Meet Our Caseworkers

Gil, MSW, LSW
Senior Casemanager
Gil, MSW, LSW is a graduate of Rutgers University. Since 1990, he has served in numerous progressive leadership roles within the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)-NJ Chapter, and is an active member of the Continuing Education Committee. Gil also serves on many local and statewide committees focusing on the needs of children, families and diverse communities. Gil first began working for Emmanuel Cancer Foundation in 1998 as a caseworker in the Southern Region. Presently, as ECF’s Senior Case Manager, Gil works in partnership with the other case manager and the ECF Executive Director in guidance and supervision of the organization’s caseworkers and helping with policy development. Gil also works for the New Jersey Judiciary System as a Division Manager.

Ilene, LSW
Casemanager
Ilene is a certified social worker with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Monmouth University and a Master’s in social work from Temple University. She has been a social worker for over 20 years with experience in long term care/discharge planning, Medicaid/Medicare managed care, people with developmental disabilities and mentally-ill chemical abusers. Ilene has been with ECF since 2003 and loves working with the kids who have cancer and their families in Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union counties. In her supervisory role at ECF, Ilene also enjoys assisting with case management oversight.

Zuleima, MSW
Caseworker
Zuleima, MSW, graduated from NYU’s Silver school of Social Work, specializing in individual and group therapy, and received her Bachelors in Social Work from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Zuleima has worked with both children and adolescents, most recently as a Medical Case Manager for the Ryan White program. Zuleima is excited to be a part of ECF and to work with families in need of assistance and emotional support.

Eileen, MA, LAC
Caseworker
Eileen received her Bachelor’s degree in elementary and early childhood education from Brooklyn College in NY and then taught elementary school. She went back to school and earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from The College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, NJ. She currently holds a license as an Associate Counselor in the state of NJ. Eileen feels that her role as a Caseworker with the children and families in the Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties adds another dimension to her life.

Javier, MS, LAC
Caseworker
Javier received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kean University in Union, NJ and earned a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ. He currently holds a license as an Associate Counselor in Marriage and Family Therapy from the state of NJ. Javier is bilingual, and for the past seven years he has worked with children, adolescents and adults diagnosed with severe developmental disabilities and mental illness. Javier feels that his role as an ECF caseworker with children and families is meaningful and empowering.

Latrice, MA
Caseworker
Hello my name is Latrice. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in Organizational/Interpersonal Communications from The College of New Jersey and a Master’s Degree in Sociology and Social Justice from Kean University. I enjoy working with children of all ages, servicing my community, and advocating for the needs of others. I am excited to be a part of the team at the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation.

Theresa, MSW
Caseworker
Theresa earned her MSW with a concentration in Policy Practice and Advocacy from Fordham University. She also received a BSW from Rutgers University and further advanced her education with post graduate studies at Montclair State University with a Certificate in Adolescent Advocacy. Theresa brings with her 15 years of servicing children and families, most recently at DCP&P in numerous capacities including Investigator, Caseworker and Adolescent Worker. Theresa enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends. Theresa is excited to be a part of the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation Team and is looking forward to bringing her skills and knowledge to be a great asset to the families being served.

Emily, MSW
Caseworker
Emily received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Cedarville University and her Master’s degree at Southeastern University. Emily has always been passionate about working with children and families in the medical field. She is grateful for the opportunity to encourage and impact the lives of those she will serve at Emmanuel Cancer Foundation.

ViAnna, MSW
Caseworker
ViAnna received a Master’s in Social Work from the University of South Carolina-Columbia, specializing in children, youth and families. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Montclair State University, majoring in Family and Child Studies while pursuing a minor in Sociology. ViAnna has dedicated the majority of her life to making a positive difference in the lives of children and their families.

Darlene, MSW, LSW
Caseworker
Darlene received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Rowan University and her masters in social work from Rutgers University. She began her career working with special needs children in a public school and then worked as a support for foster parents and facilitating family reunification meetings. As a licensed oncology social worker for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Darlene helped families through their treatment process, including connecting them to wonderful resources like the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation. Darlene enjoys being with family, reading and jogging. She is thrilled to be part of such a wonderful team and supporting and encouraging ECF families.

