Home Care Coordinator Bilingual in Russian From Home Family Care

The staffing needs of Bilingual International continually evolve to meet the growing needs of the communities that we serve.

JASON BAKER, PhD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JASON BAKER received his Ph.D. in Languages and Literatures from Washington University in St. Louis in 2007. While working as (among other things) an adjunct German professor, he served as a volunteer citizenship tutor in the Naturalization Aid program for ii years before leaving the bookish loonshit entirely and coming on lath as Interpreter Coordinator in 2012. For four years, Jason assisted the agency's founder, Julia Ostropolsky, LCSW, with strategic planning, grant and financial management, and 24-hour interval-to-day agency operations before accepting directorship in 2016. Equally Executive Managing director, Jason is dedicated to conveying out the founder'southward vision of equal access to services for all. A native St. Louisan, he has never had a more challenging, exhausting, or rewarding task.

DIANNE CARTY – Manager, SOCIAL SERVICES

DIANNE CARTY came to Bilingual International as a Russian interpreter in 2012 and has worked with a broad range of clients and programming. Built-in in Uzbekistan (and so Soviet Marriage), Dianne arrived in the U.S. in 1991 and helped her family adjust to American culture. She holds a Available's of Arts in Geography: GIS and worked equally a  Cartographic Annotator for the Section of Defence for two years earlier switching fields to pursue her passion of helping people. Dianne served as a multilingual Affordable Care Human action Navigator earlier assuming oversight of that program. She likewise oversaw agency Medicaid Reassessment services for several years. She now works with our Social Services Squad to ensure clinical and contract compliance across all SLAAA programs, Macklind International Senior Center, Claim, and Medicaid Expansion. She advises on the challenges impacting Express English Practiced communities on several boards including the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board, the Advisory Committee for Equitable COVID Vaccine Distribution in Missouri, the PBS Nine Network Advisory Board, and as a guest fellow member of the Regional Wellness Commission Community Informational Board. She was recently elected to serve equally the Lead Delegate from Missouri for Refugee Congress, a national nonpartisan advocacy organization led by former refugees to promote the wellbeing and nobility of all vulnerable migrants.

MARIO CAMERE, ESQ. – Managing director OF LEGAL SERVICES

MARIO CAMERE, ESQ. received his Juris Doctorate from the Saint Louis University School of Police in 2013. Mario joined Bilingual International in 2016. As the agency's Manager of Legal Services, Mario ensures that Bilingual International provides high quality, accessible legal services to various underrepresented immigrant communities. Moreover, Mario advises and assists his clients—primarily refugees and survivors of torture—with navigating the complexities of the The states clearing organisation. Mario has helped clients successfully naturalize as U.s.a. citizens, obtain permanent resident status, reunite with family members abroad through family unit reunification, avoid removal/displacement, and seek asylum in the United states.

KERSTEN HORN, MA, DIRECTOR, SPECIAL PROJECTS

KERSTEN HORN, MA is the lead for the agency's emergency programs in response to the COVID-xix pandemic. Kersten was born in Germany and attended college in France and the United Kingdom. He holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences and Economic science in European Marriage Studies from Cardiff Academy (UK) and an MA in Germanic Studies from The University of Texas at Austin. His professional feel prior to joining Bilingual International includes instruction, language services, and program management.

STAFF

Rania Abboud –
Customs Access Worker

Enisa Balogun, PLPC –
Therapist

Maria del Rosario Bobadilla, CSJ, LMFT –
Therapist

Eileen Cheong, LPC –
Therapist

Maria Childress, LCSW –
Therapist

Jorge Diaz, MA –
Community Access Worker

Abby Evilsizor, LMSW –
Clinician – Projection Prophylactic Space

Miranda Gace –
Community Access Worker

Eli Hoxha –
Operations Manager, DOJ Rep.

