Founder & Executive Director • CHJ
Dawn is a social worker dedicated to healing individuals and systems for more than 30 years. She has worked on anti-poverty and peace initiatives locally and internationally. She works with individuals and their own healing process, builds supportive community, and encourages people to share their gifts, give back and work for change.

Her Doctoral dissertation focused on the transformation of community members who engaged in the Coming Home prison re-entry program. She is a collaborator with Beck Institute for Religion and Poverty at Fordham Graduate School of Social Work and has served as an Adjunct Professor at Fordham Graduate School of Social Service, Yeshiva Wurzweiler School of Social Work, New York Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary (at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility). Dawn is a graduate of the Institute for Transformative Mentoring for Credible Messengers at The New School.

Dawn also maintains her skills as a Psychotherapist – holistic psychotherapy for trauma, loss, and transition. She received a certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies from the Trauma Research Foundation. Her commitment to this work stems from her belief that our own healing equips us to be peacemakers and healers in the world.

Program Director • Coming Home
Sequan has 14 years of experience working with underserved populations. He is a 2020 graduate of the Coming Home Program and has served as the coordinator and co-facilitator of Coming Home since his graduation. Sequan received his Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science (Summa Cum Laude) from Mercy College in 2017. Because of his lived experiences and his communications and management skills, Sequan is able to relate to participants and mentors alike. Our participants feel comfortable speaking to Sequan but also view him as a role model. He bridges the gap in understanding with the mentors who seek his help and advice. Sequan has championed the Coming Home program as an ambassador.

Associate Director • CHJ
Caroline is the Associate Director at Communities for Healing and Justice (CHJ). Her commitment to social justice was shaped early by her experiences as the child of political refugee parents. Caroline holds a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Finance, an interdisciplinary master’s degree in Humanities and Social Thought, and a Master of Social Work, and is a Licensed Master Social Worker in New York.

Caroline has experience in program development, advocacy, and trauma-informed practices, and has supported marginalized communities through work including the Freedom for Immigrants National Hotline. As a trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator with over 15 years of experience teaching yoga, she integrates mindfulness and trauma-sensitive practices into her work with marginalized communities.

Board Member

William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters, has worked with people impacted by the criminal legal system for more than 20 years. He has earned awards for his work in the criminal legal system, including the Ralph Bunche Bridge Builder Award, which was later renamed the William Eric Waters Bridge Builder Award, and the Esther House Prison Ministry Award. He is the author of four books. He has a master’s degree from New York Theological Seminary and bachelors’ degrees from Albany University and the College at New Paltz. He is a native Brooklynite.

PQ Coach (Positive Intelligence)

Sally Baker began her involvement with the Coming Home program in 2016 when she served as a transformational partner, and she joined the Leadership Team the following year. Sally has spent her career in non-profits and is the Founder and former Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Westchester County where she guided the organization’s mission to empower thousands of girls and young women to learn and grow within a supportive community, challenging themselves and each other to be their best selves.

Building on that commitment to personal empowerment, Sally shifted her focus to individualized coaching and became a Certified Co-Active Coach, guiding people as they unlock their potential and ignite meaningful change. She is also trained in Positive Intelligence (PQ), helping clients cultivate mental fitness and resilience by strengthening their “Sage” powers of empathy, curiosity and creativity.

Sally brings leadership, compassion, and a deep belief in the power of possibility to the Communities for Healing and Justice team. She is committed to helping people and communities move forward with clarity, courage, and joy, and is thrilled to be able to offer PQ to a cohort of CHJ participants, partners and alumni every year.

Coming Home Facilitator

Theresa is a facilitator with Communities for Healing and Justice (CHJ) and has been involved with the Coming Home program for over 15 years. She serves as a member of the program’s leadership team and brings deep insight and compassion to her work supporting returning citizens.

Theresa holds an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification, and worked as a psychiatric nurse for more than 19 years with a focus on mental health wellness and education.

For over two decades, Theresa has also been engaged in grassroots community organizing. Since 2014, she has served as a Community Service Coordinator with Washingtonville Housing Alliance/Westhab, where she connects individuals, organizations, and businesses to maximize resources that support people with the lowest incomes.

Her work is also informed by more than 45 years of personal experience navigating the legal system alongside immediate family members, giving her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by many Coming Home participants.