Courses List
Emotional Resiliency for Disaster Volunteers
- 1 hour
- All Levels
This is an introductory level course for disaster volunteers to understand the basic concepts of emotional resiliency in disaster response. At the end of this training, disaster workers will understand the emotional risk, signs and symptoms of emotional fatigue. The training will further provide appropriate coping skills to manage and stress.
Introduction to First Aid
- 1 hour
- All Levels
This is an introductory level course for disaster volunteers to learn the concepts of First Aid. The goal of this training is to explain how to avoid physical hazards, adequately assess what type of first aid is needed and provide services as necessary. At the end of this training, disaster volunteers will be able to utilize a tourniquet, treat heat and cold emergencies in addition to provide appropriate first aid services.
Introduction to Flood Response and Recovery
- 1 hour
- All Levels
This is an introductory level course for disaster volunteers to understand the basic concepts of flood response and recovery. At the end of this training, disaster workers and volunteers will recognize the hazards related to floor response, the danger of these hazards and the role of personal protective equipment in a flood affected area.
Pandemic and Ebola Safety Awareness
- 1 hour
- All Levels
This is an introductory level course for disaster volunteers to understand the basic concepts of Pandemic and Ebola Safety. The goal of this training is to provide detailed information about Ebola, disease control protocols and safety and precautionary measure. At the end of this training disaster volunteers will know the definition of pandemic, understand the Ebola Virus is and know the appropriate donning and doffing of Personal Protection Equipment.
Food Distribution Safety
- 1 hour
- All Levels
Participants will learn what steps to take prior to volunteering in Food Distribution roles, assessing their roles while understanding specific COVID-19 hazards in relationship to those roles.
Volunteer Safety for Community Vaccination Centers
- 1 hour
- All Levels
After this training learners will understand where volunteers and frontline, non-medical help is needed. Participants will learn what steps to take prior to volunteering, assessing their roles while understanding specific COVID-19 hazards in relationship to those roles.
Know Before You Go
- 0.5 hour
- All Levels
This course will help those interested in volunteering understand the basic considerations that should be taken into account before deploying as a volunteer.
Extended Use and Reuse of N95 Respirators Safety for Essential Workers and Volunteers
- 0.5 hour
- All Levels
This is a Just in Time training for Essential workers and volunteers on the extended use and reuse of N95 respirators.
COVID-19 Awareness (SPANISH)
- 1 hour
- All Levels
Este curso es para que el público en general amplíe sus conocimientos sobre la seguridad de COVID-19. Al final de esta capacitación, las personas podrán explicar qué es el coronavirus, identificar sus síntomas, cómo se propaga y definir conceptos clave.
COVID-19 Awareness (ENGLISH)
- 1 hour
- All Levels
This course is for the general public to further their knowledge of COVID-19 Safety. At the end of this training, individuals will be able to explain what coronavirus is, identify its symptoms, how it spreads, and define key concepts.
Courses List
World Cares Center
Empowering communities and helping in disaster efforts around the world since 2001.
Mission Statement
World Cares Center’s mission is to ease the harm, suffering, and loss caused by disasters through the empowerment of under-served, at-risk communities to prevent everyday accidents and react as educated and skilled ready responders when disasters occur. World Cares Center believes that resiliency is best promoted when all community members are prepared to respond to disasters together. Everyone can be a Ready Responder!
History
World Cares Center (WCC) was founded during the 9/11 relief effort by Spontaneous Unaffiliated Community Volunteers (SUCVs) in New York City, who experienced both the positive energy and contributions citizens made to their own communities’ recovery and also the challenges of integrating community volunteers and leaders into response systems that would thereby reduce confusion and the secondary harm that comes from disaster volunteering.
Seeing the need to bring together various agencies and community-based organizations in a safe and collaborative environment, World Cares Center was born and the first of its programs, the September Space Community Resiliency Center, was established to promote social, emotional, and physical healing for the entire responder community.
Through the process of meeting the strong need for a Community Resiliency Centers in times of tragedy, WCC began to identify and address the root cause of emotional and physical disaster volunteer/worker trauma.