Jennifer, LSW
Caseworker
Jennifer has an MSW from Rutgers University and a BA in psychology from Rowan University. Jennifer has eighteen years of experience working with children, adolescents and their families with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Her experience also includes working at the county crisis screening center and providing counseling to adolescents.

Ana, MA
Caseworker
Ana earned her Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. She has worked in a school setting as an outreach worker, an advocate, and at-risk support staff, providing services in both the home and school for the students and their families. In addition, she has worked as a visiting coach for the county, assisting at risk families. Ana is bilingual in English and Spanish. She enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her family and friends. Ana is excited to join the ECF team.

Michele, LPC
Caseworker
Michele is a Licensed Professional Counselor in NJ and a Certified Diplomate with the American Psychotherapy Association. Since 1998, she has worked with hundreds of children and families providing counseling, advocacy, and emotional support for ECF. She also maintains a private counseling practice in West Orange.

Dina, MSW, LSW
Caseworker
Dina has dedicated her 25-year career in social work to assisting children and families in crisis. She has worked in a number of capacities including counseling and crisis intervention. Dina received her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Rutgers University and is a Certified Health Coach. She enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, writing, and cooking. Dina is thrilled to be joining the ECF team and grateful for the opportunity to serve ECF’s families.

Amy, LSW
Caseworker
Amy is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of NJ. She has been a Caseworker in Middlesex and Monmouth counties since 2004. She holds an MSW from Temple University. Her work experience includes employment at The Division of Youth and Family Services as well as in a hospital as a Medical Social Worker.

Denise, MHS
Caseworker
Denise earned her Master’s degree in Human Services with a Concentration in Counseling from Lincoln University, PA. Denise has worked with children and families in a school setting providing counseling, case management and serving as an advocate. In addition she has worked in providing intensive in-home services to parents of youth at risk of being placed. Denise is bilingual and fluent in Spanish. Denise enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, as well as traveling and baking when her time permits. She is extremely excited to be joining the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation team and looking forward to working with the families.

Caitlin, LCSW
Caseworker
Caitlin earned a BA degree in Psychology from Rutgers University and a Masters degree in Social Work from New York University. She holds a Clinical Social Work License (LCSW) in the state of New Jersey. Caitlin has worked in several healthcare settings with a main focus on children, adolescents and adults dealing with chronic and serious illnesses. Caitlin is equipped with the training and experience to successfully help ECF children and their families cope with their pediatric cancer diagnosis and effectively support them through this time.
Contact us by email by clicking button below,
or by phone at (908) 322-4323
Follow Us
ECF has helped me tremendously with the support of my Caseworker, Eileen, as well as the volunteers with the holiday wish lists and in making sure Ty had a wonderful birthday every year. And when times were really hard, ECF helped out with meals and food. I don’t think I would have made it through without having to talk to someone who understood. Thank you ECF
Where to Find Us
Headquarters
77 Brant Ave.
Suite 304
Clark, NJ 07066
(908) 322-4323
Fax: (732) 943-7529
Joann Passantino
Executive Director, ext. 16
Victoria Shestack Aronoff
Development Director, ext. 15
Trish Picone
Accountant, ext. 12
Gloria Pocchio
Office Manager, ext. 10
Central Regional Center
77 Brant Ave.
Suite 304
Clark, NJ 07066
(908) 322-4323 x17
Barbara Kopel
Sr. Central Regional Director
Southern Regional Center
451 Beech Ave.
Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097
(856) 853-4803
Mary Ann Sullivan
Southern Regional Director
Eastern Regional Center
1710 Highway 71
Suite 2
Wall, NJ 07719
(732) 282-2324
Rosemarie Contreras
Eastern Regional Director
Northern Regional Center
174 Paterson Ave.
PO Box 212
Midland Park, NJ 07432
(201) 612-8118
Inessa Rome
Northern Regional Director
The Emmanuel Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations to the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law. Tax ID #22-2459774