LifeTies Staff
Lori Morris
Executive Director
Lori Morris
Dr. Morris joined LifeTies as its first Executive Director in July, 2017. She provides oversight to all operations, program development, fund development, new initiatives, program evaluation and development of community partnerships. She has over 20 years of experience working on issues surrounding vulnerable youth involved with the child welfare system. Prior to joining LifeTies, Dr. Morris was co-founder and the first Executive Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Mercer County, Inc. which was established in 2000. In 2011, CASA of Burlington and CASA of Mercer Counties merged and Dr. Morris was the director of both programs. After leaving her position in February, 2016, she moved on to two consecutive Interim Executive Director posts at CASA of Union County and Bergen County CASA to assist them with organizational transitions. Prior to her work at CASA, Dr. Morris worked as a Research Scientist at Educational Testing Service, and consulted with Princeton University Center for Arts and Cultural Policy and the NJ Administrative Office of the Courts. She is co-chair of the Mercer County Youth Homeless committee and has been appointed to the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect Staffing and Oversight Review Subcommittee. Additionally, she serves on the Mercer County Continuum of Care Executive Committee, CEASE Oversight Committee, and Mercer County Youth Services Commission.
Vivian Harmon M.Ed., MSW, LSW
Director of Group Home Services
Vivian Harmon M.Ed., MSW, LSW
Vivian D. Harmon is a New Jersey Licensed Social Worker and Certified School Social Worker with 16 years of diligent service to youth, adults and families. Vivian has extensive experience in various settings including: adolescent residential care, secondary and higher education student services, Intensive in Community Counseling, and the criminal courts. She has committed her education and career to empowering youth and families through education, trauma-informed and strengths based practices, advocacy, and civic engagement. She received 2 degrees from Rutgers University- B.A. in Political Science- Douglass College in 2001, MSW- Graduate School of Social Work in 2009. She also holds a M.Ed. in Instructional Technology. It is Vivian’s personal philosophy that every individual has the ability to attain greatness in all its forms. In order to achieve this greatness, it requires 3 basic things: a desire for greatness, the tenacity for the journey, and the unwavering support of committed persons. She has instilled this in her adult children, a niece and a nephew that she’s raised since they were young children; and the youth that she has committed her life to serving every day. Vivian currently serves as the Director of Group Homes for the LifeTies, Inc. Rainbow and Triad Houses.
Robin Wilkins, MSW
Director of Housing and Mentoring Services
Robin Wilkins, MSW
Robin Wilkins, native born to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has a wealth of knowledge and experience working with individuals and families who have experienced homelessness. She joined the LifeTies’ family in May 2006, as the Program Director of the agency’s first housing program, called Mary’s Place designated to serve youth ages 18-21 impacted by homelessnessor transitioning from the Child Welfare System. In May 2013, Robin also became the Program Director of our T.I.L.T. Program, which is Teenage Independent Living Training, a program designed to provide skills needed to transition into adulthood such as money management, budgeting, career planning, education planning, health and wellness, and community resources, etc. The mission of the T.I.L.T. program as of 2015 includes providing mentors to our youth, matching them with life-long caring adults to be a friend, a resource and a positive role model in the lives of the youth served. Robin is passionate about the needs and goals of consumers and provides them with much-needed support. She specializes in providing youth the necessary skills and housing resources to attain healthy and productive lives. In her, spare time; Robin enjoys being with family and friends, and spending time with her fiancé. She also enjoys listening to music, playing the drums and organizing youth-driven, fun-filled activities with the youth ministry at her local church.
Madeline Cauthen-Lloyd
Coordinator of Residential Services
Madeline Cauthen-Lloyd
Madeline Cauthen-Lloyd is the proud mother of 3 amazing children; Khyir, KhyAsia and Makaya. In addition to being a proud mother, she has committed 14 years of her career in service to youth and families. She served diligently as Head of Security and Discipline for Emily Fisher Charter Middle School. She received her certification as a Medical Administrative Assistant and Medical Billing and Coding from the National Healthcare Association in 2013. Madeline has given 4 years of dedicated service to the youth of the LifeTies, Inc. Rainbow and Triad Houses as the Medical Liaison and Coordinator of Residential Services. In this role she demonstrates stellar leadership in supervising a team of 20 residential support staff; and provides a invaluable service to both homes. Madeline is a woman of integrity and Christian character who brings passion, great leadership, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the LifeTies, Inc. family.
Teresa "Teri" Triano-Davis
Mentor Coordinator
Teresa "Teri" Triano-Davis
Teri Triano-Davis is originally from Newark, NJ. She attended Kean University and the New School for Social Research. Her career has been spent advocating and educating children and families. She has a background that includes research in neurological disorders. Teri worked for 19 years as a Senior Probation Officer in Essex County where she had experience in several aspects of this department including investigations and direct supervision of adults and juveniles. After leaving that position to care for her family, she was employed as a teacher for 8 years. Wanting to re-enter social services again, Teri joined CASA of Mercer and Burlington Counties as a Case Supervisor training and supervising advocates for 8 years. While there she worked with the Gang Task Force, as well as the Adoption Day Committee. Teri came to LifeTies in January 2018, to assume the position of Mentor Coordinator. Teri is the mother of three grown children and two beautiful grandsons. Her passions are fitness and spending time with family and friends.
