Celebration Company Staff

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University and a Masters in Healthcare/Business Administration from the University of Houston - Clear Lake. Sarah works as a Program Assistant at Celebration Company Central and co-leads Nite Owls, a social group for adults with intellectual disabilities. Sarah is also serving as Community Outreach Coordinator, where she leads the Celebrating Independence Program at Noah's House.  Sarah is a native Houstonian who grew up intertwined in the Houston Jewish Community. She has long admired the work of Celebration Company and is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of its mission, which allows her to give back to the community each and every day.

niteowls@alexanderjfs.org

(713) 986-7877

Daniel serves as the Shuttle Drive and Retail Associate for The Center for Art & Photography. In this role, he transports Alexander JFS employees from the Congregation Beth Yeshurun parking lot to the on-site Alexander JFS location. When not operating the shuttle, Daniel coordinates purchases and manages inventory at the Celebration Company Central store.

Daniel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Communications from Reichman University in Herzliya, Israel. Before joining JFS, he worked as a Digital Editor in Israel for three years. Daniel is known for his dedication and tireless work ethic, always eager to assist in any way he can.

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Emely Chavez is a dedicated and compassionate professional, holding a Certified Nursing Assistant license from Smithwood Medical Institute and actively pursuing a career in nursing. Her commitment to learning and serving has been evident from a young age.

Emely has been deeply involved in her home church, contributing to various departments including music and the youth program, and most recently serving as the director for the Pathfinders Club. Her passion for service extends beyond her local community, as she has participated in short-term missionary work in countries such as Costa Rica and Brazil.

Emely is excited to continue contributing to this exceptional team, bringing her strong work ethic and dedication to making a positive impact.

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ProgramStaff@alexanderjfs.org‍

‍(713) 986-7867

‍‍(713) 986-7860

‍CCRetail@alexanderjfs.org
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David has been a dedicated employee at Alexander JFS for approximately two years. In his versatile role, he supports the staff by running errands, driving employees to their internships, operating the bus, performing handyman tasks, and assisting with art projects.

In his free time, David enjoys practicing martial arts, working out at the gym, and doing yoga. He also engages in light crafts, attends Shul on Saturdays, and plays bass guitar at church on Sundays. David's diverse interests and commitment to helping others make him a valued member of the team.

Nick is entering his second year as a Program Assistant at Celebration Company. His responsibilities include job coaching, Baking Buddies assistant, assistant to the bus driver, and most recently, bus driver. Nick received his Associate of Arts degree from Schreiner University, Kerrville, Texas, in 2019. A native of Houston, he graduated from Lutheran High North where he lettered in Cross Country, Track and Field, and Basketball. He also played alto saxophone in the marching band. While in high school he participated in extensive foreign travel.

Nick has had a lifetime passion for sports and fitness and acquired his credentials as a Certified Personal Trainer. He worked for LA Fitness as a trainer and staffed the front desk. From a very young age, he trained in gymnastics and tumbling and later worked as a coach for summer gymnastics programs. While in high school he trained with basketball great, John Lucas, and Baylor Hall-of-Famer, Larry Gatewood. He enthusiastically supports all Houston area college and professional sports teams.

Nick is pleased to contribute as team member of Celebration Company.

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Kathy, a native Houstonian, brings over 40 years of experience in marketing, broadcasting, and graphic arts. Her academic journey at the University of Minnesota laid the foundation for her diverse career. Kathy's work at advertising agencies and marketing firms was a natural extension of her education, and fifteen years ago, she expanded her expertise into sales.

In her current role, Kathy takes immense pride in showcasing the remarkable work of talented artists with disabilities, highlighting their creativity and contributions. Her extensive background and dedication to promoting inclusivity make her a valuable asset in her field.

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CCCorporate@alexanderjfs.org
(713) 986-7201

Clinton Hedges holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College and a Master of Social Work degree from University of Houston.  Clinton works as a Program Assistant at Celebration Company, supporting adults with intellectual disabilities as they strengthen their job skills and life skills.  He coordinates Celebration Company’s Transitions program, a school break (pre-)vocational program for students with intellectual disabilities.  Clinton particularly enjoys working with participants on strengthening and expanding their culinary skills.

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‍TransitionPrograms@alexanderjfs.org‍‍

(713) 986-7852

Kathryn is the Celebration Company Central Coordinator overseeing the day-to-day operations of this program for adults with disabilities. She brings many years of experience as a Special Education Lead Educator and Vocational Adjustment Coordinator, specializing in transitional and community-based vocational instruction. She graduated from the University of California at Riverside with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and holds teaching certificates in several areas including Special Education, Math, and English as a Second Language.‍

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Admissions@alexanderjfs.org
713-986-7855

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Lauren is the Project Coordinator for Celebration Company West. She joined Alexander JFS with enthusiasm to expand the CC to the West vocational program in Houston, aiming to provide life skills and meaningful employment to individuals with disabilities in her community.

Lauren earned her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston while working as a paraprofessional in an HISD class for students with behavioral issues. After graduating, she became the lead teacher in a structured learning class and was awarded West Special Education Teacher of HISD in her second year of teaching.

Following her tenure in the HISD special education system, Lauren joined The Tuttle School at Briarwood, where she taught elementary, high school, and vocational classes. After a decade of teaching, she was promoted to director. During her directorship, she expanded the transition program by offering students aged 18+ various internships in the West community and initiated an on-campus café to enhance their employability skills.

Lauren's mission is to create a patient and inclusive environment for disabled adults to learn life and job skills, enabling them to become productive and meaningful members of the community.

