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 has dedicated her career to changing policies and transforming systems to improve outcomes for young people and families who experience homelessness, poverty, violence, and exploitation.
Giving young people a voice. That is what drives Yorri Berry in all facets of her work. As the NN4Y Director of Youth Partnerships, Yorri has worked to build the National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC) into a formidable force for youth. With increased geographic and demographic diversity, Yorri has positioned the NYAC to influence policy on a national and local level.
Emlyn Bertsche is the Director of Strategic Partnerships for NN4Y. She has over 15 years of fund development, strategy, marketing and management experience within a variety of nonprofits both national and international.
Eddie Barbosa, Membership and Administrative Manager
Eddie Barbosa is NN4Y’s Membership and Administrative Manager with ten years of experience with local government and nonprofit leadership. Eddie has a passion for helping others. Before joining NN4Y, he worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an Assistant Court Service Coordinator. Eddie earned his BS in City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning from the University of Massachusetts. As an Administrative Coordinator with NN4Y, Eddie looks forward to supporting and contributing to the important mission of ending Youth Homelessness.
Barbara Huggins, Community Strategies Associate
Barbara Huggins, a Pennsylvania native, is joining National Network for Youth’s Community Strategies Associate. Her most recent work brought her to the world of housing through Self-Determination Housing of Pennsylvania, a program of Inglis Community Services. She has her B.A. in Sociology, has a lot of experience in advocacy, constituent engagement, organizational effectiveness, technical assistance and project management. One of the elements of her life that she is most grateful and proud of is her big beautiful blended family. She has found the love and support of so many individuals in her life, she feels as though anything is possible. She loves spending time with her Husband, Son and dog, Jackson.
Heather Lavoie, Policy Associate
Heather joined the National Network for Youth in 2023 as Policy Associate. After graduating with her degree in Public Health in 2019, her passion for economic justice led her to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA. She has spent the last three years researching public policy solutions, working on strategic communications for progressive advocacy organizations, and empowering community members to become more civically engaged.
She believes that housing is a human right and looks forward to fighting to ensure all youth and young adults have a safe place to call home and the resources they need to thrive.
In her free time, she enjoys finding new coffee shops, traveling, and hiking.