Carolina Frias

Director of Human Resource 

Mrs. Frias is the HR Manager of Centro de Apoyo Familiar, providing employees with a full range of support from employee relations, compensation and benefits to policy development and performance management. Mrs. Frias also has excellent experience in the Recruitment & Hiring process.  Mrs. Frias earned her Bachelor Degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2007.

Mrs. Frias also brings over 5 years of extensive background in the human service area and organizational management.  Prior to joining CAF on November 2007, Mrs. Frias worked for the Department of Social Services as a Social Worker.  Having learned to engage and participate in many areas of the Social Worker field, Mrs. Frias brings profound knowledge of organizational management and family services.   
 

Johanna Ortiz

Finance Director 

Ms. Ortiz is currently the Finance Director in Centro de Apoyo Familiar. Ms. Ortiz is responsible for maintaining and closing the consolidated books on a monthly basis and delivering consolidated financial statements that are in compliance with CAF.  Proposes and implements improvements in accounting and reporting systems along with internal controls to facilitate accurate and timely reporting.  She also assists with ongoing compliance efforts. Ms. Ortiz also brings a profound background in the accounting field since 2002. Ms. Ortiz is also a highly motivated Staff Accountant professional with a verifiable record of accomplishment spanning five years. Highly creative, recognized as a results-oriented and solution-focused individual. Ms. Ortiz has earned a Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Hesser College.  
 

 Gisela Vasquez

Family and Wealth-Building Program Manager 
 

Gisela  Vasquez is currently the Family and Wealth-Building Program Manager in Centro de Apoyo Familiar in the Lawrence MA office. Ms. Vaquez is responsible for providing housing counseling services to low income families as well as to oversee the Assets and Wealth-Building Program. Ms. Vasquez is an avocate for families in danger of loosing their homes due to foreclosure. Ms. Vasquez

provides guidance and counseling in the area of financial literacy. Ms. Vaquez has received training from NeighborWorks in the area of Foreclosure Prevention and is now a certified Housing Counselor. Ms. Vasquez has over seven years of customer service experience. Ms. Vasquez worked in The Psychological Center in Lawrence MA as a rehab counselor. Ms. Vasquez organized concentration groups depending on the patience need. She provided one-on-one counseling to the patience to help them achieve weekly goals.  
 

 Elsy Garcia 

Wealth-Building Program Manager  
 
Elsy Garcia is currently the Wealth-Building Program Manager at Centro de Apoyo Familiar, where she oversees the foreclosure prevention and homeownership program for the Maryland office. Mrs. Garcia brings over 15 years of leadership experience working with the faith based community in metropolitan Washington DC area. Mrs. Garcia joined CAF's effort in 2006 as a member of the advisory board and joined CAF as a staff in October of 2009. Mrs. Garcia has received a number of certifications in the field of Leadership development, Family Strengthening and Foreclosure Prevention and Mitigation. 
 

Candy J. Melo

Director of the Faith Base and Community Initiative 

Candy J. Melo is currently the Director of the Faith Base and Community Initiative at Centro de Apoyo Familiar in the Lawrence MA office. Miss Melo organizes by weekly meetings with key pastors from the Lawrence community, along with them she develops a strategic plan to help them meet the needs of their congregation. Miss Melo is also working as a Housing Counselor, she joins the organizations efforts to help prevent foreclosure. Miss. Melo has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Spanish from Salem State College. She completed her degree on May 2008. Miss Melo has an extensive experience in customer service and has been involved in her church ministry for over ten years. In 2008 Miss Melo worked as a Spanish Elementary Teacher in Lowell Community Charter School.  
 
 

Yicaury Melo

Event and Marketing Coordinator  
 

Yicaury Melo is currently the Event and Marketing Coordinator for Centro de Apoyo Familiar (CAF). Miss Melo responsibilities range from creating and distributing marketing materials to organizing housing fairs in the Massachusetts and the Washington DC metro area. Miss Melo has 5 years of experience in the marketing field. While in college she was involved with student’s organizations and assisted them by organizing their marketing campaigns. Miss Melo graduated from Gordon College in May of 2009 and received her B.A. in Communication Arts with a concentration in Film production, which she hopes to put to use for CAF in the future. Miss Melo joined the CAF team in 2009 as a volunteer and became part of the staff in 2010. 

Bahana Jimenez

Network Coordinator 
 

Bahana has joined Centro de Apoyo Familiar (CAF) on May 2009. Since May 2009, Mrs. Jimenez has been an instrument to CAF as a Network Coordinator. Mrs. Jimenez develops database system with available community resources and in the creation and execution of local network development plan to assure network adequacy. Mrs. Jimenez brings an extensive background in the administration and organizational skills area for a total of 9 years. Mrs. Jimenez’s experiences derived from being employed at Northeast Nephrology (Methuen, MA), Option One Mortgage (Andover, MA), and Brinks (Lawrence, MA).  Mrs. Jimenez has also worked in Comprehensive Phase One in Fort Myers, FL for 2 years as a Recruiting Manager.

Yudelka Acosta

Deputy Director 
 

Mrs. Acosta joined CAF in 2009 and is now the Deputy Director of Centro de Apoyo Familiar.  Mrs. Acosta assists the Executive Director and President in the expansion of the organization's mission and provides strategic direction in support of the organization's goals. Along with Executive Director, Mrs. Acosta also oversees and manages programs at the Lawrence MA site. She also brings over 6 years of experience, including leadership, at a very well known payroll company where she escalated to many different positions.  Mrs. Acosta earned her Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Hesser College in 2004.