ABOUT US
FOUNDER/PRESIDENT
Maria A. Prado, Chaplin, MPA, BA
President/Founder/ED
Maria A. Prado is the Founder and Executive Director. Her personal experiences with incarceration, homelessness, domestic violence, and witnessing her community become HIV-positive; give her a unique perspective. Moreover, she spent over 20 years (1987-2008) under the streets of NYC as a female "Mole Person" where she experienced the firsthand reluctance of women to seek traditional shelter systems. Her direct exposure is why, in part, her determination is so strong. Maria's passion is to help the underserved, to this, she knew she had to get an education in the Human Services field. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts with a minor in Criminal Justice from the College of New Rochelle and a master’s degree in Public Administration at the Metropolitan College of New York. She accomplished this while working at non-profit organizations for several years in the crisis arena. She worked with at-risk youth, individuals with substance abuse/mental health issues, and People Living With HIV/AIDS (Adults). During college Maria interned with the National Action Network (NAN) she is also an active member of JLUSA (JustLeadershipUSA) an organization formed to help cut the correctional population in half by 2030. Maria is also a dedicated member of L.A.C.A (Latin African American Chaplains Association) where she provides spiritual support for those in need in all arenas and life areas. Maria is also the proud reporting secretary for the Williamsbridge Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (NANBPWC). Maria has volunteered at both St. Vincent’s (cardiology and billing department) and Lincoln Hospitals (Human Resources) in the past.
There are 4,664 sheltered/domiciled homeless women in NYC.: (NYC Coalition for the Homeless, Feb, 2019) however, this data does not account for the uncounted/undomiciled women living on the street. Moreover, homeless undomiciled females have a higher HIV prevalence and suffer from mental health disorders at a higher rate than their sheltered counterparts. Maria's passion is to help the underserved.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We pride ourselves on a rigorous selection process. We look for those that have either worked for a similar cause in the past or that genuinely feels emotionally engaged with the PTF's mission. Since our board members govern our entire organization, it is important that they have enough experience to make wise choices, but also to be seen by others as credible. They also need to lead by example through respect and inspirational collaboration.
Allen Dotson
Vice Chair and Director
Allen was born and raised in NYC, one of eight children spending his formative years in the city Projects. Allen attended Louis D. Brandeis HS in Manhattan, followed by his acceptance at the SUNY at Binghamton NY. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with a minor in Business. Upon graduation, he immediately enrolled at John Jay College of Criminal Justice where he earned his Master of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. Shortly thereafter, he attended Concord School of Law an online Law School program based out of California. He subsequently left the school to seriously pursue a career in Law Enforcement. He worked for a host of Law Enforcement agencies covering a span of over 40 years. Mr. Dotson has served as a NYC Police Officer, Corrections Investigator with the NYCDOC, U.S. Probation/Parole Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office assigned to the Civil Rights division as an Investigator, Directorship of two Alternative to Incarceration programs and concluding his Public Service career as a College Professor of Criminal Justice at two local colleges, a position he has enjoyed and continues to serve for nearly thirty years. PTF Board member since 2014.
Cynthia S. Patterson-Winston
Trustee/Director
Cynthia has been a resident of New York City. She has worked at Jericho House for decades as Human Resources Director, she dedicates herself to the Human Services arena helping individuals navigate their lives. Currently, she works with NACIA in spearheading the workforce development department.
Gina C. Williams
Trustee/Director of Government Affairs
Gina is a resident of New York City; she has applied her human services skills from advocacy to assisting the public advocate today. She dedicates her life to helping those in need through networking with other City officials and arenas.
Alice De La Cruz
Treasurer
Alice has been a resident of the Bronx. Alice owns, Diesel Tax/Multi-Service, has 22 years of experience, and is working towards her CPA. She has dedicated herself to helping individuals of the Bronx with business building and tax services. She attended PACE University transferring her credits to Bronx Community College where she obtained her associate in science and accounting. Also obtained a Bachelor of Science/Accounting and a Master of Science, and Secondary Education/Mathematics. She enjoys being able to assist individuals who are struggling and commits to helping everyone. PTF Board member since 2016.
Gina O'Connor
Secretary
Gina believes in the mission of the PTF and dedicates herself to the organization. A supporter of the mission. She brings years of documentation and skills to the table as a former Secretary of OES. As well as other duties needed for the success of the PTF.
ADVISORY BOARD
Lawrence J. Silberman, P.C. (temp)
Legal Advisor
Lawrence is an attorney and registered with the state, Unified Court System, Office of Court Administration, admitted in 1991 and a fighter for justice. It's said that he is one of the most seasoned landlord-tenant Attorneys known in NYC. Dedicated to the City for over 30+ years. A graduate of Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.
Maria (Sam) Josepher
Director of Program Development
Maria has over 30 years of experience in the design, development, implementation, and monitoring of peer support and recovery community services for substance users with HIV/AIDS, mental illness, forensic populations, adolescents involved in juvenile justice, and LGBTQ at-risk youth. Co-founder of Exponents, Inc., she designed the ARRIVE Training Program, a SAMHSA Tip 44 promising practice for drug users at risk for HIV and on parole. In her tenure as Deputy Executive Director of the agency, Ms. Josepher developed wellness and self-care programs, intensive case management, recovery readiness, transitional case management and re-entry services for releasees of Rikers Island, life skills and communications programming for peer outreach workers, implemented evidence-based community interventions, and outpatient medically supervised services for special populations with mental and physical co-morbidities and oversaw the design of the Re-Entry conference (funded by Open Society Foundation) for recently released parolees. As the principal grant writer, Sam developed $35 million in revenue over 20 years. Sam has a BS in Biology and received an MPA in Public Administration from Baruch School of Public Affairs Executive Program in 2005.
Ricardo Shark
Advisor
Ricardo is a long-standing resident of Harlem who dedicates his life to the community. He devotes his time to working with ministries, NPOs, and youth services as a minister. He has served as a Community Liaison Coordinator for the NYC Mayor's Office of Community Affairs. He is strategic in spearheading non-profits and businesses forward by developing communication via his consultation and contacts.
Pamela M Junior
Advisor
Pamela learned at a very early age the importance of community involvement. In the 1990s, Pamela became actively involved in Bedford Stuyvesant community affairs and began attending monthly community meetings at Community Board No. 3 and at the 81st Precinct. In 1996, she was appointed to Community Planning Board No. 3 by then Borough President Howard Golden. During her tenure as Economic Development Chairperson of the Board, Pamela accomplished many initiatives including, spearheading the 197a Plan for Bedford Stuyvesant and collaborating with health/hospital staff, churches, tenants’ associations, community activists, block associations, and Pratt Institute and solicited to help to raise over $250,000 to fund the 197a Plan, and forged relationships between the Community Planning Board and various New York City agencies in an effort to build the commercial corridors in Bedford Stuyvesant. Pamela is the recipient of a Congressional Record from the Honorable Congressman Edolphus Towns, the recipient of the Thomas Fortune Award, an honor bestowed upon her by the Unity Democratic Club and has been presented by Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes with an Extraordinary Women of Brooklyn Award.