The Disaster Preparation & Trauma Mitigation program was developed to bridge the gap between SUCVs and official disaster responders. Because SUCVs were not affiliated with official response agencies, they lacked access to information and services regarding emotional, social, and physical preparedness and recovery, leaving them underutilized and mismanaged during the disaster response. WCC built a model to provide this support.
WCC’s strategy is to improve the level of knowledge within communities to enable volunteers and leaders to respond safely by mitigating harm, understanding and developing common disaster management strategies and learning new and important skills.
WCC has grown from a volunteer-run and zero-budget community center founded in the aftermath of tragedy to a global movement promoting proactive and collaborative disaster preparedness, response, and resilient recovery between community members and the emergency managers who will lead them.
The September Space Community Resilience Center (SSCRC) located in midtown Manhattan served as the crucible where WCC’s ideas were tested, and was the centerpiece of our services to individuals, groups, and communities affected by 9/11. From November 2001 to December 2007, WCC’s September Space Community Resiliency Centers served over 45,000 individuals.
WCC has trained disaster volunteers and managers in 27 states and 4 countries while simultaneously working on the ground with community leaders and spontaneous volunteers. WCC deployed to Haiti in the aftermath of the 2010 Earthquake, delivering critically needed supplies, medical staff, and training to survivors of this horrific event.
Locally, WCC has been a leader within New York City’s Volunteers Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) community, playing an active part in the city’s response to Hurricanes Irene and Sandy. WCC was immediately deployed in the affected areas, setting up Volunteer Coordination and Reception Centers in multiple boroughs. By 2015, WCC prepared 1,400 homes for rebuilding and trained upwards of 22,000 local disaster volunteers post-Superstorm Sandy.
Board of Directors
Robert Fucito
Fannie Mae, VP, Center of Excellence – Enterprise Resiliency, Physical Security and Crisis Manager
View More→Dean B. Angelakos
Executive Director, Greater NY, LECET (Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust Fund)
View More→President – Lisa Orloff
Orloff is a thought leader in disaster management, specializing in spontaneous volunteer management, community engagement, and emotional resiliency. She has nearly two decades of experience in the field and in the classroom. She is the founder of World Cares Center, the nonprofit volunteer organization she spearheaded post 9/11, and the President of Resiliency Advisors, a consulting firm. She has authored "Managing Spontaneous Community Volunteers in Disasters," a book used in the field and in the classroom. Orloff developed curriculum for the Pratt University Graduate program Facilities and Construction Management and contributes to the John Jay College of Criminal Justice Fire Safety and Disaster Management Program. She has been called upon to be an advisor for the Department of Defense, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health, multiple Offices of Emergency Management as well as grassroots groups. Orloff has served as executive trainer to organizations such as Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, the American Biological Safety Association, the Sri Lankan Department of Emergency Measures, and Salud, Puerto Rico’s Department of Health. She was the deployment lead responding to numerous disasters, including the 9/11 relief effort, the Haitian Earthquake, Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy, and Hurricanes Harvey in Texas and Maria in Puerto Rico. She is the recipient of the Mayor’s Voluntary Action Award for her relief work in and around Ground Zero and received letters of commendation from the Department of Defense, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, and Hope Worldwide. She has also received the Martin Luther King Human Rights Lifetime Achievement Award from Power Chaplain State of New York and a citation from the Brooklyn Borough President for her commitment to the local residents and community. In her spare time Orloff is a firefighter at the Eastport Fire Department in New York.
