Our Staff

Janina — Resident Director

Janina is originally from Lawrence, MA, and graduated from Springfield College with a degree in Psychology. She is currently an Adjustment Counselor at Reading Public Schools and is pursuing her Master’s in Social Work. With more than 12 years of experience working with children and teens ages 3–18 in classrooms, after-school programs, and summer camps, she is passionate about supporting young people’s academic, social, and emotional growth.

Outside of work, Janina enjoys playing recreational softball and volleyball, staying active at the gym, and relaxing with puzzles and word searches. She brings the same energy, teamwork, and curiosity to her work with teens every day.

Mary — Resident Mentor and Cook/Food Services Coordinator

Mary brings hands-on experience across education, behavioral health, direct care, and culinary arts. She currently works at Compass School in Boston in a dual role as a Vocational Culinary Arts Teacher and Caseworker, where she instructs students in cooking techniques and food safety, plans menus and recipes, and runs the student-run restaurant, in addition to providing individualized support to students with developmental and behavioral needs. That combination of kitchen leadership and caregiving experience carries directly into her role at ABC, where she will serve as Resident Mentor and Cook/Food Services Coordinator, planning and preparing meals for the house while supporting Scholars day-to-day. Her background also includes recovery treatment work at Bridgewater State Hospital, live-in personal care assistance, and per-diem work at the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, giving her strong grounding in crisis de-escalation, daily-routine support, and life-skills coaching. She is finishing her BA at Eastern Nazarene College (expected 2026) and holds certifications in First Aid/CPR, CPI, Safety Care, and Water Safety.

Demiya — Resident Mentor

Demiya is a 2023 graduate of Andover High School, where she was Show Choir President, Show Choir Dance Captain, and a Spirit Leader, so she returns to support Scholars in a community she knows firsthand. She is currently an English major with a minor in Education at Merrimack College (3.6 GPA, Dean's List), after starting her degree at Northern Essex Community College. Her background combines classroom observation and youth mentorship, including after-school childcare with homework support and transportation, with steady customer-facing work experience at Drybar, Orangetheory, and other local businesses. She is especially focused on active listening, conflict de-escalation, and building trust with students, skills she is aiming to carry into a future classroom-teaching career.