Candace Kilpatric, PLPC –
STEPS Counselor

Ron Klutho –
Team Atomic number 82 – Refugee Services

Yesenia Lopez –
Community Admission Worker

Abby MacDonald, LMSW –
Therapist

Will Mattingly, PLPC –
Therapist

Farah Mohammed –
Commuter

Sajida Momeni –
Community Access Worker

Anna Moore, PLPC –
Clinician, Project Safety Space

Thinh Nguyen –
Customs Access Worker/Survey Researcher

Tram Nguyen, MA –
Customs Access Worker

Rebecca Niedner –
Language Services Coordinator

Katrina Orlet, LCSW –
Therapist

Kimberly Osmanagic, LPC –
Therapist, Manager – Health Programs

Liz Ricks-Aherne, LMSW –
Clinician, Project Safe Space

Jazmin Rodriguez –
Language Services Coordinator VISTA

Ellen Sherman, MA –
Volunteer Coordinator

Rita Skiba-Mathews, LCSW –
Therapist/Coordinator – Project Safety Space

Daleva Sullentrup –
Bookkeeper

Miriam Taylor –
Community Admission Worker

Lorna Vaughn, LPC –
Therapist, Case Worker

Amy Wilhelm, MA –
Citizenship Educator – Senior Services

Daniel Williams-Rooney –
Financial Administrator

Paul Witte, LPC –
Coordinator – St. Louis Partnership for Survivors of Torture

Rachel Zahniser, PLPC –
Clinician – Project Safe Space

Deanna Zoller-Cocic –
Customs Access Worker

KIMBERLY OSMANAGIC, LPC – THERAPIST, DIRECTOR – WELLNESS PROGRAMS

KIMBERLY OSMANAGIC received her Masters of Counseling from St. Louis University. While she has a background working with adolescents and facilitating conflict resolution she also has over 14 years of feel providing individualized therapy to foreign born immigrants and refugees. At Bilingual International, Kimberly oversees ii major programs: STEPS to Better Health and Peer Health Coaching for Immigrants/Refugees. Kimberly is fluent in Bosnian. She easily adjusts to diverse cultures, various backgrounds and many languages, while maintaining professionalism, a great attitude, and a helpful demeanor.

LORNA VAUGH, LPC – THERAPIST, Instance WORKER

LORNA VAUGHN, LPC, holds an MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University and joined Bilingual International subsequently many years working on the front lines of mental health crunch intervention in St. Louis. With a piece of work history that includes ALM Hopewell Center, Behavioral Health Response, and Metropolitan St. Louis Psychiatric Center, Lorna excels at providing a calming presence in situations of extreme psychological distress. Lorna is currently providing counseling nether the STEPS to Better Health program. She too works with the Social Servicea Department serving non-foreign-born seniors in St. Louis City. Lorna is likewise a licensed ACA Navigator.

MIRANDA GACE
COMMUNITY ACCESS WORKER

MIRANDA GACE came to Bilingual International as a professional person interpreter and quickly alerted us to the needs of the minor merely underserved Albanian and Kosovar communities in the area. She has since worked to secure U.Southward. citizenship and social services for many older permanent residents of this customs. Miranda has a groundwork in didactics and journalism, and she served as the Executive Director of the Society for Autonomous Civilization in Tirana, Albania for nearly a decade. Miranda is a community leader in the truthful sense of the word, an advocate for her people, and a member of numerous organizations and Boards outside the bureau including Family unit Care Health Centers.

THINH NGUYEN, MA – SURVEY RESEARCHER / Community Access WORKER

THINH NGUYEN was born in Vietnam and holds a Journalism and Law caste from universities in Hanoi. He also holds a Masters in Legal Studies from Webster University. Initially working with the bureau'south Vietnamese customer base of operations as a Community Access Worker, Thinh transitioned in Fall of 2022 to the position of Survey Researcher. As such, he oversees all surveys in back up of bureau programming/reporting also as the analysis and interpretation of survey information.

ELLEN SHERMAN, MA
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

ELLEN SHERMAN is no stranger to Bilingual International. One of three founding lath members, she served as the President of the Lath of Directors for two consecutive terms. Under her leadership, the bureau grew from a modest squad of five to a larger, vibrant, and productive squad of 12 staff members. Her  background includes an MA in Gerontology and over 40 years working in long term care and customs based senior services.  Equally an experienced Volunteer Coordinator, Ellen's dedication and positive energy is truly contagious.

