The National Network for Youth (NN4Y) is dedicated to preventing and eradicating youth homelessness in America. We work in communities with youth who have experienced homelessness, service providers, and systems to help accelerate the community’s progress in ending homelessness and human trafficking among young people. Together, we envision a future in which all young people have a safe place to call home with endless opportunities to achieve their fullest potential.
Founded in 1974 by community-based youth service-providers committed to shaping public policy and community practices to keep youth in crisis out of juvenile detention and child welfare systems and instead receive comprehensive community-based services. NN4Y has evolved, but its core mission has remained unwavering—to transform systems so that no young person in America experiences homelessness.
Mission. Vision. Values
MISSION
National Network for Youth is on a mission to transform systems so that no young person in America experiences homelessness.
VISION
National Network for Youth envisions a world where all young people have a safe place to call home with endless opportunities to reach their full potential.
Our Team
Partners trust us to carry out joint projects; governments and private entities trust our ability to create solutions that prevent and respond to experiences of homelessness and human trafficking among youth, young adults, and young families. Donors trust us to use their funds to improve youth health, increase possibilities for their educational achievement, and strengthen community ties. To safeguard this critical trust, NN4Y is committed to best practices in governance, accountability, and transparency.
Darla Bardine, Executive Director
Previously, Darla led grassroots and federal advocacy addressing exploitation, poverty, child welfare, substance use disorders, sexual violence, and the criminal legal system, including efforts to protect families, keep families together, and end the shackling of incarcerated pregnant women.
She holds degrees from Pennsylvania State University, the University of Roehampton, and Georgetown University Law Center.
Sarah Billings, MSW, LSW, Director of Community Strategies
Sarah Billings, MSW, LSW, serves as the Director of Community Strategies at the National Network for Youth, where she helps communities reimagine how systems can better support young people and families. With both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, she brings a systems-thinking mindset and a human-centered approach to every project.
Sarah’s career began at the local level, where she drove innovative solutions such as landlord risk-mitigation programs and mentoring supports for youth affected by gun violence. Today, she carries that innovation leadership into national work—helping communities build cross-system collaboratives, strengthen youth-adult partnerships, and create clear pathways for youth to shape policy and practice.
Passionate about turning complex challenges into practical, actionable strategies, Sarah’s background in coalition-building, strategic implementation, team supervision, grant management, and program development enables her to guide communities in identifying system gaps and designing changes that lead to lasting, meaningful impact.
Kaila Craw, Communications Associate
Kaila is the Communications Associate with the National Network for Youth. Prior to NN4Y, Kaila worked to support the expansion of school-based behavioral health care in the District of Columbia. Before that, their work centered on crisis response, including training first responders in psychological first aid and lobbying for school crisis plans to address the deep-rooted disparities our students face. Kaila has a Master’s degree in Public Policy from George Washington University. They are passionate about ensuring all young people have access to high-quality, low-cost, culturally competent health care.
Trinady Maddock, Senior Policy Associate
Trinady is the Policy Associate with the National Network for Youth. Prior to joining NN4Y, she worked as an associate with Council for a Strong America, a writer/editor for the U.S. Department of Education, and as a preschool teacher both in Virginia and her home state, Michigan. Trinady holds a Master of Arts in Education Policy from the George Washington University, where her research focused on child care subsidy, measuring quality in child care settings, and teacher retention. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Literature from Eastern Michigan University.
Tenisha Morrison, Youth Leadership & Policy Associate
Tenisha Morrison brings over 13 years of experience at the intersection of policy, youth leadership, and community engagement. She has spent that time advising nonprofits and government agencies on youth development and justice reform, designing programs, supporting youth leadership advisory boards, and ensuring young people’s voices are amplified.
As an advocate, Tenisha has spent her career bridging the space between grassroots communities and policy tables. Her work spans legislative advocacy, program implementation, and supporting landmark legislative campaigns.
Tenisha holds a Master of Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York. When she is not supporting young people in cultivating their leadership skills, she enjoys painting and exploring scenic trails on her bike.
Jennifer Queeley, Director of Revenue & Operations
Jennifer Queeley is a seasoned operations and HR leader with over 15 years of experience strengthening organizational systems, optimizing financial processes, and driving strategic growth across nonprofit and mission-focused environments. A New York native and graduate of York College, Jennifer has built a reputation for streamlining workflows, enhancing accountability, and creating sustainable structures that support long-term success.
