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 15 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.
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. 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 N.J. Dept. of Education.
Abdul Jalil, Substance Abuse Counselor Intern Abdul Jalil graduated from the School of Social Work at Rutgers University with a Masters Degree in Social Work and obtained his undergraduate degree, also in Social Work, from Rutgers University in 2007. In addition to his work with NJAS, Abdul has worked at Integrity House, a substance abuse treatment facility, since 2002 providing HIV prevention services to Persons Living with HIV/AIDS. 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 Durna 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. Native of Brazil, Elisabete is bi-lingual and has a great deal of experience working on immigrant issues. As a Case Manager, Elisabete is responsible for identifying, obtaining and coordinating the delivery of appropriate services and resources for NJAS clients.
Tina Spano, Community Case Manager Tina Spano began her work with New Jersey AIDS Services as an intern from Ramapo College of New Jersey in 2009 and graduated with her Bachelors Degree in Social Work with a minor in Gerontology in 2011. "As an intern at NJAS, I saw first-hand the difference New Jersey AIDS Services makes in the community and was excited to become part of the staff when the Community Case Manager Position became available in 2012." Tina works out of the Morris Plains Location providing services to those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in the community.
Kathy Murphy, Part Time House Manager 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.
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.
