Ms. Charlotte, Case Manager, is passionate about women linking arms across cultural and economic divides to help one another. She believes that no woman should be hindered from the joy of finding Jesus like Mary Magdalene outside the empty tomb. Charlotte was born in the Bronx, attended middle school in Spanish Harlem, and High School on the West Side of Manhattan. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities: Philosophy and English Literature from Messiah College in Pennsylvania. While in college she studied abroad in Uganda, East Africa, and immersed herself in the highs and lows of culture shock while volunteering at a local orphanage. Back in the states she toured with the college’s United Voices of Praise in vastly different houses of worship and participated in service projects that facilitated the reconciliation of church and society. After graduation, she returned to the Bronx and worked with Manna of Life Ministries to benefit the homeless population of New York City. Currently, she serves as a deacon and Sunday School Teacher at the same church she was baptized in. 

“I am so grateful for this opportunity to work with Expect Hope as they bring the hope of a life with Jesus to the Bronx. The meek, the poor, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are being blessed here. There’s no telling what will come of the lives that are being saved, the strongholds that are being broken, and the lies that are being silenced. It’s a pleasure to witness these miracles and to work alongside God in His mission for my hometown.”

Ms. Viviana, House Manager, lives out her faith daily in a tangible way and is very transparent with her love for the Lord. She has abundant experience caring for children and elderly in various settings. She has been trained and certified as a NYC Foster Parent. She completed studies at Hostos Community College in 2016 and is a Certified Nursing Assistant with clinical experience at Bronx Lebanon Rehabilitation and experience as a receptionist at South Bronx Dialysis Center. Viviana has completed the Forgiven and Set Free and Making Life Disciples programs through the ministry Hope Again. They brought her spiritual healing and a deeper understanding of the value of life. Viviana is responsible, caring, and attentive with the gift to interact with people of all ages in a way that draws them out and makes them feel loved. She has attended multiple births and has decades of parenting experience. Viviana is a blessed mother to three children.

“I am so happy and grateful to God for this opportunity to serve mamas and babies! I am very excited about having a Christ-centered job. He is my everything and I am so glad that I get to pass on what He has given me to other women. What the program is doing for people in this community is so important and I am happy to be a part of it.”

Ms. Vilma, Resident Director, is a born and raised New Yorker who with her late husband decided to relocate to New Jersey two years after the birth of their son. While searching for a home church, she became a born again Christian and came across Cornerstone Church in Carlstadt, New Jersey where she is a member of twenty years and currently sits on the Board in addition of being their treasurer. She is heavily involved in several of the church’s ministries. One she particularly enjoys is the Nursery. Having these tender beings for two hours and to pray over them is such a joy and privilege for her. She has traveled to Nicaragua with her church to help missionaries cleanup, paint and make livable a facility where volunteers can come and stay while doing humanitarian work. She also enjoys Children’s Church where she can reach the little ones and hope that their grasp of the sermon propels them into the arms of the Almighty. Her church’s mission statement is dear to her heart – to know Him and make Him known. She has worked secularly for over 25 years and was recently led to actively seek a ministry where she could be more hands on and have  one-on-one relationships to order to mentor and share what God has done for her and her family throughout the years. She still resides in New Jersey with her adult son.

“I am able to get to know these women and share my experience, knowledge and testimony of what God has done for me. Mentoring these women and sharing in the lives of their children while they are in our care fills me with a sense of purpose, knowing that I am making a difference in a very tangible way. I have come to know Christ late in life and want them to know that it is never too late to start a relationship with our God. No matter where life has taken you, you can always find your way into the presence of our everlasting Father. This opportunity has given me a blessing that I can end well no matter how it all began. Beauty for ashes … In Luke 18:16 it says, ‘But Jesus called them to him, saying “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

Ms. Nicole, Resident Director, was born in Manhattan, New York and raised in Orlando, Florida before moving back to the City in the summer of 2021. She is passionate about bringing people together through creative expressions in dance, art, writing, music, movement, etc. Her heart is to restore or inspire hope and healing to people in need through creativity. Nicole is currently in intensive training at the Maggie Flannigan Studio as a professional actress. Over the last year and a half, Nicole has attended Life Center Church NYC- formerly known as JHOP (Justice House Of Prayer). She is currently involved in the children’s ministry at her church called Life Kids and serves at their Harvest outreach program of evangelism. Nicole spends her time praying over New York City for revival and an out pour of the Holy Spirit of God. It is important to her that the body of Christ be United so we can be reconciled to Jesus. Nicole believes in the togetherness of the church body as written in Ephesians 4: 4-6; “There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Together we can overcome because of the one who overcame. Nicole believes her expertise in spiritual warfare will benefit her work in Expect Hope because “we do not battle against flesh and blood but of principalities and rulers of darkness in the heavenly realms”, (Ephesians 6:12). She understands captives are to be set free. Her hope is not only salvation but deliverance for all. Peace that transcends understanding and a transformation by the renewal of your mind is important so you can enjoy the fruit of your salvation!

“I’m grateful to be able to serve in the important work set inside of this ministry. For every woman who enters Expect Hope to really know Jesus is the goal. He’s who brought me out of darkness and lit me up bright. He has opened doors no man can shut. He is the healer. Redeemer.“

Ms.Lesly, Advancement Coordinator, is originally from Miami and went to school at Florida State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs with a concentration in Anthropology. While in college she loved volunteering with organizations such as TECHO, the Salvation Army, and Camillus House where her love for serving others within her community continued to grow. She also led several Alternative Breaks trips to both Louisiana and Alabama, assisting with recovery and relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina and creating a service program for under-funded elementary schools. Additionally, she was actively involved with the organization “Christians on Campus” where her faith was strengthened and challenged daily as she shared the gospel with students within her campus and the surrounding cities.

After graduation she moved to New York City and worked as the Education Programs Intern within the Social Responsibility Program of the organization recruiting college students and, in the Marketing & Events team planning and hosting company events. Ms. Lesly is passionate about living a life of service and encouraging people to believe in the dream that God has placed in their hearts. She hopes that she can live out this passion by sharing Expect Hope’s mission and giving others the opportunity to contribute and have a positive impact that will affect generations to come.

“In every season of my life I have seen the Lord’s faithfulness in providing both spiritually and physically. My desire in this role is to be actively involved in sharing the message of life and continue to spread the message of the wonderful work this organization is doing so that we can reach more mamas in need and share the love of Christ every day.”

Ms.Jillian, Intern, was born and raised in Northern New Jersey but has always had a passion for the people of New York City. She is currently a student at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where she is studying Human Services. She has volunteered with her churches in Chicago and New Jersey in both the youth ministry and children’s ministry. She has also done many service projects and gone on several mission trips. She has a heart for service and loving people. After graduation, she hopes to move back to the New Jersey/New York area and serve in the Social Work field. She is excited to see all that God does this summer during her time at Expect Hope.