Treasurer – John Trottman
Trottman grew up in Northern Virginia just outside Washington, D.C. When he was 16 he joined the local volunteer fire department and rose through the ranks to Assistant Chief. In 1995, John was hired as a federal firefighter in Warrenton, Virginia. In 2000, he became a firefighter at Fort Meade, Md. Trottman received training in Community Crisis Response, Critical Incident Stress Management, Suicide Intervention, Peer Support, Line of Duty Deaths, and Mental Health Response to WMD Incidents. He joined the National Organization for Victims Assistance (NOVA) and participated in several crisis responses in the D.C. area following 9/11. Additionally, he responded to Florida after Hurricane Francis and remained there during Hurricane Jean. He also responded to the Mississippi Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina, where he served as regional coordinator for NOVA’s crisis response teams. In 2002, Trottman met Lisa Orloff and offered his assistance to September Space, the World Cares Center (WCC) community center for first responders, victims, and survivors of 9/11. He participated in numerous activities and events with the organization as a crisis counselor. As the need for September Space decreased, John took on a more advisory role with WCC and helped develop and evaluate its Leading and Managing Volunteers in Disasters program. He has co-facilitated this program internationally to CERT teams, emergency responders, and OEM managers. He also sits on the Atlantic Center for Occupational Safety and Health Training Advisory Board as a representative of WCC and provides guidance on the dangers of hazardous waste to the disaster volunteer. He responded with WCC to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and provided training to its citizens. Trottman serves as the Prevention Chief for the Fort Meade Fire and Emergency Services Department. He is nationally certified as a Fire Protection Specialist, Fire Officer IV, and Fire Instructor III. He has an Associate of Sciences degree in Fire Science Administration.
Secretary – David Fischer
Fischer represents public and private companies in a diverse range of corporate and capital markets transactions. His broad experience includes public and private securities offerings, derivative securities transactions, corporate governance and public company compliance, mergers and acquisitions, technology transfer transactions, and licensing agreements. He also assists clients with research and development, cryptocurrency offerings, business and fund formations, executive employment agreements, and employee equity plans. Fischer’s clients have included companies on all major U.S. securities exchanges. He has also worked with private firms in a variety of business sectors, including SaaS, investment and investment advisory services, semiconductors, television broadcasting, retail, sports, commodities, management consulting, and insurance brokerage. In addition, he has represented a foreign government in its high-tech R&D and off-the-shelf defense procurements. Fischer also regularly gives pro bono advice to World Cares Center.
Robert Fucito
For almost 40 years, Fucito has led business and technology resiliency, crisis management, and physical security programs for some of the world’s most influential financial institutions, including BNP Paribas, J.P. Morgan, and Fannie Mae. Fucito successfully led crisis response and recovery efforts for several major disasters, including 9/11, the 2003 northeast blackout, the 2011 earthquake in Japan, Superstorm Sandy in 2012, and violent protests in Bangalore, India in 2016. Throughout his career, Fucito has demonstrated his passion to make a difference for those in need. In partnership with Ready New York, a program with the New York City Office of Emergency Management, he created a corporate volunteer emergency response team and funded the training of a separate community emergency response team. Fucito co-led an intense four-month rebuilding effort in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, during which his teams rebuilt firehouses, a school, and single-family homes. In collaboration with the owner of Continuity Insights, he established an annual post-conference community service workshop called Continuity Cares. Over more than 15 years, Fucito has volunteered time and efforts to support World Cares Center. He has served as the NYC Chapter Chair and Vice Chair on the Executive Board of the Contingency Planning Exchange, is a member of the Business Resiliency and General Threats Committees for the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, and was recently named as a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Continuity Insights. Fucito speaks at conferences across the country to help further the knowledge of continuity professionals.
Dean B. Angelakos
Angelakos has over 30 years of experience in the public, private, industry advocacy and union sectors, with a focus on business development through strengthening and maintaining stakeholder relations, in policy and legislative analysis, and in developing community outreach. Throughout his career, he has assumed varied roles while working for New York State and New York City. His work with public offices has included positions with both the City and State Comptrollers, the New York City Deputy Mayor for Finance and Economic Development, the New York City Council, and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. His private career includes time with several global engineering firms. Through his career, Angelakos has built long-lasting, professional relationships with the building trades and within the construction and design industries. He also has been active for decades in industry, civic, philanthropic, and educational boards and task forces. He is a graduate of Cornell University. He is married to Helen Angelakos, a Global Human Resource professional.
