build partnerships, advance innovative solutions and achieve enduring, systemic change.