DALEVA SULLENTRUP
BOOKKEEPER

DALY SULLENTRUP serves as Bilingual International'due south Bookkeeper, having previously worked in an estate planning law firm and for many years with a not-profit labor arrangement. Built-in in Cuba as the girl of missionary parents who left Havana in 1961, Daly is bilingual, fluent in English language and Castilian. Daly has lived and worked in Florida, Mexico Urban center, Texas, and, for the final 14 years, Missouri. Daly welcomes the job's challenges every bit she continues to collaborate with Bilingual International'southward leadership team with the ultimate goal of sustained organizational success.

FARAH MOHAMMED
SENIOR Eye Driver

FARAH MOHAMMED and his family fled Somalia in 1991 due to civil war. At a refugee army camp in Kenya, Farah worked as a driver for the UNHCR and IOM, and too assisted the disabled and vulnerable in the camp. Mohammed and his family unit were resettled to St. Louis in 2004, and he began working at various agencies. Farah is well-known in the Somali community as the father of the largest Somali family in town (13 children). Farah picks up our multi-ethnic senior group participants at their door and brings them to Macklind International safely and always with his trademark positive energy.

ELI HOXHA
CITIZENSHIP COORDINATOR / SR. CTR. ADMIN. / Department OF JUSTICE ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVE

ELI HOXHA was born in Albania and immigrated to the The states with her family in 1997. She graduated from Saint Louis University with her Bachelors in Social Piece of work. Her work ethic and compassionate treat aging populations makes her a unique nugget on the Bilingual team. Eli serves as the Citizenship Coordinator for older adults and too oversees Senior Center Operations at Bilingual International.

RON KLUTHO
REFUGEE SERVICES TEAM Atomic number 82

RON KLUTHO has worked with the refugee communities of St Louis for over 25 years. With a background in linguistics and English language as a Second Language, Ron has taught English in Nippon and at several locations in St Louis. He started as a volunteer at St Pius V's Refugee Support Ministry with Sister Paulette Weindel while teaching full-time, which evolved into a full-time position at the church. Ron speaks several languages fluently including Bosnian, and is trying to learn Arabic now with nifty interest but great difficulty. Ron and his refugee services "Faith Team" came to the bureau from Places for People in October 2022 afterwards many years of collaboration with Bilingual International

SAJIDA MOMENI – Community Access WORKER

SAJIDA MOMENI received her B.A in Linguistic Humanities in Kabul, Transitional islamic state of afghanistan. She also received an Assembly Degree in Human Services from St. Louis Customs College at Forest Park. Sajida was born in Afghanistan and speaks Pashto and Dari fluently. Sajida worked for 4 years at the International Found of St. Louis as a mental health instance worker and worked for v and one-half years at Places for People every bit customs support. Sajida is currently working at Bilingual International every bit a Customs Access Worker.

KATRINA ORLET, LCSW
THERAPIST

KATRINA ORLET, LCSW has over 20 years of feel working with individuals and families who have experienced abuse, trauma, and difficult life circumstances. A bilingual (Castilian) therapist, she has an MSW from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a BSSW from Saint Louis University, and has worked in St. Louis, the Pacific Northwest, and Bolivia. Her focus is on building capacity to care for complex family problems, and collaboration to improve services for everyone. Katrina'southward professional experience includes kid abuse and neglect,mental health and substance abuse treatment,school social piece of work, and residential services, with an emphasis on serving people in their own customs.

PAUL WITTE, LPC – COORDINATOR – ST. LOUIS PARTNERSHIP FOR SURVIVORS OF TORTURE, THERAPIST

PAUL WITTE, LPC, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Truman State University in 2010. He earned his Master Caste in Mental Health Counseling from Southern Oregon University in 2013 and began work that year with the Center for Survivors of Torture and War Trauma in St. Louis.  In 2016, Paul served as the clinical supervisor for the Belize City Community Counseling Center, which operated under the the Ministry of Human Services and provided mental health services for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Paul Witte returned to St. Louis to serve several years every bit a therapist on Project Safe Space before accepting a position as Coordinator of the St. Louis Partnership for Survivors of Torture and War Trauma.

