Erica Kung,
ABC Group Erica Kung received her B.A. in Psychology and in
Child Development from Tufts University. She currently works as an interactive producer
with the Barbarian Group. Erica has been a volunteer at Project HAPPY since the
spring term of 2007.
Liza M Bridich,
ABC Group Liza Bridich currently works at Dennis Wedlick Architects,
LLC. as a designer/staff architect. She grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but moved
to New York City to attend Fordham University where she studied Visual Arts and
concentrated in architecture. She has lived in New York City now five and a half
years and is working towards becoming a certified architect. Liza is began volunteering
with Project HAPPY in the spring term of 2007.
Cassie Sutherland,
ABC Group II Cassi Sutherland earned her BA in health promotion
and exercise science from the University of Iowa in 2006. She is currently working
on her doctorate in physical therapy at Columbia University's College of Physicians
and Surgeons. Cassi began her experience with Project HAPPY in the fall of 2006
with the swim program and now is the head supervisor of the ABC Groups.
Valarie Paik,
Juniors Valerie Paik is a Sales Associate and Web Developer
at TAG Online, a web company in Upper Montclair, NJ. She also teaches and performs
belly dance in the New York/New Jersey area. She has been a Project HAPPY volunteer
since the fall term of 2003 and is the Head Counselor of the Juniors Group.
“Having the opportunity to volunteer with these amazing participants and staff members
has been an incredibly enriching and invaluable experience.”
Irene Lopez,
New Group Irene Lopez received her B.A. in English Language
Arts and her M.S. in Childhood Education from Hunter College. She currently works
as a fourth grade teacher in a public school in LIC, Queens. Irene has been working
with the New Group at Project HAPPY since the fall term of 2001.
Steve Alchus,
Group Facilitator Steve Alchus is pursuing his Masters Degree in Social
Work at Hunter College. He currently works for YAI/National Institute for People
with Disabilities. His work includes multi-sensory training, nutrition and wellness,
stress reduction, vocational mentoring, and life skills preparation to YAI participants.
Steve has been the Group Facilitator at Project HAPPY since the spring term of 2007.
At Project HAPPY he works within group settings such as arts & crafts and yoga,
in order to foster mutual aid among the group members.
Nicholas Dunkley,
Aquatics Director
Natalie Palmer,
Aquatics Assistant Natalie Palmer received her B. A. from Purchase College.
She has worked in the aquatics field for over fifteen years, specializing in instruction
for infants and toddlers as well as special needs students. Natalie has been the
Adaptive Aquatics Assistant at Project HAPPY since the fall term of 1998. She is
a certified Aquatics Coach for the Special Olympics and the Athletic Facility Coordinator
for St. Bartholomew’s Church. Natalie recently started and has become the owner
of the swim school at St. Bartholomew's Churc and is the Adaptive Aquatics Director
for SNACK (Special Needs Activity Center for Kids).
Brad Keller,
Frisbee Director Brad Keller has been exploring the many benefits of
flying disc sports and activities for more than thirty years. In 1981, using his
experience as a world class flying disc athlete, Brad developed a therapeutic recreation
program that incorporates flying-disc skills and techniques, for Project HAPPY.
In addition to Project HAPPY, Brad has conducted his flying disc workshops at numerous
events for the City of New York Parks & Recreation and public schools. Brad works
for Special Citizens Futures Unlimited, Inc., as a job developer for adults with
autism spectrum disorder.
David Deas,
Basketball Coach David Deas received a BS in Health and Physical Education
with a concentration in Recreation Administration from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.
He currently works for NYC Parks and Recreation as a Playground Associate. He helps
to provide adaptive recreation to NYC recreation centers and parks. David became
a participant of Project HAPPY in 1991 and has been a volunteer since in 1999.
Chris Noel,
Basketball Coach Chris Noel received his BBA in Marketing from the University
of Massachusetts-Amherst in 1998. He is currently on leave from his job as an Advertising
Sales Representative with Earl Graves Publishing Co. after an accidental fall in
2003 resulting in a spinal cord injury. While Chris rehabs through his injury, he
has volunteered at Project HAPPY since the fall term of 2005.
Joe Lyons,
Basketball Coach Joe Lyons graduated with a B.A. in Economics from
the University of Chicago in 2000. He also was a Varsity Football player at Chicago
and was named to the University Athletic Association All-Academic team. He has worked
in finance since graduating from Chicago, first at Goldman Sachs and since 2003
at Morgan Stanley. He is currently a Vice President in the Fixed Income division
of Morgan Stanley in structured credit sales. Joe has been a volunteer at Project
Happy teaching basketball since Spring 2006.
Tamara Morgan,
Arts & Crafts Supervisor Tamara Morgan is pursuing her Bachelors Degree in
Psychology at Hunter College. She is currently working for the Department ICIT at
Hunter College. At Project HAPPY Tamara is the Arts and Crafts Supervisor. She has
been part of the Project HAPPY staff since the fall term of 2005 and plans to become
an Art Therapist.
Argelia Byers,
Dance Coordinator Argelia Byers received her Associate
degree in Fashion Design from Bauder College, GA and a B.A. in Psychology and Spanish
from Hunter College. She is currently enrolled in an online Master’s program in
Business Administration. Argelia currently substitute teacher in New York City’s
Board of Education. She has been teaching aerobics and dance at Project HAPPY since
the fall term of 2000.
Anthony Peters,
Weight Training Director Anthony Peters received his Masters
in Occupational Therapy from SUNY Downstate Medical Center. He has worked as the
weight training instructor at Project HAPPY since the fall term of 2005. Anthony
plans individual exercise programs as well as group exercises for the participants
at Project HAPPY. He currently works as an occupational therapist in an acute inpatient
rehbilitation unit.
Peter Theis,
Bowling Coordinator Peter Theis originally hails from Kansas and is an
attorney with a non-profit law firm. He has been a volunteer with Project HAPPY
since the fall term of 2005.
Columbia University
Physical Therapy Students,
Yoga Instructors
The physical therapy students of Columbia University implemented a Yoga class during
the fall term of 2006.
