Staff

Stacie Sanchez has more than 10 years of experience in social services. Currently, Ms. Sanchez is the Director of the Sunset Park Alliance for Youth in Brooklyn, NY. Founded in 2009, The Alliance is a community-based collaborative of existing youth and workforce development agencies in Sunset Park. These agencies have come together to reconnect youth ages 16-24 to the classroom and the workplace. Ms. Sanchez leads a team of five who have already engaged and energized over 250 disconnected youth.

Prior to the Alliance, Ms. Sanchez served at The After-School Corporation (TASC), where she held multiple roles. She served as Program Coordinator for the Summer Jobs Program, where she placed over 1,000 New York teens in summer jobs and provided them with job training. Ms. Sanchez also served as a Program Officer for the City Connection program, which assisted approximately 100 youth at risk of failing to graduate from high school. Previously at TASC, she launched the Scholars in Training program; an 18-month initiative that served over 200 teens that encountered or were at risk of entering the juvenile justice system.

Ms. Sanchez holds a Master’s of Science in Social Work from Columbia University, with a focus on social policy and research. As a student, she worked in Citywide Education and Youth Services at the New York Mayor's Office. During her tenure there, Ms. Sanchez worked to improve service delivery for the New York City Adult Literacy Initiative (NYCALI). Ms. Sanchez also spent time with the American Red Cross September 11th Recovery Program as a Family Support Specialist and with Columbia University's Early Head Start Program, which serves low-income families in West Harlem.

Courtney Granger is the Support Services Coordinator for the Sunset Park Alliance.  In this role, she helps to develop staff and assist young people to access programming across the Alliance’s network of programs, supporting the goal of the Alliance to connect each participant to the services most appropriate for them. Courtney believes in the potential of every young person to achieve their goals, and her passion is working with youth who have been disconnected from work and school.  Before joining the Alliance, Courtney served as the Supervisor of Career and Education Support Services at The Door, a multi-service youth development organization in Manhattan.  At The Door, Courtney managed a team of caseworkers to organize and provide support services to young adult clients in education and workforce programs. Courtney obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural and Women’s Studies from Ramapo College of New Jersey, and is currently completing her Master’s in Social Work at Hunter College.

Imee Hernandez has served the Sunset Park community for the past eighteen years.  She was employed by the Center for Family Life, where she gained experience working with youth and their families in after-school, high school and clinical settings.  Imee believes in the strength-based approach and has worked with at-risk populations in Sunset Park with a holistic view, which acknowledges that families, environment and individual needs are all interconnected and deserve attention and consideration. Imee holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Education and Master’s in Social Work from New York University.

Imee is a facilitator for the SPIN (Supporting Potential in Our Neighborhood) youth group, as part of her role as a case manager for the Sunset Park Alliance for Youth. Imee Hernandez has an immense passion for working with disconnected youth. She is a life-long resident of Sunset Park and is living testimony that, with a guiding hand and quality services, disconnected youth can be engaged and become purposeful adults.

Argenys Taveras joined Sunset Park Alliance for Youth in August of 2010. He has worked with youth in multiple settings and capacities.  Before the Alliance, Mr. Taveras volunteered for the New Jersey SEEDS Program from 2002-2005.  A graduate of the SEEDS program, Argenys was inspired to return and contribute to the program for several summers and weekends as he developed and facilitated in the classroom.

Argenys received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Wesleyan University in 2008. He dedicated himself to the Traverse Square After-School Program in Middletown, Connecticut. As a co-coordinator, he organized and supported relationships between college students and neighborhood youth. Additionally, Argenys led trainings for tutors, developed curriculum, and managed day to day operations as well as community building. Since graduating he has worked with diverse populations such as college bound students of color and autistic youth.

Currently, Argenys serves as a Youth Specialist at the Sunset Park Alliance. He provides intensive case management as well as co-facilitates the Supporting Potential in Our Neighborhood Program (SPIN).  As a facilitator he brings passion and sensitivity to his work while providing a relatable example of professionalism.

Laina Yoswein is the AmeriCorps member of the Sunset Park Alliance for Youth. Laina received her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Psychology from Fordham University in 2009. Prior to her AmeriCorps term, Laina has worked with youth as a private tutor, and mentor through the Big Buddy Little Buddy program.  Most recently, Laina worked as an intern at NYC Outward Bound and a research assistant at Fordham University.  

Laina also works part-time at Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow’s Brooklyn Workforce Resource Center assessing program management and client satisfaction.

Upon completion of her AmeriCorps term, Laina hopes continue her work with disconnected populations while obtaining a graduate degree in clinical counseling.