Our Team
Amy Ashenfelter, Clinical Consultant
Amy Ashenfelter has been working with Allies in Caring since January 2015, she serves as a clinical consultant and is also a Master level therapist. She holds a master’s in counseling and applied psychology from Rowan University and a certificate from Drexel University in applied behavior analysis and is currently pursuing BCBA certification. She has 3 soon to be step-children. Her favorite part about working for Allies in Caring is “The rapport I’ve built with the other clinicians, the opportunity to support them by processing cases, and interacting with all of my families.”
Itzel Saldaña, Employee Relations & Compliance Specialist
Itzel Saldaña has been with Allies in Caring since October of 2018, she serves as the Connector Liaison. She currently attends Stockton University and is expecting to complete her bachelor’s degree by Spring 2020. She is majoring in Anthropology and Sociology while minoring in Migration Studies. After graduating she hopes to continue to help the Latino community and keep her focus on immigration rights. When asked what's her favorite part about working at Allies in Caring is, she said “Knowing that I form part of an organization that cares about the Latino community.”
Daniela Avila, Community Engagement Assistant
Daniela was born in Moroleon Guanajuato, Mexico. She came to the United States when she was two years old. Seeing both of her parents struggle to communicate in a different language had always made her cherish her Spanish and learn English enough to help her parents.
From Kindergarten until third grade, she was placed in ESL classes to learn English. It would sometimes be hard for her to comprehend half of what was going on in the class, but she would always have the thought of being there for her parents, which would always get her through the classes. She was always their translator. She helped them make doctors' appointments, helped them fill out school papers, and read letters that came in the mail.
She graduated from Hammonton High school in 2020 when the pandemic had just hit. It wasn't the best senior year, but she was glad to have graduated. In high school, she passed the New Jersey state test for being bilingual and got certified to speak both Spanish and English.
Her favorite part of working at Allies in Caring is helping many more Hispanics that need help, just like her parents did. Being able to help and assist the community is more than just a job to her. She believes working at Allies in Caring will allow her to change people's lives.
Melinda Pal Lifango, Finance Specialist
Melinda is an accountant/financial analyst with four years of professional experience. Melinda joined Allies in Caring in June 2020. She graduated from Rowan University with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 2016. Melinda keeps accurate records and reconciles accounts for our organization. She manages day-to-day financial transactions associated with AIC. She grew up in Hungary and came to the United States 10 years ago. Melinda speaks English and Hungarian. Work-Life balance is essential to her. She is inspired daily by her husband and her babies. In her free time, she loves being outdoors, horseback riding, arts and crafts, taking trips with her family, cooking with her husband, and entertaining friends and family.
When asked what's her favorite part about working at Allies in Caring is, she said "I love the flexibility of the job and to have work-life balance; at the same time, it's also exciting and challenging. The colleagues and management are very welcoming, understanding, positive, and easy to work with. "
Copelia Morales, Con-Vivir Community Relations Manager
Copelia grew up in Hammonton. She has worked as a volunteer for the Migrant Worker Outreach of South Jersey for seven years and currently runs a nutritional program for migrant pregnant women and young kids. She is also a Hammonton Health Coalition Coordinator, and she is part of the Hammonton Heart and Soul initiative. She attended school for phlebotomy and to become a medical assistant. Her passion has always been to help others. She is currently attending school. Copelia loves interacting with people and getting to know the community better. She strives to achieve a healthier Hispanic community, one that can be more comfortable getting involved with other groups and cultures. She joined Allies in caring as our Community Relations Manager to identify, assess, and coordinate community engagement opportunities.
When asked what's her favorite part about working at Allies in Caring, she said "My favorite part about working for AIC is that I get to do what I love helping people and bringing resources to those who don't know them. Being able to help someone and encourage them to reach their goals is essential to me."
Casandra Arocho, In-Home Program Manager
Casandra Arocho had previously worked for Allies in Caring from 2014 to 2019. She served as the Finance Manager. Casandra has returned to Allies in Caring as the in-home service manager. She completed her associate degree in Criminal Justice at the Atlantic Cape Community College.
Casandra is a mother to twins. She has lived in Hammonton for 16 years and loves to be part of the Latino community. Her passion has always been to help others.
When asked what's her favorite part about working at Allies in Caring, she said "What I love about working for Allies in Caring is the opportunity to assist the Latino community."
Joseline Rodriguez, Workforce Development Specialist.
Joseline Rodriguez has been with Allies in Caring since August 2023. Joseline is our Workforce Development Specialist. She has over six years of experience working in the employment field. Joseline worked with clients in drug rehabilitation centers, refugees, inmates, high school students, and people with special needs to seek employment.
She will be working on our apprenticeship programs at Allies in Caring. She will assist community members interested in becoming Community Health Workers or Behavior Health Aides.
Joseline will also be available to members to assist with employment needs. One of her favorite things to do outside work is go shopping and eat pho.
Diana Mendez, PR and Communications Manager
Diana is originally from Colombia. She completed her Master in Business Administration at the University of Texas at El Paso, and moved to New Jersey 8 years ago, where she lives with her husband and kids.
Diana helps organizations to deliver unique content experiences and to connect with their communities authentically. She designs, implements, and evaluates Allies in Caring communications and digital marketing strategy. Diana is a self-motivated leader, passionate about creating social change, with diverse experiences, including public administration, event planning, and community engagement.
She has strong cultural competency, and she has experience working with Latinx and Spanish-speaking communities. Diana is Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Interns
Le’Tisha Badger, Student Intern
Le’Tisha Badger has been a Student Intern at Allies in Caring since 2022. Le’Tisha is pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work and would eventually like to become a licensed therapist to provide counseling and enter the field of academia by becoming a professor at a college.
Le’Tisha is passionate about self-care and helping people understand, recognize and participate in self-care on many levels. Le’Tisha hopes to start her own self-care company one day soon.
Le’Tisha is also a certified Zumba Instructor and enjoys CrossFit, powerlifting, and writing poetry.
Le’Tisha has recently adopted the ideology that one must consistently pour into themselves so that they are able to pour into others.
Elizabeth Morales, Student Intern
Elizabeth Morales is a student intern for Allies in Caring. Her personal goal is to provide for her family. Her professional goal is to serve the Latin/ Hispanic community in all ways, shapes, or forms. Elizabeth would also like to influence the culture of the Social Work profession and would like to one day teach future social work students.
Elizabeth's most relevant achievements are graduating from the undergraduate social work program at Rutgers University and attaining a job that consists of the population of Autism spectrum adults. In addition, Elizabeth's hobbies and skills are being physically active and walking her dog.
Elizabeth's philosophy comes from a Christian background; although not a consistent member or attendant, Elizabeth still cherishes the values her mother implemented in her as a child.
Heather Jarvis, Student Intern
A dedicated student from Walden University, she is set to graduate in November 2023 with a Bachelor's in Social Work. But her educational journey doesn't stop there. This spring, she'll be diving deeper into her passion by pursuing a Master's in Professional Sexual Health. Her ultimate goal? To become an AASECT certified sex therapist, specializing in serving the LGBTQIA+ community.
What stands out for her at Allies? It's the unwavering support and collaboration she experiences from the entire team. She's deeply inspired by everyone's shared mission: making the community a better, more inclusive place. And she believes that this collective commitment truly shines through in the work we do.