Patrick Alesi
Alesi is a Managing Director and the Americas Head of Business Resilience at the global financial services firm Nomura. Joining the firm in June 2010, Alesi and his team are responsible for business continuity planning, crisis management, disaster recovery, and third-party risk. Alesi previously worked for Lehman Brothers in the Business Continuity Management group, ultimately as global co-head of the function, holding the title of Senior Vice President. Immediately following the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, Alesi became a Director at Barclays Capital, where he served on the IT Transition team overseeing the delivery of data and IT services to former Lehman entities. Alesi also worked at the New York Mercantile Exchange as its Director of Systems, Operations, and Database Administration; there, he helped get the exchange back on its feet after 9/11. He has a broad range of technology experience in systems analysis, voice, and data communications. Alesi is the former Chairperson of the Contingency Planning Exchange and serves on the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Business Continuity Committee, as well as the Institute of International Bankers Information Security and Operational Resilience Committee.
Ana Maria Raynes
Raynes is an entrepreneur, digital marketing expert, and CEO and Founder of Simplified Impact, a growth marketing agency for B2B niche companies. She was a co-founder of the Internet fashion startup Smart Is Cool, where she was responsible for social media and information technology. While working at Smart Is Cool, she was featured in Glamour Magazine and had multiple appearances on FOX Strategy Room. Following her position with Smart Is Cool, she pursued a career that focused on digital marketing. Raynes worked for agencies in the New York and Boston areas where she has led digital marketing campaigns for clients such as HSN, Wendy Williams, football legend Carl Banks, iHip for Snooki, Eastbay, Aer Lingus, and SkyMall. Before the launch of her own business, she was Vice President, Content Marketing at the NYC based agency Didit, a marketing agency for enterprise eCommerce clients. As a thought leader in her field, she has been invited to speak at conferences such as PPC Hero, NY Small Business Expo, NYXPO, Philanthropy Day, CORE and Vistage.
James Von Bischoffshausen
Von Bischoffshausen is an accomplished client/customer and team centric manager with over 15 years on retail sales and people management experience at TD Bank. He started his career out of college managing health clubs and found understanding both client and employee needs are at the heart of his purpose. He switched to banking 9 years ago so he could impact more people's lives. At TD he has managed multiple locations, regions and varying demographics. He has had the privilege of impacting hundreds of employees within the NY/NYC markets. In 2020 he was promoted to Senior Store Manager at the John & Broadway location. Our People, "Our clients, our community, their homes, businesses and growth/well-being" are at the core of what motivates him every day.
Tom Kivett
Kivett has 25 years’ experience helping companies and organizations communicate to their key audiences. He brings leadership and deep expertise in marketing communications, public relations, and branding with a heavy focus on the technology sector. A trusted media strategist, Kivett founded and leads a New York communications firm, was in senior roles at PR giant Weber Shandwick, onsite at Panasonic, and in-house at tech start-up Ovid Technologies. Kivett is founder and president of Brightfluence, a communications consultancy that specializes in innovative earned media and content delivery solutions. Working across technology, consumer, and health, he has spearheaded groundbreaking communications programs for scores of companies, including Sharp, Panasonic, Wolters Kluwer, Altec Lansing, Symphony Health, Monaeo, IFI CLAIMS, and Altman Solon. He also has been marketing advisor to nonprofits such as National Fishing & Boating Foundation, Gofishing.org, and World Cares Center. Kivett lives in New York City with his wife and two sons.
Thomas Huff
Former offensive guard for the Washington Redskins (1986-87) and a graduate of Kean University in New Jersey, he is currently a business partner with BSB Construction and MAPEI Americas. He is a member of the NFL Alumni Association, and is a well-known NFL Players Association guest speaker (1986-2017). His days on the offensive line taught him that nothing can get in your way when victory hangs in the balance.
Next Gen
President – Lisa Orloff
Treasurer – John Trottman
Captain, Fort Meade Fire Department
Secretary – David Fischer
Partner, Loeb and Loeb, LLP
Robert Fucito
Fannie Mae, VP, Center of Excellence – Enterprise Resiliency, Physical Security and Crisis Manager
Dean B. Angelakos
Executive Director, Greater NY, LECET (Laborers- Employers Cooperation and Education Trust Fund
Patrick Alesi
Managing Director and the Americas Head of Business Resilience at Nomura
Ana Maria Raynes
Founder Simplified Impact
James Von Bischoffshausen
Vice President, TD Bank
Tom Kivett
Founder and President, Brightfluence
Thomas Huff
NFL Alum, Teacher
Luke Ford
President
Alexander Maimis
Maimis is a corporate attorney specializing in International Maritime Transactions within a boutique New York-based law firm, which represents a diverse international clientele. His practice is also focused on corporate matters and asset-based lending, counseling companies and financial institutions on the maritime and corporate laws of multiple countries.