RITA SKIBA-MATHEWS, LCSW
Projection SAFE SPACE DIRECTOR, THERAPIST

RITA SKIBA-MATHEWS, LCSW earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University with a focus on supporting customs evolution in underfunded city neighborhoods.  Upon arriving in St. Louis in 2012, she worked with start generation higher students at Higher Bound St. Louis and served as a groups facilitator and psychoeducation coordinator at Safe Connections.  In 2017, Rita graduated from St. Louis University's clinical social work program with a specialization of working with children and youth who have experienced trauma.  Rita is a licensed clinical social worker and is currently working on EMDR and ABFT certifications. Rita currently serves as the Project Safety Space Director while providing therapy services to a small caseload of clients enrolled in Projection Prophylactic Infinite services. Outside of her work at Bilingual International, Rita collaborates with other community providers to ensure the provision of affirming and supportive services to LGBTQIA+ youth

ENISA BALOGUN, PLPC
THERAPIST

ENISA BALOGUN, PLPC, was built-in and raised in Sarajevo, Republic of bosnia and herzegovina. She provided lay counseling in Bosnia for 14 years before moving to the U.South. to pursue and complete her Masters of Arts in Counseling at Covenant Theological Seminary. Enisa is bilingual in Bosnian and English with experience providing customs-based therapy to clients from a wide variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Enisa is a coffee enthusiast and when non working can be constitute hanging out in coffee shops.

AMY WILHELM, MA
CITIZENSHIP EDUCATOR – SENIOR SERVICES

AMY WILHELM holds a BA in International Relations from Tulane Academy and an MA in Spanish from St. Louis University. She has worked equally an English as a Second Linguistic communication educator and advocate for the Illinois Migrant Teaching Program and also as an immigration specialist for an immigration attorney in New Orleans. Amy has studied 2d linguistic communication acquisition theory and teaching methodologies, and is a fellow member of ACTFL (American Council on Educational activity of Foreign Linguistic communication). She has been teaching Spanish for fourteen years in St. Louis, from primary to college levels.

MARIA DEL ROSARIO BOBADILLA, CSJ, LMFT

MARIA DEL ROSARIO BOBADILLA, CSJ, LMFT is a psychotherapist/counselor with decades of experience working with families, couples and individuals. Maria also has a Chaplain Certification for Missouri. She works with an eclectic methodology with stiff roots in pastoral counseling. Amongst other therapy directions, she uses a holistic orientation working with the whole areas of the person. Currently, Maria lives in the city of St. Louis and works every bit a bilingual therapist for Bilingual International at Casa de Salud'southward Mental Health Collaborative, a clergyman at Mercy Infirmary, and leads therapy groups. Maria likes to walk, hike and visit the cute parks of Missouri.

CANDACE KILPATRIC, PLPC – STEPS COUNSELOR

CANDACE KILPATRIC, PLPC is a provisionally licensed counselor working under the STEPS to Better Health program. She holds a Master's degree in Didactics from Washington Academy in St. Louis and spent twenty years working equally a teacher. In 2016, Candace completed a Master'south degree in Counseling from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. She has previously worked in the handling unit of the St. Louis Canton Department of Family Services and has worked in schools with children and youth through counseling internships. Candace is married and the female parent of an adult son and college student daughter.

RANIA ABBOUD – Community Access WORKER

RANIA ABBOUD graduated with a Bachelor's degree in French and Concern Assistants from the University of Missouri – St. Louis in 2013.  She is a native speaker of Arabic and has worked with many dissimilar agencies in the capacity of interpreter beyond a broad range of settings including schools, individual sector companies, medical settings, and courtrooms.  She likewise worked as an Standard arabic instructor for adults and as a private French tutor for young children. Rania has a passion for helping Limited English Proficient individuals, which is rooted in the struggles that she experienced herself upon arriving in the U.S. from Lebanon.

ABBY MACDONALD, LMSW – THERAPIST

ABBY MACDONALD was built-in in St. Louis and attended The Academy of Arkansas for her undergraduate degree in Psychology and African Studies. After a volunteer year working for a nonprofit serving the foreign-built-in community in Philadelphia, she returned to St. Louis to obtain her Masters in Social Work from Washington University. She has practicum and piece of work experience at diverse immigrant service providers in the area with both children and adults. Abby is passionate about learning from dissimilar cultures and e'er trying to find more ways to travel.

