Jordan Alexis Melbourne- Lead for Life
My name is Jordan Melbourne. I am serving as an AmeriCorps member for the 2025-6 school year. I currently am a college student studying Elementary and Special Education. I hope to serve my community and build relationships within the school system and students to create a nurturing safe learning environment. I have worked with children my whole career from being a certified swim instructor, volunteering with youth sports and assisting in the classroom. I am passionate about education, mentorship and closing the achievement gap. I am so excited for this school year and can’t wait to continue the work.
Marinobi Medrano– Montgomery County Public Schools
Marinobi Medrano at Oakland Terrace Elementary School, Montgomery County Public Schools. Marinobi Medrano was born in the Dominican Republic. She has been in the United States for 7 years. As a Latina of African ancestry advocating for the rights of people is very important to her. Her native language is Spanish. Marinobi is studying at Montgomery College with a major in nursing and her goal is to become a pediatric nurse. She is married and a mother of two children a 6-year-old daughter, her younger child is one, and her husband works in higher education. In the summer of 2022, she was accepted into AmeriCorps Project Change, and she is serving at Sligo Middle School.
Stephanie Nguenda Owoundi Khoury- Montgomery County Public Schools- GBTLA
My name is Stephanie Owoundi-Khoury. I am born and raised in Washington, D.C. I studied Political Science at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. I have worked different jobs in the region with my last major one being a Visits & Accreditation Coordinator for the Canadian Military at the Embassy of Canada in DC. I am now a stay at home mom to my 1 year daughter Samira.
Chade L Herring- Liberty’s Promise
My name is Chade’ Herring, I grew up in Montgomery County my whole life. I lived in Silver Spring MD for 19 years and now live in Rockville. I’m a recent college graduate from Stevenson University, where I got my bachelor’s in English Lit and a minor in Entrepreneurship and Small business development. I’m excited to be a part of AmeriCorps, where I can give back to the community that has shaped me. I am also preparing to pursue graduate studies in Speech-Language Pathology, a field that aligns with my passion for helping others improve their communication and quality of life.
Ellen Giana Gomez-Montgomery Housing Partnership
Hi my name is Ellen I am 20 years old, I was born in Baltimore but I was mostly raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. I graduated high school in 2023 and I’m currently in college studying for sonography. This is my first year in AmeriCorps and I have met amazing people. I’ve been working for MHP for 2-3 years now. I’ve been working with kids and enjoy being able to help them out and being able to learn more about them.
Janel Green
Janel has experience supporting children in both childcare and academic settings. She helped care for kids during lunchtime and nap time, where she was responsible for their safety and well-being, including communicating with parents when needed.
For many years, Janel has been connected to service and community work. She served as an after-school tutor for children in her community, helping support their learning and development. These experiences have prepared her to continue helping students succeed in school and feel supported.
Chiquita Battle
ChiQuita Battle lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband and their two daughters. A former MCPS school teacher, she has never stopped educating young people about the power and responsibility of self-leadership.
She currently serves as a Social Emotional Leadership Coach with Project Change, a role she deeply enjoys. As she continues her entrepreneurial journey, her aspiration is to use her business as a vehicle for meaningful social impact.
Rasie Johnny
Rasie Tenneh Johnny is a recent graduate from Bowie State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She is currently serving at CaringMatters as a Volunteer Coordinator. Even after earning her degree, she consistently found herself drawn to supporting youth, particularly in after-school settings. She is passionate about continuing to serve young people and contributing to the growth of her community, with a focus on emotional well-being and healthy relationships. In her spare time, she enjoys mentoring youth. Overall, Rasie recognizes the need for strong support systems for young people today and strives to be a positive and impactful role model in her community
Muriel Francis
Hi, I’m Muriel Francis. I am recently retired (less than a year) but can’t seem to stay out of a classroom. I recently completed another successful trip around the sun (birthday) and am hoping to add a few more to my journey. Camping has been something I have done and really enjoy since I was a little girl. However, I have upgraded my status to “glamping”. Thirty plus years of pitching a tent is time served! Working with Americorp is in sync with other volunteer work I do. I have been working with people in recovery (alcohol and substance abuse) for the past 7 years. Everyone’s story is different, everyone needs help and social emotional learning is something we all can benefit from. I hope you find your niche in life. Shalom!