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CCWest@alexanderjfs.org
713-590-7341

Melissa joined Celebration Company as a Program Assistant in the summer of 2023, bringing a rich background in Early Childhood Education. She holds a degree in Montessori Learning, which she earned in 2004 while living in Mexico City. Melissa comes from a diverse Jewish heritage; her maternal grandfather was a Holocaust survivor who met her Syrian Jewish grandmother in Houston. Her father's family immigrated to Mexico City from Poland and Ukraine in the early 1900s. Fluent in both Spanish and Hebrew, Melissa moved from San Diego to Houston with her two daughters in the summer of 2019. She loves spending her days with the Celebration Company team and is grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate to her daughters the value of meaningful work.

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CCVolunteers@alexanderjfs.org
‍713-590-7343

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Ira plays a crucial role at Celebration Company Central, driving the bus and ensuring the safe pick-up and drop-off of employees on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In addition to his driving duties, Ira maintains and services Celebration Company Central's small fleet of vehicles.

Before joining Celebration Company, Ira drove a 12-passenger van for Montgomery County’s Program for Adults with Special Needs, where his son Evan attended.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Ira spent over 40 years in Dayton, Ohio, working for NCR (National Cash Register). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master’s in Business Administration. Ira is a proud father of two children, grandfather of three, and great-grandfather of two.

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Tanesha is the Internship Coordinator and Program Assistant, bringing over a decade of experience in the Customer Service industry. Passionate about helping others achieve their goals, she is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Her five years with Fort Bend ISD deepened her understanding of the crucial need for social workers, reinforcing her dedication to making a positive impact in the community.

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programassistant@alexanderjfs.org

Alejandra began working for Celebration Company West in February 2024 and finds a profound purpose in assisting adults with disabilities. Originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, she is a dedicated mother of two daughters, aged 2 and 8. Her 8-year-old daughter, diagnosed with an intellectual disability and autism, has been a profound source of inspiration. This personal connection to disability motivated Alejandra to pursue a career benefiting children facing similar challenges.

Driven by her desire to create supportive and nurturing environments, Alejandra’s mission is to support those around her and create a world where every person with a disability can thrive and reach their full potential.

CCWest2@alexanderjfs.org

Carol Silverman is a dedicated Program Assistant at Celebration Company, where she has been a valued team member for the past decade. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Carol's passion for education and empowerment has been a consistent thread throughout her career.

Before joining Celebration Company, Carol taught early childhood education, a role in which she made a significant impact on the lives of young learners. Her transition to Celebration Company allowed her to continue her mission of fostering growth and development, this time focusing on helping adults feel empowered by their accomplishments.

Carol is a proud mother of three wonderful adult children and a doting grandmother to four grandchildren. Her family is a central part of her life, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.

Carol's dedication to helping others, combined with her nurturing spirit and love for her family, makes her a cherished member of both her professional and personal communities.

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CCWest1@alexanderjfs.org‍

(713) 986-7854

Integrity became a part of Joan and Stanford Alexander Celebration Company West in June 2024 as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant. A proud graduate of The University of Houston (Go COOGS!), she brings over 15 years of experience in healthcare. Originally from Fort Ord, California, Integrity has made Houston her home for more than 25 years. She is the proud mother of four and lives by the motto, "Be the change you wish to see."

‍‍‍CCWest3@alexanderjfs.org

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Samara Rosen received her Masters of Fine Arts at Cranbrook Academy of Art studying Fiber Art. Samara has participated in various national and regional art exhibitions, as well as an artist residency at the Craft Alliance in St Louis, Missouri. At Celebration Company, Samara oversees the various art activities and encourages the artists to have a voice of their own. She also coordinates art exhibitions and other partnerships that enables the art at Celebration Company to be seen in the larger public. In her free time, she enjoys sewing lace, making sculptures, and drawing.

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CenterForArt@alexanderjfs.org
(713) 986-7853

Kathryn Kraus
Celebration Company Central Coordinator
‍Admissions@alexanderjfs.org
713-986-7855

Clinton Hedges, MSW
Transitions Coordinator/Program Assistant
TransitionPrograms@alexanderjfs.org
(713) 986-7852

Tanesha Lewis
Program Assistant
programassistant@alexanderjfs.org

Emely Chavez
Certified Nursing Assistant/Program Assistant
ProgramStaff@alexanderjfs.org
(713) 986-7867

Melissa Leisorek
Program Assistant
CCVolunteers@alexanderjfs.org
‍713-590-7343

Sarah Abercrombie
Community Outreach/Program Assistantniteowls@alexanderjfs.org(713) 986-7877 ‍

Nick Giuffre
Job Coach and Program Assistant

David Dittemore
Program Assistant

Ira Levine
Bus Driver and Vehicle Maintenance

Lauren Krocak
Celebration Company West Coordinator and Outreach
CCWest@alexanderjfs.org
713-590-7341

Alejandra Lopez
Program AssistantCCWest2@alexanderjfs.org
‍(713) 590-7344

Carol Silverman
Program Assistant/Volunteer Coordinator
‍CCWest1@alexanderjfs.org
(713) 986-7854

Integrity Wilson
Certified Nursing Assistant, Program Assistant
‍CCWest3@alexanderjfs.org

Samara, Rosen
‍Coordinator
‍CenterForArt@alexanderjfs.org
(713) 986-7853

Sheila Curl
Retail/Gallery Manager
‍CCRetail@alexanderjfs.org
‍(713) 986-7860

Kathy Guttman
Corporate Sales and Branding Representative
CCCorporate@alexanderjfs.org
(713) 986-7201

Daniel Brown
Retail Associate