EILEEN CHEONG, LPC – THERAPIST

EILEEN CHEONG was built-in in New York Urban center to parents that immigrated from Singapore, where she grew up amid a multitude of cultures and after taught abroad as an ESL instructor in Hainan, China. She moved to Saint Louis to earn her Masters in Art Therapy Counseling from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville in 2013. As a nationally Registered Art Therapist she specializes in narrative and person-centered therapy to encourage the artistic process as a catalyst for healing and to envision positive change in our communities. With 200 60 minutes foundational training in yoga,Eileen provides skill building in breathwork and mindfulness techniques to counter anxiety and depression. Through her feel every bit a crisis intervention advisor, she is proficient at using trauma-informed approaches to counseling and believes in Relational-Cultural approaches to wellness to address the whole person along with their worldview.

Volition MATTINGLY, PLPC – THERAPIST

Volition MATTINGLY, PLPC graduated magna cum laude from Covenant Theological Seminary with a Masters in Counseling in 2017.  He has extensive experience in both private counseling and leading men'due south therapy groups. Outside of work, Will enjoys palying and composing music, practicing martial arts, and is besides an agile fellow member of the St. Louis Table Tennis Club.

DEANNA ZOLLER-COCIC – Community Admission WORKER

DEANNA ZOLLER-COCIC fled her hometown of Sarajevo in 1992 during the siege with her two young children.  Every bit a refugee in Germany, she speedily learned German and worked as a Medical Assistant for German language physicians in Wiesbaden.Deanna arrived in St. Louis in 1998 and worked in sales and customer service at Lambert International Airport for 15 years.  For the by five years, she has worked equally an interpreter with LAMP.Deanna works on the Social Services team and oversees the Bosnian senior group, likewise as providing case work, citizenship, benefits assistance, Medicare counseling, etc. for our Bosnian-speaking clients.

RACHEL ZAHNISER, PLPC – CLINICIAN, Projection SAFE Infinite

RACHEL ZAHNISER, PLPC, earned a Bachelor's Degree in International and Cantankerous Cultural Studies from Greenville Academy in 2012. Rachel was raised in Colorado and Southern Illinois. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she moved to Oslo, Kingdom of norway, then to Wichita, Kansas, and finally to St. Louis where she graduated from the University of Missouri- St. Louis in 2022 with a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Rachel has advanced grooming in EMDR and Play Therapy; she is passionate virtually using play, inventiveness, art, trip the light fantastic, and EMDR in therapy with children through the Project Safe Space program. In her free time, Rachel enjoys rock climbing, reading, and improving her Spanish language skills.

TRAM NGUYEN, MA – Community Admission WORKER

TRAM NGUYEN arrived in the United States from her native Vietnam in 1993 and earned a BA in Theology and Religious Studies with a minor in Sociology as well as a Master's degree in Organisation Development from San Francisco University, California. Tram has adult various skills across a wide range of work experiences in different areas of practice, including: project administrator, strategic program ambassador, pastoral back up, and mentor/care giver. She has worked locally and internationally with refugees, immigrants, children with HIV, homeless children, domestic violence, and women in recovery.

ABBY EVILSIZOR, LMSW – CLINICIAN, PROJECT SAFE SPACE

ABBY EVILSIZOR, LMSW, earned a Available of Arts degree from Indiana University with a focus on Castilian and Latino Studies, also as Social Welfare. In 2018, she completed her Main'due south in Social Piece of work from Saint Louis University with a concentration in clinical practice. Prior to joining BIAS, Abby worked with children and youth in foster care. She now serves as a Castilian-speaking clinician on Project Safety Space. Exterior of piece of work, Abby enjoys spending time with her dog, doing yoga and traveling

JORGE DIAZ, Customs Access WORKER

JORGE DIAZ ARIAS, MA has worked for many years with Bilingual International and other local and national agencies every bit a professional Spanish interpreter.  Originally from Peru, Jorge came to the United States to further his studies, earning a MA in Marketing from Lindenwood University in 1992.  For 7 years, he worked every bit a Lath of Immigration Appeals Accredited Representative for the Southern Illinois nonprofit, Clearing Project Inc.  He is proud to be in a position to aid assist Latino immigrants in many different environments to ensure they receive services.