Sophie Theis
Theis is a highly skilled marketing professional, brand consultant, and graphic designer with a passion for creating impactful brand experiences. With expertise in social media management, digital advertising, and content creation, she has a proven track record of driving success for high-profile events and small businesses. As a Marketing Associate at CNXTD Event Media Corp., Theis oversees the day-to-day operations of social media channels and develops marketing strategies for various ad platforms. She has built strong partnerships, resulting in doubled event attendance, and raised funds of over $500,000. Previously, at the Mental Health Association in NYS, Inc., Theis led successful social media marketing campaigns, doubling the following on Facebook and Twitter and increasing event participation by 150 percent. She also excels as an independent branding consultant, offering comprehensive services such as logo design, advertisement design, animations, and website design. Driven, innovative, and dedicated, Theis is poised to make a lasting impact in marketing, branding, and graphic design.
The Team
Lisa Orloff
Founder and President
Brenda Quinn
Finance Manager, World Cares Center
Franchesca Morel
Administrative Assistant
Nezahat Glloxhani
WCC Administration and Training Support
Hilary Wilder
Instructional Technology Specialist
Max
Pet Preparedness Manager
Steve Landfield
WCC Trainer
David Rosas
WCC Trainer
Steven Ayling
WCC Trainer
Lisa Orloff
Founder and President
Brenda Quinn
Finance Manager, World Cares Center
Franchesca Morel
Administrative Assistant
Nezahat Glloxhani
WCC Administration and Training Support
Hilary Wilder
Instructional Technology Specialist
Max
Pet Preparedness Manager
Steve Landfield
WCC Trainer
David Rosas
WCC Trainer
Steven Ayling
WCC Trainer
Collaborative Disaster Volunteer Credential Advisory Board
Stevan Lynn, Founder, NYC Dare2Dream and Deeds Driven Dads Fatherhood Emergency Response Training
Philip Afran Gaisie, Executive Assistant for Peace and Mine Action Institute for Human Security
Tatiana Sofia Begault, Deputy State Director for Educational Reform
Begault is Louisiana's Deputy State Director for Educational Reform. She was formerly the Reentry Community Coordinator for Orleans Parish and has 15 years' experience in community advocacy and engagement in the fields of mental health, second chances, resiliency, diversity, and inclusion, and she is now embracing educational reform. As a Disaster Program Specialist, she managed 9 programs in the area of disaster relief cycle, prevention, response and recovery. She held the part-time position of Independent Program Monitor for Sexual and Domestic Violence Survivors in Florida as a subcontractor for Chaos Management, LLC, while serving St. Helene, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington Parish. Begault is an expert in forming community alliances and long-lasting relationships while bridging the gap of nonprofits and for-profit organizations with socially conscious duty and a fiscal responsibility to the community they serve. In addition to academic pursuits, in the fields of development, disaster management, biopsychology, neuroscience, sociology and cultural diversity, she strives to serve as an agent of change in diversity and inclusion. She coordinated resources for Disaster Relief Operations in Bayou Region, Orleans and Jefferson Parish Post IDA and volunteer services during COVID-19 pandemic feeding first responders and medical personnel involved during peak of the pandemic. Furthermore, she has created Housing, Workforce and Mental Health panels to educate case managers and organizational leadership. She is currently engaged in the IST Health Care Committee and IST Housing and Mental Health Subcommittee for the State of Louisiana, and a member of the LA-PRI State Implementation Steering Team Meeting. She is Co-Chair member of Big Easy Steering Team (Orleans Parish Steering Team), active member of Urban League Young Professionals and Parent Leadership Training Institute for the City of New Orleans. She also serves as honorary Board Member for Horns United, Central City Fellowship Church and Quoters of Hope. member of International Society of Females Professionals and Young Professionals Urban League.