Throughout her career, she has overseen complex financial operations, human resources functions, compliance management, and organizational development initiatives. Jennifer excels at improving internal processes, designing efficient operational frameworks, and fostering team collaboration. Her ability to bring clarity, structure, and strategic insight to fast-paced environments has made her a trusted partner to executives, staff, and stakeholders alike.
Jennifer is passionate about strategic planning, operational excellence, and building systems that help organizations expand their impact and revenue. With a strong commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, she consistently identifies opportunities to strengthen efficiency, stability, and growth.
Outside of her professional work, Jennifer is a devoted mother who finds inspiration in her close-knit family. She enjoys exploring creative projects and developing new ideas that allow her to make a meaningful and lasting impact.
William Woelki, Ph.D., Community Strategies Associate
William Woelki serves as the Community Strategies Associate for the National Network for Youth. His work is rooted in praxis, participatory approaches, and the belief that those most impacted by an issue should be at the forefront of designing and implementing solutions.
William is committed to ensuring that youth and young adults have the tools, strategies, and opportunities needed to lead, advocate, and create meaningful change within their communities. His background includes participatory action research, educational equity, youth leadership development, and systems-level advocacy.
William holds a B.A. in Biology and Child & Family Studies from Berea College, an M.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences with a concentration in Adolescent Development from the University of Delaware, and a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Delaware.
Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors are tremendous leaders who volunteer significant personal time and resources to enable the National Network to accomplish its goals. The board meets at least four times per year and at every meeting reviews the quarterly financial report. We are extremely grateful for the dedication of our Board of Directors.
In 2021, three youth with lived experience of homelessness and former NYAC members joined our Board of Directors. We believe in elevating the expertise of youth, starting within our own organization.
Alison Kear, Board Chair
Executive Director
Covenant House Alaska, Anchorage, AK
Alison moved to Alaska in 1994 and soon after discovered her purpose when she began supporting our at-risk youth at Covenant House Alaska (CHA). Her tenacity, ability to make connections and never take no for an answer propelled her to the position of Executive Director in 2012. Read more.
Rich Hooks Wayman, Vice Chair
President and CEO
Volunteers of America Northern New England, Portland, ME
Richard Hooks Wayman serves as the President and CEO for Volunteers of America Northern New England (www.voanne.org), a nonprofit organization offering affordable housing, residential treatment and community-based social services in Maine and New Hampshire. Read more.
Laurie Jackson Padilla, Secretary
President and CEO
National Safe Place, Louisville, KY
Laurie Jackson is the Executive Director for National Safe Place. She joined the organization in June 2010 and has been active with Safe Place for more than 15 years. She recently served as Associate Executive Director for Synergy Services, Inc. in Kansas City, Mo. Jackson was with Synergy Services, Inc. for 16 years and prior to that worked for several years with Cedars Youth Services in Lincoln, NE. She has been active with local, regional, state, and national efforts in the areas of runaway and homeless youth, child welfare and domestic violence.
Jeffrey Fetzko, Treasurer
Independent Consultant
Bridgewater, NJ
Jeffrey Fetzko is a real estate sales agent and non-profit consultant located in central New Jersey. He had served as an executive manager of non-profit child welfare agencies for more than thirty years. Mr. Fetzko was an adjunct professor at the Rutgers University School of Social Work from 1989 to 1993. Mr. Fetzko has a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from Rutgers University, is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW), and is a licensed social worker (LSW) in New Jersey. Read more.
Brennon Graham, Immediate Past Chair
Chief Executive Officer
Alexander Youth Network, Charlotte, NC
Brennon Graham currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Alexander Youth Network. He has enjoyed a human services career that spans more than 20 years serving at-risk youth in the areas of homelessness, mental health/behavioral health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities. Previous to his current job, Brennon served at The Relatives for over 11 years. Read more.
Leon T. Andrews Jr.
President and CEO
Equal Measure, Philadelphia, PA
Leon T. Andrews Jr. is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Equal Measure, which works to advance social change by partnering with foundations and nonprofits to apply new ways of thinking. Previously, Mr. Andrews served as the inaugural director for Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) at the National League of Cities and currently serves as chair of the board for the National Recreation and Parks Association. Read more.
