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Meet our Staff

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Jennifer Arguello

Elementary Program Coordinator

Jennifer, representing the city of Azusa, joined the NHH team in August 2021. She has been an Azusa resident since 2008 and now considers this community her home. Jennifer graduated from California State University, Northridge with her B.A in Communication Studies. For several years now, she has been an active member of the community working closely with families in Azusa. Jennifer is passionate about working with NHH and their faithfulness to empower and elevate the youth in Azusa.

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Amy Gomez

Early Childhood Coordinator

Amy arrived to Azusa in 2001, attended Mountain View Elementary, and graduated from Gladstone High School in 2010. After high school, she attended Marymount California University and graduated with her Bachelor's degree in 2014. Amy has been a participating member/parent in NHH and is familiar with the program. She joined the team in 2023 and comes with a deep background of Early Childhood development. She is passionate about building and empowering her community.

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Darlene Gonzales

Teen and Alumni Coordinator

Darlene, an Azusa Native, grew up attending schools in the Azusa Unified School District. She joined the team in January 2023 as an elementary intern, and later as a part of summer staff. Darlene graduated Azusa Pacific University with her BA in Psychology in 2023, which has equipped her to serve NHH families as the Teen and Alumni Coordinator. Her passion for serving Azusa families has led her to be an active member in the community, and she is excited to partner with Azusa families and to continue her journey with NHH. 

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Charlene Heydorn

Administrative Coordinator

Charlene was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, growing up in the city of Covina. She spent most of her adult life at home raising her three children and moved into nonprofit work once they were grown. In 2014, Charlene led a team of passionate volunteers in opening a residential program for adult survivors of sex trafficking within the Los Angeles area. In 2019 she retired from that role and pursued a path in coaching. She is passionate about holistic wellness, nature, conservation, exploring new places and activities, and staying active but she is most passionate about her two grandchildren, Everly and Finley! Fun fact, Charlene is also a fire lookout for the Angeles National Forest and enjoys helping to protect our wildlands from forest fires. 

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Jennifer Hicks

Executive Director

Jennifer, originally from Hacienda Heights, joined the NHH team in July of 2014. She has worked in after-school programs since 2002, primarily serving vulnerable communities. She holds a B.A. in History from the University of Arizona and a M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Previously the Director of Programs for a faith-based nonprofit in LA's skid row, Jennifer is enthusiastic about engaging churches in the needs of local under-resourced communities for the common good of both groups. She loves NHH's commitment to parent empowerment and development as a distinctive piece of empowering Azusa's families.

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Janae Martinez

Volunteer Coordinator

Janae grew up in the neighboring city of West Covina. She joined the team in February of 2024 as an intern for the elementary program and worked as a part of our extended summer staff. Janae graduated from Azusa Pacific University with her B.S. in Psychology and will be pursuing her Master's in Social Work at California Baptist University. In her free time Janae loves to spend time with family and friends. Janae is passionate about helping others and giving back to the community, especially as the Volunteer Coordinator at NHH.

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Carlos Miranda

Director of Programs

Carlos Miranda was born and raised in the city of Boyle heights/East Los Angeles. He is proud of being raised by a single mother who migrated from Guatemala to the U.S. Carlos attended East Los Angeles College, transferred to Azusa Pacific University, and majored in Sociology. He has been working with youth since 2010 and has had the opportunity to volunteer for multiple organizations such as Boyle Heights 4 Square Church, Young Life East Los Angeles and previously worked as the Teen and Alumni Coordinator at NHH. In his free time, Carlos enjoys the small things in life such as hanging out with friends, playing sports, and eating some good tacos al pastor.

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Stephanie Urias

Development and Communications Coordinator

Stephanie, from the neighboring city of Duarte, joined NHH in 2018 as a Program Assistant. While working with NHH as an undergraduate student, she loved the community, support, and resources NHH provided for both the staff and families served. After graduating from Azusa Pacific University in 2021 with a B.A. in Psychology, she decided to continue her work at NHH with much of the “behind the scenes” work that occurs at NHH. Stephanie greatly enjoys working on many of the development, communications, and administrative tasks that keep the program running smoothly, as well as the connectedness to staff and families that comes with working at NHH.

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Noemi Zelaya

Family Engagement Coordinator

Noemi has lived in Azusa since 2003 and graduated from Azusa High School. She has 4 kids and has been a parent volunteer within the Azusa Unified School District. Noemi has been involved with Neighborhood Homework House for 7 years and is passionate about the work done here. In her spare time, she likes to spend quality time with her family and go on fun adventures. She looks forward to working alongside NHH families.

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