Andrew Bershad, Flying Aces Consulting
Bershad is a retired detective from the New York City Police Department’s Elite Emergency Service Unit (ESU) with over 35 years of experience in Emergency Medical Services. He was integral as the Medical Coordinator with ESU and responsible for the management of hundreds of officers within the NYPD. He remains an active nationally registered paramedic, and is a recognized expert in tactical medical operations, instructing law enforcement and government agencies both nationwide and internationally. He has been featured as the cover of Popular Mechanics Magazine and was recently interviewed by Anderson Cooper on CNN.
Amber Hogan Mitchell, DrPH, MPH, CPH
Dr. Mitchell's career has been focused on public health and occupational safety and health related to preventing infectious disease. She is the President and Executive Director of the International Safety Center, a nonprofit run by women. She also runs a successful consulting business and functions as a science advisor and subject matter expert for NIH/NIEHS, OSHA, and other Washington-based firms for infectious disease and the COVID-19 response. She serves as a board member for several occupational health and infection prevention organizations. Dr. Mitchell holds an adjunct faculty position at the University of Maryland School of Medicine Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Dr. She began her career as the first OSHA National Bloodborne Pathogens Coordinator and has received several Secretary of Labor Excellence awards for her work on bioterrorism and public preparedness. She holds a Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of Texas School of Public Health and a Master’s in Public Health from The George Washington University. She is certified in Public Health as a member of the very first CPH cohort offered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. She published her first book, “Preventing Occupational Exposures to Infectious Disease in Health Care,” for professionals with responsibility for infection prevention and control and occupational health and safety programs.
Simon Pereira Shorey, A Resilient Jersey City for the Future of Our Community
Born and raised in England, where he gained an honors degree in Management from the University of Reading, Berkshire, he has lived in the United States for 20 years. He began his career as a business consultant and asset valuer, working for major clients including BP, British Gas, and the billion-dollar Duchy of Cornwall estate of HRH The Prince of Wales. Simon has devised, designed, implemented and led multi-tiered global organizations, including the Irish-American Arts Awards, which gained recognition at Head of State level, and GeneAfrica Inc., which introduced ground-breaking genealogical genomic concepts to the African-American community. The Pereira family owned and operated the successful Rioguarda Group of risk mitigation companies in six of the states of Brazil for three decades. Simon has been involved in Jersey City community affairs for several years, serving on the I Love Jersey City Public Schools Committee, on the Safety and Security Committee for the Jersey City Board of Education, and as an active volunteer with the Community Emergency Response Team. Simon was in Manhattan for 9/11 and in Jersey City for the North-East Blackout of 2003 and for Superstorm Sandy in 2012. He has personally responded to medical emergencies in Jersey City and beyond, including being the immediate responder to a street shooting in 2017, following which he received a commendation for his actions from the City Council. Simon received a Certificate of Appreciation from the mayor of Jersey City for his volunteer work in the field of disaster preparedness and emergency response for Jersey City. He has various emergency response and management certifications, including Tactical Emergency Casualty Care and Technical Emergency Response Training for CBRNE Incidents, and has been awarded the Professional Development Series Certificate of Achievement by the Emergency Management Institute. Simon is a certified Federal Emergency Management Agency instructor. Simon is keen to contribute in any way to support and augment the existing skilled responders, planners and initiatives that seek to get ahead of the threats facing the people of Jersey City and reduce any potential damage, injury and death as much as humanly possible by increasing the resilience of our community.