Hakim Rose
Hakim is a community-focused creative who is passionate about helping others express themselves and feel seen. Some of the ways he has supported his local community include facilitating writing workshops for all ages that promote emotional literacy through creative expression, as well as hosting free dance sessions that encourage creativity and confidence.
He stays actively involved in community spaces such as open mic and spoken word events, dance workshops, and youth activities like chess clubs. Hakim also gives back by providing free haircuts to different members of the community.
His work is rooted in his personal experience growing up. He didn’t always have the support he needed and was often misunderstood or labeled based on how he expressed himself. Over time, there were adults who took the time to help him understand himself and believe in who he was.
Those experiences shaped how he shows up today. Hakim uses his voice, creativity, and presence to help others express and process their emotions. He is committed to sharing his light and inspiring people in a positive way, especially young people who may be struggling or need support.
Gladys Rivas
Hi! My name is Gladys Lagos Rivas, and this is my first year serving with AmeriCorps Project CHANGE. I was born in Washington, D.C., and I’m proud of my Salvadorian and Honduran heritage. I joined AmeriCorps after a friend recommended the program, and it’s been such a rewarding experience so far. I love working with the kids and creating a safe, supportive environment where they can grow and feel valued. I’m currently in college, majoring in sonography, and I’m excited to keep learning and giving back to my community.
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Rosmy Darisme
Rosmy is passionate about mentoring and connecting with young people, with a strong commitment to supporting their growth and development. She has made a life-changing decision to pursue a path centered on understanding and promoting healthy, conscious living, both for herself and those around her.
Driven by purpose, Rosmy believes in the power of shared experiences to inspire and uplift youth. She is dedicated to creating meaningful connections, encouraging positive choices, and helping young people navigate their personal journeys with confidence and awareness. Through her work, she strives to make a lasting impact by fostering environments where youth feel supported, empowered, and motivated to thrive.
Pearl Andrieu
Pearl Andrieu is a Learning & Development Manager and Project Leader with over seven years of experience driving education and workforce development initiatives across nonprofit, corporate, and public sectors. She currently serves as a leader within Project CHANGE through AmeriCorps, where she supports program strategy, data evaluation, and the implementation of MyScore, a social-emotional learning tool designed to improve student outcomes and inform instructional practices.
Pearl is passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential and is committed to building programs that create lasting, community-centered impact.
Sandra D Lee– MCPS
Sande Lee is an educational program developer and community mentor dedicated to creating hands-on learning opportunities that prepare students for real-world success. She currently leads two innovative student initiatives in the Springbrook cluster in Silver Spring, Maryland, focused on workforce development and entrepreneurship.
At Springbrook High School, Sande leads an Indoor Vertical Farm Project with Americorp members Rose and ChiQuita Battle . The project is designed to introduce students to sustainable agriculture, food systems, and emerging green careers. The program provides practical training in indoor farming technologies while helping students develop job readiness skills. Her long-term vision is to create a pathway to employment where students can gain industry-relevant experience and transition into careers in urban agriculture, environmental sustainability, and food production.
The also, project services Albert Einstein High School and Twinbrook Elementary School. The schools we service have significant fresh food insecurity issues. The students host school farmer’s markets and wellness events. This year the food project has launched a program for Autistic Students and Culinary Students at Springbrook High School.
In addition, Sande leads a Jewelry Design and Craft Entrepreneurship Program at Briggs Chaney Middle School. Through this program, students learn how to design and create handcrafted jewelry while also exploring the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Students develop creative skills alongside lessons in product development, pricing, branding, and selling their work. The program encourages young learners to see themselves as creators, innovators, and future business owners.
Through both initiatives, Sande Lee is committed to empowering young people with practical skills, creative confidence, and opportunities that connect education with real economic pathways.
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Joselle Royer
Royer went to school at UMBC for sociology and psychology. She graduated cum laude and went on to work with students with autism as an RBT. She loves helping others and is excited for the opportunity to give back to her community.
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