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Biographies
Agnes Adams, Third Floor Unit Leader
Jay Boll, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Wendy Champeix, Employment Coordinator
Maritza Karipidis, Thrift Store Manager
Christine Limone, Clubhouse Program Coordinator
Mayra Ossa, Program Administrator
Gillian Tanz, Supported Education Coordinator and Communications Unit Leader
Agnes Adams, Third Floor Unit Leader
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Agnes has been
with Laurel House since April 2005. She was born in Stamford and graduated
from Stamford High School. “Life has been my
greatest educator,” says Agnes, who is married, with
two daughters and three grandchildren.
Agnes is the Third Floor Unit
Leader. In 2005,
she received her Food Safety Manager certification.
Her current responsibilities are to oversee a healthy
menu to feed more than 230 people a month! She
enjoys helping others and encouraging members to feel
good about themselves and their accomplishments. Agnes
runs the social programs, including a Bingo tournament
and Movie Night once a month.
From 1992 to 1999 she raised
three foster children, all college graduates. In
her spare time, she supports her daughter to become
a Minster in their church and cares for her grandchildren.
203-961-7115, 239
203 321-6727 (cell)
agnesadams@laurelhouse.net
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Jay Boll, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
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Jay has been
with Laurel House since 1988, during which time he
has worked in every unit of the clubhouse and most
of its programs. He
was Associate Executive Director of Laurel House for
eleven years prior to being named Executive Vice President
and COO in 2007. Current responsibilities include
oversight of service programs, development, finance
and information systems. In 2006-2007, he led
Laurel House in a comprehensive planning process that
resulted in its first Five-Year Strategic Business
Plan. Prior to coming to Laurel House, he spent
six years as a Peace Corps Volunteer working with Honduran
street children. Jay has also worked as a drug
rehabilitation counselor and a chef. For two
years in 1994-1995 he took a leave of absence from
Laurel House to work for the Oak Foundation (now Oak
Philanthropies) as its Program Manager in Zimbabwe.
Jay holds a BA from the State University of New York
and an MSSW from Columbia University. His publications
include an article in The Pyschosocial Rehabilitation
Journal and a Peace Corps training manual for the Information
Collection and Exchange. Current volunteer activities
include a position on the Executive Committee of the
Roton Middle School Parent Teachers Club and financial
management of the Wellspring Trust.
203 324-1816, ext. 226
203 536-7292 (cell)
jayboll@laurelhouse.net
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Wendy Champeix, Employment Coordinator
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Wendy has been
with Laurel House since 2000. She has worked
in all aspects of employment and is currently the
Employment Program Coordinator. Her previous employment
was at Greenwich Hospital, for thirteen years as
the coordinator for the Psychiatric Out-Patient Department.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Social
Psychology from Florida Atlantic University. Wendy
has attended multiple trainings and has a national
certificate of achievement in employment services
and is trained in sales and marketing for job development.
203 324-1816, ext. 234
203 559-8717 (cell)
wendychampeix@laurelhouse.net
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Maritza Karipidis, Thrift Store Manager
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Maritza
came to Laurel House in 2007. She
began her employment as a counselor in the Third Floor
Unit and in September 2007 was promoted to the position
of Thrift Store Manager. As manager, her responsibilities
are to ensure that the store generates income to support
Laurel House’s program activities and involve members
in the operation of the store. Maritza, who is
bilingual, is active in community affairs, volunteering
in the Stamford Public Schools system and advocating
for abused women in the area. She is based at
the Laurel House Thrift Store at 501 Summer Street,
but also spends time at the main building at 1616 Washington
Blvd.
203 327-7334
maritzakaripidis@laurelhouse.net
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Christine Limone, Clubhouse Program Coordinator
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Chris has been
with Laurel House since 1996. Chris served
as the Communication Unit leader from 1997- 2000
and as Member Services Coordinator from 2000-2005,
managing the Clubhouse new member orientation program,
as well as overseeing the service planning process
for members. In 2005 Chris was promoted to Clubhouse
Program Coordinator. In her
role as Clubhouse Program Coordinator, Chris is responsible
for the Clubhouse Work Ordered Day program outcomes
and performance indicators, staff development, and
daily operations of the Clubhouse.
Chris has spearheaded many
significant Clubhouse initiatives during her tenure
at Laurel House. Most notably,
in 1999, Chris led the transition team for the Clubhouse
move to its current location at 1616 Washington Blvd.
In 2002 Chris coordinated the planning process for
Eastern Regional Clubhouse Conference, which Laurel
House hosted.
In 2003, Chris joined the Faculty
of the International Center for Clubhouse Development
and is a recognized leader in the International Clubhouse
Community.
Chris earned her MSW at the
University of Connecticut. She
is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner.
In 2007, Chris began pursuing her doctorate degree
at Fordham University in Manhattan.
Chris lives in Stamford with
her husband Mike and her dog Roger. Together, they
enjoy hiking and kayaking.
203 324-1816, ext. 246
chrislimone@laurelhouse.net
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Mayra Ossa, Program Administrator
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Mayra Ossa has
been with Laurel House since 2003, during which time
she has worked in the Employment Unit. She was
an Employment Specialist for two years prior to being
named Program Administrator in 2007. Current responsibilities
include member information systems, human resource
management and BRS (Bureau of Rehabilitation Services)
contract and billing management. Mayra holds a BA from
the University of Connecticut and a Master’s degree
in Human Resource form the University of Bridgeport.
203-324-1816 ext 227
203-898-5031 (cell)
mayraossa@laurelhouse.net
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Gillian Tanz, Supported Education Coordinator and Communications Unit Leader
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Gillian Tanz was born in New York City
and raised in Stamford. The older of two children,
she has always had a great love of art and literature,
and is happiest when helping others. She also enjoys
cooking, lively debates, and spending time with her
family and close friends. In her spare time, she volunteers
as a crisis counselor with the Sexual Assault Crisis
Center in Stamford.
Gillian’s first experience with Laurel House was as
a summer volunteer art teacher. There she met many
talented members and was introduced to the unique Clubhouse
program. After graduating from the School of the Museum
of Fine Arts in Boston and receiving her BFA from Tufts
University in May 2005, she spent time traveling in
France and volunteer teaching English in Israel.
Upon arriving home, Gillian worked as a freelance
proofreader at a marketing company in Wilton, but she
never forgot the summer she spent at Laurel House.
In January of 2007, Gillian saw that Laurel House was
hiring, and decided to set out on a new career path.
She happily accepted a position in the Employment Unit,
where she gained valuable experience job developing,
job coaching, and counseling members about their career
goals.
Gillian is glad to say that from the moment she walked
in the door of Laurel House, every day has brought
new ideas and lessons to learn. In June of 2007, Gillian
was fortunate enough to attend three-week ICCD training
at Gateway House in South Carolina. This experience
broadened her understanding of the Clubhouse model,
and was also great fun!
Gillian is thrilled to be taking
on the roles of Communications Unit Leader and Supported
Education Coordinator. She looks forward to this
new opportunity to help Laurel House members achieve
their goals and continue their recovery.
203 324-1816, ext. 233
gilliantanz@laurelhouse.net
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