Bonita Campbell
VP & Chief Operating Officer
Lighthouse Youth & Family Services, Cincinnati, OH
Bonita Campbell has served the community through Lighthouse for more than 30 years. She joined Lighthouse in 1991 as a Foster Parent Recruiter. Since then, she has served Lighthouse in many roles, including Director of Foster Care and Adoption, Division Director of Independent Living and Foster Care, Director of Youth Housing Opportunities, Senior Director of Homeless Youth Services, and most recently, Vice President of Homeless Youth Services. She was promoted to VP & Chief Operating Officer in September 2023. Ms. Campbell graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Science in Criminal Justice. Bonita is a Licensed Social Worker and Level 1 Trauma Practitioner.
Aja K. Ellington
Founder and CEO
Free Your Wings Youth Mentoring, Inc., South Bend, IN
Indiana University MSW graduate Aja K. Ellington is an award-winning progressive thinker that serves the South Bend, IN community as an exemplary Mental Health Professional who represents several organizations that are committed to the innovation, change, and solutions that decrease poverty and disrupt the mental health stigma. Aja is the founder and CEO of Free Your Wings Youth Mentoring, Inc. a community-based non-profit organization striving to break the barriers restricting the success and growth of youth living in poverty. Read more.
Fedora Galasso
Chief Executive Officer
Texas Network of Youth Services, Austin, TX
Fedora Galasso is the Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS), where she leads a statewide network advancing policy, practice, and partnerships to improve outcomes for Texas youth and young adults involved in systems. She previously served as Southern Regional Director for Young Invincibles, advancing economic opportunity for young adults nationwide. Fedora has extensive state government experience, having led innovative programs at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. She holds dual master’s degrees from the University of Texas at Austin in Public Affairs and Social work.
Arash Ghafoori
Executive Director
Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, Las Vegas, NV
Arash Ghafoori is the Executive Director of the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY), Southern Nevada’s most comprehensive service provider for homeless youth. Leveraging his diverse background in policy, academia, and the start-up and corporate worlds, Ghafoori has transformed NPHY into a community leader on issues affecting Southern Nevada’s homeless youth. Read more.
Melinda Giovengo
Harvard Fellow
Boston, MA
Dr. Melinda Giovengo holds a doctoral degree in Educational Psychology. Dr. Giovengo’s work has focused on the needs of young people who do not graduate from high school and youth experiencing homelessness. Melinda works tirelessly to develop programs and advance policies that prevent and end youth homelessness and human trafficking.
Joli Guenther, MSSW, LCSW
Executive Director
Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services, Greater Madison Area, WI
Joli Guenther, MSSW, LCSW, Executive Director, Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services has served young people and families through over twenty years of work in Runaway and Homeless Youth Services at the state and Federal levels. Read more.
Sparky Harlan
Retired President & CEO
Bill Wilson Center, Santa Clara, CA
Sparky Harlan was the CEO of Bill Wilson Center since 1983 and retired in March 2023 after 40 years as CEO. She is a nationally recognized leader in youth services and was honored by The White House as a Champion for Change in 2012. Sparky’s expertise includes working with runaway and homeless youth, foster youth, and youth involved with the justice system.
Pat Holterman-Hommes
Chief Executive Officer
Youth in Need, St. Charles, MO
In 2013, Ms. Holterman-Hommes became the fourth President and CEO of Youth In Need’s history. She has been a key staff member at Youth In Need since 1990, serving most recently as Chief Program Officer. She has extensive expertise in the areas of adolescent development and family therapy, child abuse, and neglect issues, positive youth development, and organizational development. Ms. Holterman-Hommes currently serves on the boards of the Missouri Coalition of Children’s Agencies, National Safe Place Network, and the Community Council of St. Charles County. She also represents the needs of vulnerable children and youth on various statewide committees, including the Children’s Services Coalition.
Jaclyn Pampel
Baker McKenzie
San Diego, CA
Jaclyn Pampel is a pro bono partner in Baker McKenzie Pro Bono Practice. Ms. Pampel’s work includes engaging in direct representation, impact litigation, policy, and advocacy work, building new legal resources, and addressing complex legal questions for the world, and leading non-profits, public policy institutions, and international NGOs. Prior to this, Ms. Pampel was a partner in the Firm Tax Practice Group and a member of the nationally recognized Tax Controversy sub practice. She has significant trial and leadership experience handling complex, multijurisdictional matters. She’s an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego, School of Law, as well as an instructor with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA).
Deborah Shore
Executive Director
Sasha Bruce Network, Washington, DC
Deborah Shore is the Executive Director and founder of Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY), which began in Washington, DC in 1974. She has been a leader in developing appropriate government and CBO initiatives to empower disenfranchised youth and families and she played a key role in the legislation creating the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. Read more.