MARIA CHILDRES, LCSW – THERAPIST

MARIA CHILDRESS, LCSW, earned a Master's Degree in Social Work from St. Louis Academy.  She has worked with refugee and immigrant adults and children for over 25 years.  During this time, as a school social worker, social work ambassador, Director of Mental Wellness, and behavioral health therapist, she has participated in the development of multiple supports for New Americans in the St. Louis Area.  Maria currently works as a behavioral wellness therapist on the St. Louis Partnership for Survivors of Torture and State of war Trauma project.

YESENIA LOPEZ – COMMUNITY ACCESS WORKER

YESENIA LOPEZ was built-in in Los Angeles and moved to St. Louis at the age of five.  She has used her Spanish language skills in her background as a bilingual medical assistant specializing in women's health intendance.  Yesenia brings a passion for profitable people with Express English language and helping them advance their lives in the nigh positive fashion possible.

LIZ RICKS-AHERNE, LMSW – CLINICIAN, PROJECT Prophylactic SPACE

LIZ RICKS-AHERNE, LMSW received her Master of Social Piece of work caste and Graduate Certificate in Gerontology from Saint Louis University in 2019, with emphases on clinical practice, older adults, finish of life, and grief. Liz has spent time living in Frg supporting people with migration backgrounds, worked with grieving children and families, managed translation projects, and published about trauma-informed care. Every bit a Project Safety Space clinician, Liz uses a diversity of therapeutic tools to support each person's unique path toward healing, including art, music, books, writing, and play. In her complimentary time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, gardening, singing, and travel.

DANIEL WILLIAMS-ROONEY – FINANCIAL Ambassador

DANIEL WILLIAMS-ROONEY – Bio forthcoming.

ANNA MOORE, PLPC – CLINICIAN – Projection SAFE SPACE

ANNA MOORE, PLPC earned her Primary'south degree in Art Therapy Counseling from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2022 where she focused her research on the creation and evaluation of a creative psychoeducational plan for immigrant youth and unaccompanied minors in St. Louis. Prior to joining BIAS, her piece of work has emphasized acute psychiatric care, behavioral wellness, eating disorders, and creating identity-affirming spaces in clinical settings. Anna has completed presentations at both national and state level conferences and has co-authored 2 art therapy related publications. In combination with her background in trauma-informed and context-considerate therapeutic practice, Anna provides a artistic approach to exploring and healing with art-making techniques, materials, and media.

REBECCA NIEDNER – Language SERVICES COORDINATOR

REBECCA NIEDNER's background in logistics, ESL, resettlement and advocacy for refugees and immigrants ensures that clients receive language admission and quality advice. Rebecca received her undergraduate degree in Fine art and Photography from Columbia College Chicago, her TESOL diploma and certification from Uni-Prep Constitute, and is currently studying the Standard arabic language.

JAZMIN RODRIGUEZ – LANGUAGE SERVICES VISTA

JAZMIN RODRIGUEZ was born in St. Louis subsequently her parents immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico. She earned her Bachelor's in Political Scientific discipline from Lindenwood University in 2020. She is passionate about helping the immigrant customs thrive and enjoys learning more about different cultures: interests which serve her well in her Americorps VISTA role in the Language Services Department.  Jazmin is pursuing law schoolhouse and becoming an immigration attorney in the St. Louis area.  In her spare time, Jazmin enjoys hiking and spending time in nature.

MIRIAM TAYLOR – Family Case Managing director

MIRIAM TAYLOR has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and is currently completing her Masters in Social Work with an accent in behavioral and mental health from University of Missouri – St. Louis. She has worked with multiple immigrant and refugee service providers and is currently completing her concentration practicum at the International Institute of St. Louis. Miriam is a part-fourth dimension Family Example Manager for Project Safe Space.

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Source: https://www.bilingualstl.org/home/our-team-2/

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