PROGRAM DIRECTORS

Housing Services
Barbara Bento-Fleming possesses both a Bachelors' Degree in Education as well as years of experience in the field of Human Services. During her career, while progressively increasing her responsibilities, she has provided direct services to the administration of multiple government contracts. And, through Ford Foundation funding, she served as a transitional housing consultant to non-profit community agencies in Connecticut, New Jersey, Michigan and Massachusetts.

Barbara has dedicated many years to the development of housing programs and services for special-needs populations. These have included the working poor, homeless individuals and families, recovering substance abusers, chronically mentally ill ex-offenders, pregnant and parenting teenagers and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Phone: (914) 949-0925  x 9726
e-mail: bbento-fleming@gracecommunitycenter.org

Neighbors Home Care Services
Lesma Howard Zepeda joined GCCC in 1986 as Assistant Director before becoming Director of the Neighbors Program. Drawing upon her long record of experience in the fields of health care and management, Lesma has been instrumental in making the Neighbors Program what it is today. Under her leadership, the program became licensed by the NYS Department of Health, assumed a more aggressive role as advocate for the elderly and applied for Medicaid approval. Prior to her work at the Neighbors Program, she was Director of GCCC's Daily Bread and Soup Kitchen programs. Additionally, Lesma has acted as Executive Director of GCCC on two separate occasions.

Phone: (914) 949-3112 x 9743
e-mail: elderneeds@aol.com

Open Arms
Charlie Bevier joined Grace Church Community Center in 1988.  As Director of Shelter Outreach and Homeless Services, Charlie is responsible for overall administration, program development and delivery of services to residents and clients of the 38-bed Open Arms Men’s Shelter, the 19-bed Samaritan House Women’s Shelter and the homeless outreach services division.  Prior to his directorship, Mr. Bevier held the position of Deputy Director of Shelter Services at Open Arms. Charlie has over 23 years of experience in human services, with expertise in substance abuse and mental illness. He was recognized by the National Council on Alcoholism for his work with the homeless population in Westchester County. Charlie has successfully established relationships with key State and Federal regulatory funding agencies, including the Westchester County Department of Social Services.

Phone: (914) 948-5044 x 9511
e-mail: CharlieBevier@gcccares.org

Rainbow Outreach
Ada Raiford has been employed by Grace Church Community Center for 18 years, and for the past seven years, as a Shift Supervisor/Senior Client Care worker at the Open Arms men's shelter. Ada has many years of Social Service training in substance abuse, mental health, crisis intervention, case management documentation and non-profit time management. As Director of our Drop-In Center, Ada draws upon her extensive background as a volunteer with developmentally disabled individuals.|

Phone: (914) 948-5044 x 9512
e-mail: adarai@msn.com

Samaritan House
Deborah Williams assumed the role of Assistant Director at Samaritan House in 2008 after working as a client care worker at GCCC’s Open Arms men’s shelter for two years.  In 2011, in Ms. Williams was also given responsibility for supervising the GCCC Soup Kitchen.  Prior to joining GCCC, Ms. Williams worked as a homeless outreach case manager at Human Development Services (HDSW) in Mamaroneck where she provided community outreach and conducted mental health screening.  Ms. Williams has a B.A. from the College of New Rochelle and is currently working towards a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Phone: (914) 948-3075
e-mail: DWilliams@gcccares.org

Soup Kitchen
Deborah Williams assumed the role of Assistant Director at Samaritan House in 2008 after working as a client care worker at GCCC’s Open Arms men’s shelter for two years.  In 2011, in Ms. Williams was also given responsibility for supervising the GCCC Soup Kitchen.  Prior to joining GCCC, Ms. Williams worked as a homeless outreach case manager at Human Development Services (HDSW) in Mamaroneck where she provided community outreach and conducted mental health screening.  Ms. Williams has a B.A. from the College of New Rochelle and is currently working towards a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Phone: (914) 948-3075
e-mail: DWilliams@gcccares.org

Summer Day Camp and Mentoring Programs
Eileen Torres is a certified Social Worker (LCSW) who has practiced in the Yonkers School System for over 20 years. She has coached basketball and softball in the Yonkers and Mamaroneck (NY) school systems and is active in Special Olympics. Eileen has been Director of the Summer Day Camp program since 1992 and Director of the After-School Mentoring Program since 2002.

Phone: (914) 420-6265
e-mail: etpepsi@hotmail.com