Fall in love with what you are going to do for a living. To be able to get out of bed and do what you love to do for the rest of the day is beyond words.
- George Burns
Meet Our Staff
We invite you to learn more about who is who at New Jersey AIDS Services. NJAS's day-to-day operations and programs are overseen by a team of dedicated and passionate experts. Our highly qualified staff and consultants include women and men of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds who bring a wide range of knowledge to the task.
Laurie Litt-Robbins, Chief Executive Officer Laurie Litt-Robbins has been the Executive Director of New Jersey AIDS Services since its inception as the Eric Johnson House in 1994 and is still excited about going to work everyday and making a difference. She received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Boston University and her Masters Degree in Social Work from Yeshiva University. In addition, Laurie has completed post graduate course work is non-profit management and is licensed by the State of New Jersey as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She has also developed course content and taught numerous classes for professionals seeking their certification in drug and alcohol counseling. For the past 20 years, Laurie has been active in Morris County serving on many human service committees. She has been an active member of The National Association of Social Workers since 1992.
Joann McEniry, Chief Operating Officer
Joann McEniry obtained her Masters Degree in Social Work from YeshivaUniversity's Wurzweiler School of Social Work in New York City and Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Ramapo College of New Jersey. She is licensed by the State of New Jersey as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW). Her career began over 10 years ago advocating to create housing opportunities for homeless people living with HIV and AIDS. Joann has overseen the delivery of gender responsive programming for at-risk populations, engaged in anti-discrimination efforts and has extensive experience in non-profit development and management. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, as well as the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Joann identifies the mission of New Jersey AIDS Services as the basis for her life's work.
Carrie Moore, Program Manager - Eric Johnson House Carrie Moore joined NJAS in November 2007 as the part time Weekend House Manager at Eric Johnson House.In January 2010, Carrie was promoted to the full time position of Program Manager for Eric Johnson House, a position she holds today.When she first joined NJAS, Carrie was also working for the Developmental Disabilities Planning Institute as the Project Coordinator of Research.Prior to that, she held the position of Community and Volunteer Coordinator at the Essex County Rape Care Center for two years.Carrie graduated with a Bachelors in Social Work (BSW) from Rutgers University in 2007 and obtained her Masters in Social Work from Fordham University in 2010.She is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers- New Jersey Chapter’s Special Interest Group on HIV/AIDS.
Carolyn Engle, Volunteer and Community Coordinator Carolyn Engle has nearly two decades of experience working in both social service and local government positions.Much of her focus has been on serving the needs of marginalize populations including victims of domestic violence, individuals living with HIV infection, sexual and gender minority youth, people with disabilities, senior citizens and individuals living below the poverty level.An experienced public speaker, Carolyn has educated countless volunteers, college students and professionals in the fields of social service, law enforcement and medicine on topics related to domestic violence identification and intervention, sexual assault, oppression, and working with sexual and gender minority youth.Her background also includes counseling, grants administration, program management and outreach services.
Tara Ely, Clinical Director,Mental Health Counselor Tara Ely began her work with NJAS in 2008 as a part time Mental Health Clinician and was promoted to a full time position in June 2011. Her prior experience includes working as a Mental Health Clinician at HOPE House, a supervisory role at a Care Management organization, aStudent Assistance Counselor and providing in-home therapy to children and families. Tara has experience working with chemically dependent adolescents and adults, counseling victims of domestic violence, and assisting patients with muscle, nerve, and neurological damage. Tara earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of New Jersey and holds certifications in Biofeedback and Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapies from the NJ Neurological Institute; Family Systems and Chemical Dependency from the Center for Family, Community and Social Justice in New Jersey; and Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) from the New Jersey Department of Education.
Abdul Jalil, Substance Abuse Counselor Intern Abdul Jalil graduated from the School of Social Work at Rutgers University's New Brunswick Campus with a Masters Degree in Social Work and obtained his undergraduate degree, also in Social Work, from Rutgers University's Newark Campus in 2007. Abdul has been working at Integrity House, a substance abuse treatment facility, since 2002 providing HIV prevention services to Persons Living with HIV/AIDS and other high risk populations. He is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and an associate member of the Essex County LACADA (Local Advisory Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse). Abdul has focused his career helping people struggling with addiction to regain control of their lives and brings a wellspring of energy to his work at New Jersey AIDS Services.