Armando Aviles, Essex County Cops for Kids
The retired investigator received numerous awards for performing beyond the call of duty. He has participated in dignitary protection details for Pope John Paul II, President Bill Clinton, President George Bush and Vice President Dick Chaney. He assisted in the search, rescue and recovery operations after 9/11. He is a graduate of the Essex County College Police Academy, the Federal Law Training Enforcement Center’s Undercover Operatives School and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Crisis Negotiators School. After 9/11 he was selected to be a member of the Essex County Rapid Deployment Team, where he was trained to respond to terrorist attacks. He was detailed for 10 years to U.S. Customs and Homeland Security Investigations, where he worked as an undercover narcotics operative investigating cases that funded various levels of terrorism. He currently serves as an advisory board member for Essex County’s Donald Payne Technology High School and Barringer High School in Newark, where he advises on their law and public safety curriculum. / In 2014 Aviles took over a fledgling local law enforcement youth program and turned it into Essex County Cops 4 Kids, which provides mentoring, career development, community service opportunities, life skills training and college preparedness counseling. They currently provide services to children between the ages of 6 and 18. The nonprofit plans to expand to other counties and will be known as New Jersey Cops 4 Kids. Four of its graduating members have already achieved careers in law enforcement. For his outstanding work in the community, in 2017 Aviles was named Service Member of the Year by National Police Supply. He has received numerous citations from City of Newark, Essex County, and the New Jersey State Senate for his outstanding work with the youth of Essex County. The Essex County Police Benevolent Association Conference recognized Aviles as the Officer of the Year for his efforts to remove the barriers that exist between law enforcement officers and youth in the community. The Newark Puerto Rican Day Parade selected Armando as its 2022 Community Leader of the Year. His certifications include Incident Command Systems, Radiation Detection, Rapid Risk Recognition Assessment and Response, Response to Terrorist Bombings, Drug Interdiction, Counter-Terrorism Intelligence and Awareness, Biomedical Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Hazardous Materials Response.
Cindy Lewis, CSP, CIT Director, Office of Professional Development and Program Evaluation at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Public Health
Lewis is an experienced safety, health and training professional with a demonstrated history of working in multiple industries, including petrochemical, manufacturing, aerospace and construction contractors, and higher education. She is skilled in the development and auditing of Safety and Health Management Systems, Industrial Hygiene, and Learning and Development (i.e., training). Lewis has a MSPH focused in Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences from University of Illinois at Chicago with Certified Safety Professional and Certified Instructional Trainer certifications from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
Dr. Alison Thompson, Founder, Third Wave Volunteers
Dr. Thompson (OAM, D.Litt.) is the founder of Third Wave Volunteers. She is also on the Advisory Board of the United Nations Chaplains, Ambassador to Haitian Ministry of Environment, and board member of MACtown 11 Disabled Homes.
Dr. Novil Wijesekara
Dr. Wijesekara is a medical doctor and a Community Solutions Fellow of the U.S. Department of State, attached to the World Cares Center in New York. His qualifications include Disaster Management (M.Sc), Community Medicine (M.Sc), and Human Rights and Peace Education (P.G.Dip). He was attached to the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of the Ministry of Health, where he was involved in program planning, development, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation with regards to health sector disaster preparedness and response, both at health institution and community level. He contributed as a resource person in Disaster Management for four specialist postgraduate training program conducted by the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo. He has over 10 years experience in public health and was the co-founder of the Community Tsunami Early-warning Center.
Dr. Edward Williams, Founder, Regional Ready Rockaway
Dr. Williams’ distinguished career brings over 50 years of experience as a Political Action Advocate throughout New York City. He rose to EMS Union Vice President and chaired the Political Action Committee representing Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics and Medical Corpsman. In collaboration with parent union District Council 37, Dr. Williams successfully lobbied for legislation that is responsible for today’s certification standards for EMS training. Shortly after joining NYC Department of Juvenile Justice as a juvenile counselor, he served as the Political Action Chair for his local. He also served as Emergency Service Administrator at several hospitals in Brooklyn. Dr. Williams is currently the President and CEO of the nonprofit Regional Ready Rockaway Inc., whose commitment is to help communities become more resilient toward natural disasters and climate-related events.
Roderick "Ricky" Joseph, Cofounder/President, The Level Up Campaign
Joseph is a New Orleans native whose marketing career has included working on campaigns for Fortune 500 companies to gain skills such as leadership, team management, and public speaking. He is a senior marketing executive and media specialist with the Save Our Youth Nola and cofounded a local nonprofit by the name of The Level Up Campaign. He aspires to be a role model and mentor to young people by curating enrichment programs and being active with youth outreach in New Orleans.
About the Advisory Board and its members
All Advisory Board members attend monthly meetings, contribute to the development and promotion of the program, and agree to utilize the training as part of their volunteer training. If you are interested in joining the Advisory Board, please send your statement of interest, bio, organization logo, photo and LinkedIn URL to lorloff@worldcares.org.