Genevieve "Rell" Alston
Case Manager at Triad House
Genevieve "Rell" Alston
Rell Alston was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a BS in Psychology. She later graduated from Central Michigan University with an MS in Public Administration. She was working towards her MSW at Eastern Michigan until she relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. Mrs. Alston has worked in Corrections for the State of Michigan, Foster Care and Adoptions, she was a Director over a 24-hour Respite Program for children, worked with Juvenile Delinquents, Program Manager, Case Manager, & Home Health Manager, with the Brain Injury population (Behavioral,) the Developmental (DD) Delayed population also in a QMRP role. Over 25 years of skills and service. Mrs. Alston's, husband's position moved her here from Las Vegas in January 2012. She spent 5 years, with her daughter, in Mommy & Me Classes and has worked as a Substitute Teacher and a Paraprofessional for the past 3 years. Mrs. Alston has 2 adult children and a 8 year old daughter. She loves to visit home (Detroit,) as that's where her family resides. She loves traveling with family & friends, having get togethers, and she's definitely a lover of people. "I'm from the Midwest and, I've Never met a Stranger!!" ???
Priscilla V. Cartagena
Administrative Coordinator
Priscilla V. Cartagena
Priscilla V. Cartagena is the Administrative Coordinator to the Executive Director of LifeTies, Inc. In this position, Priscilla provides administrative assistance for the Board of Trustees, Executive Director, Director of Finance in addition to the Directors of each Program and Clinical Services. She serves as the primary contact for external offices and assists on special projects such as: fundraising events, annual appeal mailing, holiday wish program, donations, etc. Priscilla provides logistical support for multiple projects, meetings, conferences, and workshops. Priscilla joined LifeTies, Inc. in 2011. Prior to her position at LifeTies, Inc., she served as an Administrative Analyst and Assistant at IBM for 3 years and as an Executive Administrative Assistant at Johnson & Johnson for 9 years as assisted in the launch of new products.
Kathy Coppins
Volunteer Coordinator
Kathy Coppins
Kathy joined LifeTies as the Volunteer Coordinator in October 2019. She coordinates and implements recruitment, retention and volunteer programs for the organization to ensure low turnover and availability of qualified applicants to meet our youths' needs. Kathy is passionate about helping vulnerable youth and has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer in Mercer County since March 2018. Prior to joining LifeTies, Kathy worked for several financial services and consulting companies in talent acquisition, HR generalist, training/ leadership development and project management roles. She has a BS in Accounting from Rutgers University Business School.
Victoria Martinez, BA
Housing Case Manager TH/RRH Joint Programs
Victoria Martinez, BA
Victoria Martinez, native of Jersey City, NJ. She began her career as a public servant advocating for underprivileged children and Human-trafficked survivors in 2008. Since then, she has also worked as a Migrant Outreach Coordinator for Migrant workers and their families. Victoria prides herself on being a humanitarian and mother to 3 children. She often travels to 3rd world countries and coordinates mission trips back to her home town Of Arecibo, Puerto Rico. One of her most rewarding experiences was spending a month in Tijuana, Mexico translating documents for Asylum seekers. Victoria is happy to start her new journey with Life Ties as a Housing Case Manager. In her spare time, she enjoys teaching ESL classes, hiking, walking the beach, and gardening.
Sarah Brown, LSW
Clinical Coordinator at Triad House
Sarah Brown, LSW
Sarah Brown is a New Jersey Licensed Social Worker who currently serves as the Clinical Coordinator at Triad House. Sarah obtained her B.A in Anthropology with minors in both Women’s Studies and LGBT+ and sexuality studies from Michigan State University in 2016. Sarah then went on to obtain a masters degree in social work from New York University (2018). Sarah has extensive experience in providing group and individual therapy to LGBTQ+ teens and young adults in their schools, in outpatient settings, and in after school programs. Sarah works with youth in many capacities but has a special interest in work related to creating and maintaining healthy relationships and gender exploration.
Stephanie Hendricks, LAC, ATR-P, NCC
Clinical Coordinator at Rainbow House
Stephanie Hendricks, LAC, ATR-P, NCC
Stephanie Hendricks is a New Jersey Licensed Associate Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor, as well as a provisional Registered Art Therapist. She holds a Master's in Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy from Caldwell University, as well as a Bachelor's in Psychology from CU and an Associate's in Fine Art from Bergen CC. She has 6 years of experience working in nonprofit and community organizations serving a variety of populations. Stephanie has a passion for working with wrongfully stigmatized populations, such as individuals affected by HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ+ community. She believes in providing unconditional positive regard to the youth she serves and empowering them to be the best versions of themselves by celebrating their individuality and strengths. She enjoys using art in the counseling services she provides as a means of self expression in times when the right words are hard to find, and a way to delve deeper into the unconscious self in order to achieve healing and autonomy. She currently utilizes these skills in the role of Clinical Coordinator at Rainbow House.
Me-Tana Wilkins
Housing Case Manager
Me-Tana Wilkins
Me-Tana Wilkins, Native of East Orange, New Jersey. She began her career as a direct support professional providing support to a wide spectrum of people. She began her career around 2018. She started working in the field specifically targeting autistic, schizophrenic, Bipolar, and physically disabled adults. She strives to make a change in the world by bringing awareness and knowledge to the general public. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, meditation, and swimming.