Robert Meredith, Community Case Manager - Housing Specialist Rob Meredith is a Ryan White HIV/AIDS Certified Case Manager, specializing in housing and housing related issues.Having worked in the field of HIV since 1996, Rob brings 15 years of experience in case management and housing.He is responsible for overseeing the housing programs at NJAS as well as providing ongoing case management to the community.Rob is active in the community having served for 5 years as a member of the Newark EMA Health Planning Council Priority Setting committee, was freeholder appointed to the Morris, Sussex Warren HIV/AIDS Advisory Committee and was president of the Sussex County AIDS Task Force for 4 years.
Elisabete Durna, Community Case Manager Elisabete began her work with New Jersey AIDS Services in 2008 as an intern from Montclair State University. She graduated with her Bachelors Degree in Family and Child Studies in 2009 and eagerly joined the staff of New Jersey AIDS Services as our Transportation Coordinator. Shortly after, Elisabete was promoted to Community Case Manager and currently works in our Morris Plains location. As a Case Manager, Elisabete is responsible for identifying, obtaining and coordinating the delivery of appropriate services and resources for NJAS clients.
Mercedes Rolon, Case Manager Mercedes Rolon joined NJAS in July 2011 as a Case Manager serving the residents of Eric Johnson House.She began her work in the non-profit sector in 2004 as a Legal Advocate/Case Manager for the lead Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault agency in Passaic County, providing crisis intervention, advocacy, and outreach, as well as training and community education to groups.In 2007, she was promoted to the position of Senior Case Manager and in 2008, became the Program Manager.Prior to entering the social services field, Mercedes was employed for 10 years by a community pharmacy serving the needs of a significant HIV/AIDS population. In addition to her undergraduate degree from William Paterson University, she holds certifications in Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.Mercedes is committed to providing clients with exceptional service and promoting the agency’s reputation within the community.
Erik Torgersen, Transportation Coordinator
Erik joined NJAS in June 2011, as a part time provider of transportation for clients. But the skills he brought with him from nearly twenty years as a construction project manager soon proved invaluable and with some convincing, he took on the role of full time Transportation Coordinator in September 2011. Erik’s transition into the social service world began in 2009 when he took on the responsibility of co-coordinating over 4,000 donations associated with area Giving Trees for Straight and Narrow, a large non profit in Paterson.
Sarah Dunlop, Part Time House Manager Sarah Dunlop has been with NJAS since April 2011. Prior to joining the organization, she was employed by Saint Clare’s Hospital for six years as a residential attendant in their behavioral health homes and in the offices of the outpatient counseling center. With a strong interest in helping people, Sarah strives to make a difference in the lives of the clients she works with and cheering on their progress. In pursuit of her professional goal of becoming a case manager, Sarah has been working on her CADC since November of 2010 and also hopes to obtain a degree in Social Work.
Kathy Murphy, Part Time Administrative Assistant Kathy Murphy joined NJAS in June 2008 as an Administrative Assistant. In this role, she is responsible for assisting clients who call our office, paying bills, preparing correspondences including donation forms and thank you letters.Kathy has worked in social services for 11 years, handling housing assistance, working with the Ryan White CHAMPS Program and assisting clients with mental illness locate housing. She also has experience working as the Program Assistant to the Director of AIDS Services at Hope House in Dover. For the past five years, Kathy has served on the Board of Trustees for the Interfaith Council for Homeless Families of Morris County where she helps with fundraising efforts, planning for the Volunteer Recognition Dinner and Holiday Party.
Jed Jacobs, Part Time Administrative Assistant Jed Jacobs joined NJAS in May 2011 and quickly became involved in Organizational Development and Strategic Planning initiatives… all while answering the phones and filling in where needed. He brings with him a wealth of experience from the corporate world, having managed a few companies before joining the staff. “I was afforded the opportunity to utilize my business experience into the non-profit sector with NJAS. I admit early skepticism and even some trepidation. I cannot properly articulate the richness and wonder at this experience. The passionate and enlightened staff, coupled with the very human clients far surpasses any experience in the corporate world. I am humbled and grateful to be a part of an organization which does so much, with such modest resources, for people in such great need…either ignored or abandoned before connecting to NJAS. I am grateful for the life’s gift for both the learning and the serving.”
Paul Allen, Part Time Maintenance, Administrative Support
Paul joined the NJAS staff in March 2011, ensuring the Morris Plains office is well maintained and supported. A self-described jack of all trades, he has worked as a service repair attendant for the phone company, the driver of earth movers, sales and as a transportation assistant. Motivated by his love and interest of people, Paul can always be counted on to make someone laugh and be ready with a helping hand.
