ASSISTANT DIRECTOR &

DIRECTOR OF CHILD CARE AND FOOD SERVICES

Tess Holley has been a member of the Neighborhood Center for over twenty years; she loves and cares for our children daily. Tess started in administrative roles at the Center but in 2015 became the Child Care Director. Under her leadership, the Childcare building has been thoroughly renovated and maintained at the highest standards, which is evident in our retention of families in our programs.

Tess was born and raised here in Camden, N.J., and is passionate about the hope and progress that can be accomplished here in the Camden community. Tess has an Associate's Degree and has attended many State and County seminars on childcare centers and early childhood development. However, during the pandemic, Tess was charged by the Lord to go back to school.

So, in January 2020, she enrolled in the University of Arizona Global Campus. Tess continued working full-time at the Center while going to school. In 2022, Tess obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and Administration. She plans to support the children, parents, and staff with her degree. Tess understands the importance of supporting a stimulating environment that nurtures creativity, self-expression, self-esteem, and the development of social skills. She is compassionate about also supporting her staff and parents. Tess is a leader as she inspires others to go back to school.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mike has been associated with the Neighborhood Center since 1988 as a volunteer and board member. He became the Executive Director in 2012 and putting his corporate career on the shelf.

Under Mike’s leadership the Neighborhood Center has grown it’s mission and relevance in making a positive difference in the lives of children, teenagers, and the community.

Prior to becoming the Executive Director of the Neighborhood Center in 2012, Mike was a Partner with Forbes Global Talent (formally Banister International).

Prior to his executive search and consulting experience, Mike worked as the Vice President of Human Resources at Diageo, a $17B global consumer packaged goods organization. Prior to his tenure at Diageo, Mike spent a number of years as the Director of Human Resources for the U.S. Grocery Division of Campbell Soup Company. Before joining Campbell, Mike worked at Siemens’ Medical Solutions Division (formerly known as Shared Medical Systems),

Mike earned his Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University here in Camden N.J. He has also completed extensive coursework in Labor Relations and Human Resource Management through Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Mike recently served on the vestry of historic Christ Church of Philadelphia. He is married to Elizabeth Kimball, Associate Professor of English at Drexel University and they live happily in Haddonfield, New Jersey. His daughter Emily is a marine biologist while his younger daughter, Sarah is an advertising executive, and his son, Peter is a freshman at Skidmore College.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR AND RECEPTIONIST

Valerie has been a part of the Neighborhood Center team for fourteen years. She started her time here as a PM childcare teacher. For many years, she has been the first person to greet you with a smile and a warm welcome as you enter the Neighborhood Center. Most recently, Valerie has taken on the responsibility of coordinating the many volunteers that come through to help keep the Center operating. Valerie was born in Washington D.C. and moved to Camden when she was six years old. 

She was a para professional in the Camden City School District for thirty years. Her love of children is what brought her to the Neighborhood Center after her retirement. Valerie attended the Neighborhood Center as a teenager, her two daughters attended the Neighborhood Center as teenagers, and as of 2017, all five of her grandchildren have come through the doors of the Neighborhood Center.

DIRECTOR OF NUTRITION AND AGRICULTURE

Natasha Roach is a passionate gardener who specializes in foraging, herbal medicine, and sustainable growing practices.

As a former Buyer for Riverwards Produce in Philadelphia, Natasha successfully sourced foods for the Fishtown neighborhood with a focus on natural ingredients, exceptional freshness, fair trade and organic practices. Following her two years at Riverwards, Natasha worked as a gardener for a fine gardening company that specialized in garden design, ornamental landscaping, and habitat gardens.

Born and raised in Florida, Natasha flew north in 2014 to continue studying Anthropology at Temple University. A lifelong lover of the outdoors and the beauty of nature, she grew to recognize the importance of connecting with the earth and community through gardening and food. She has volunteered to help establish the Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden in the Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia, including assisting in hand-building an earth oven and creating raised beds. Additionally, she has volunteered with Elise Hanks at the farm for her company Terra Luna, as well as participated in “guerrilla gardening” around the city of Philadelphia to beautify neglected spaces with plants and flowers.

Natasha is passionate about connecting to the earth everywhere she goes and aims to demonstrate and share the importance of local food systems, wildlife support, sustainable practices, and nutritious eating.

Chef Frankie raised and educated in the city of Camden NJ has been with the Neighborhood Center for the past four years. Throughout the years Chef Frankie while raising children and working in a number of professional settings never lost sight of her true passion. In 2009, Chef Frankie attended and graduated in the top five of her graduating class at BCIT for Culinary Arts, After completion, Chef Frankie worked as a chef in hotels, restaurants, and nursing homes. However those positions pale in comparison to the opportunity to give back to her City with the ability to feed the community and children here in Camden NJ. Today, Chef Frankie feeds hundreds of children and adults and partners with the Neighborhood Center’s Urban Farm to ensure that healthy and nutritious food also tastes good! Chef Frankie and the Neighborhood Center are available for catering your next event.