Project Hope Counselors
Debbie Lewis-Vann is a Crisis Counselor with NY Project Hope at Independent Living, Inc. She is compassionate about Mind and Body well-being and has over 15 years providing health wellness education in clinical and community settings. A graduate of Fordham University, Debbie earned her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics Nutrition Science with a minor in Natural Sciences and her advance education in Counseling Studies with an emphasis in Human Behavior from Capella University. Currently, she is pursuing her second Master in Mental Health Counseling at Nyack Alliance Graduate School of Counseling. Debbie is committed to advocating for Equity Health for all while decreasing health disparities and bringing awareness to beauty from inside out. Her role as a Project Hope Crisis Counselor adds to her wealth of eclectic experiences in empowering, building, and promoting resilience in individuals. In her spare, Debbie enjoys spending time with her husband of 15 years, son, daughter, and her father. She enjoys designing floral arrangements, sewing, hiking, reading, cooking different cultural foods, and listening to music.
Noelia Vazquez is a Crisis Counselor at Project Hope @ Independent Living Inc. She is a Binghamton University Graduate who double majored in Latin American/Caribbean Area Studies and Sociology. Noelia values the importance of human contact and compassion and so she loves being social and getting to know people on a deeper level. She wishes to build lasting connections with both her team and the surrounding community during her time working with Project Hope. Noelia realizes that Covid has altered the lives of everyone in one way or another, and wishes to do all that she can to provide those impacted with support and kindness. She hopes to apply this personal drive to a law career in which she will be able to represent the rights of those who historically have had less of a voice. In her free time, she enjoys practicing art, from painting to singing. She has embraced this side of her more this past year in an effort to achieve a little self-care and hopes to continue learning about her creative side. She very much looks forward to her time at Project Hope and is excited to leave a lasting impact on the very important work this team is involved with.
Jo Sepulveda is a part-time Crisis Counselor with NY Project Hope at Independent Living, Inc. In addition to currently serving as a Crisis Counselor, she’s Assistant Coordinator at Independent Living’s Family Services department which provides respite services to those with developmental disabilities. Jo understands what New Yorker’s are going through due to the changes brought on by Covid-19, and her goal as a Project Hope Crisis Counselor to foster hope, healing, and positivity to those individuals suffering.
In her spare time, Jo enjoys time with her family. She also enjoys traveling, cooking, dance, music, and spending time outdoors.
Katherine Hendrickson is a Crisis Counselor for NY Project Hope @ Independent Living Inc. She graduated from Orange County Community College with an Associates in Science that focused on Human Services. Katherine has always had a willingness to help others from her personal experiences and knowledge of counseling skills. Katherine plans on continuing her education and obtaining a master’s degree in psychology.
Katherine practices self-care by enjoying activities such as exercising at the gym, deep breathing exercises, socializing, and being outdoors. She loves being involved with her family and helping out her brother with a developmental disability. Katherine is outgoing and loves going on adventures. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and going to the beach. Katherine thinks that people should always follow their dreams no matter what and not look back.
Maisha Ahmed is a Project Hope Crisis Counselor at Independent Living, Inc. She graduated from Stony Brook University with a bachelors in psychology and sociology. In the future, she aspires to earn her PhD in clinical psychology and continue to find ways to bring more awareness to the mental health field. In her free time, Maisha enjoys reading, learning new subjects such as coding, and spending time with her family and friends.
Lisa Pontorero is the Crisis Counselor Team Leader for Project Hope @ Independent Living Inc. She graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a focus in Psychology and Social Work. Lisa then moved on to earn her Master’s Degree of Arts in School Counseling at Argosy University. Lisa has always been passionate about helping others by using her knowledge and experience of Human Development and Counseling skills. Lisa plans to continue her education by pursuing another Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling or a PhD in Psychology. Lisa would like to one day have her own Private Practice and expand as a service provider. Lisa enjoys taking care of herself by practicing mindfulness activities such as meditating and yoga sessions as well as keeping fit by attending the gym regularly. She stimulates her mind by reading a variety of novels and educational books, often including the Scripture in her reading habits for spiritual evolvement. She enjoys spending time with loved ones, being outdoors, gardening, cooking, camping, traveling, swimming, she loves animals, adores children, and participates in healthy lifestyle activities. Lisa believes that it is important to do what makes you happy without comparing yourself to others. Comparison is the theft of Joy… and Joy is the key to a meaningful and fulfilling life.