John Fisher-Klein lives in Wilmington, Delaware with his husband of nearly 13 years and their dog Cricket and cat Kipo. He is a proud lifelong Delawarean, having grown up and attended public schools in Sussex County. John earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware in Family Studies and his master’s degree from Wilmington University in the Administration of Human Services. He also has certificates in nonprofit management and finance from the University of Delaware.
For JFS Delaware, John oversees Human Resources, Risk Management, Quality Improvement, IT, and Facilities. His focus is on helping the agency become more internally efficient, developing more strategic systems and structure, and focus on forwarding the goals in our strategic plan.
While always focused on serving the community, John has had varied professional experiences. He began his career as an intern at AIDS Delaware, a statewide nonprofit HIV/AIDS service organization. After graduating from UD, John was offered a full time position as a program manager with the organization. He held other positions over the next few years, and eventually earned the role of executive director.
John left AIDS Delaware for Newark Day Nursery and Children’s Center (NDNCC), a similar-sized nonprofit (in terms of budget) with a very different mission. At NDNCC John found a passion for early childhood education as a multisolver. From NDNCC, he would go on to hold several positions in the Delaware Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning, eventually becoming the director of that office.
Most recently, John has been focused on advocacy and public policy at the United Way of Delaware. He also has experience as an adjunct instructor at Wilmington University, has played a key role in strategic planning for various nonprofits, and has served on several Boards of Directors.
Hulda, or Chem, is a Case Manager for the JFS Refugee Integration Support Effort program. Her hobbies include cooking, traveling, painting, and archery.
Naheed is a Case Manager for the JFS RISE program. She holds a Business Management degree from a university in Afghanistan.
Naheed’s hobbies include swimming and spending time with her kids. She is a single mom with two boys, ages 15 and 5.
Maria is a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner for the JFS COMPASS program. She holds degrees from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Wilmington University, and Widener Law School. Prior to coming to JFS, Maria had a wonderful career as a nurse for 50 years.
Maria’s hobbies include watching Hallmark and Pure Flix, and serving at her church. She has three children, three bonus children, and nine grandchildren.
Licenses and Certifications
Populations and Issues
Serah is a Case Manager for the JFS RISE (Refugee Integration Support Effort) program. She is currently a grad student and will complete her Master of Business Analytics and Information Management in May from the University of Delaware.
Serah’s hobbies include watching documentaries and playing volleyball.
Lauren is a doctoral occupational therapy student from Thomas Jefferson University who will be working with JFS COMPASS as part of her capstone work. At JFS, she will be working as an extension of Jefferson Elder Care, providing COMPASS patients and caregivers with individualized occupational therapy services and leading Memory Cafe alongside one of her cohort members.
Lauren’s passion for helping individuals with dementia and their caregivers has largely been inspired by her family’s recent experience helping her grandmother. As she has seen their struggle firsthand, she understands the challenges associated with caring for a person with dementia. Lauren’s aim at COMPASS to support the growth of caregiver skills that are essential to the caregiving role and maximize their ability to connect with their loved one. She believes that her previous work experience will serve her well in this role, and she is excited to apply that knowledge through the lens of occupational therapy.
Lauren has held a lifelong passion for serving others, due in large part to her parents, who showed Lauren and her brother the wonders of volunteering with Special Olympics Delaware. She loves helping others pursue their goals, celebrate the wins, and learn from the losses. She leans on her ability to connect with others, and she is excited to meet you all. In her spare time, you can find Lauren exercising, hanging with her cat, baking seasonal bundt cakes, and visiting with family as much as possible.
Lloyd is an Occupational Therapy Intern, for the JFS COMPASS program. His role is to embed his OT lens and perspectives to collaborate and advocate for client’s quality of life and problem-solving with caregivers. Additionally, he is working to lead and explore potentials and directions of the Memory Café and other gatherings.
Lloyd is currently a third year occupational therapy doctorate student at Thomas Jefferson University. He previously completed fieldwork experience at Occupational Therapy of Delaware in Milford, Acts Retirement Community Country House in Greenville, and worked as the International Student Liaison & Career Ambassador at Thomas Jefferson University.
Beside devoting time and effort to his current career development, Lloyd spends a lot of time reading mythology, history, and fiction, and computer programming and virtual poster design. All of his family members are now residing in Chengdu, China, where the hotpot originated and Panda Base is located!
One fun fact about Lloyd is that he used to have a turtle pet named Tubi that can run faster than a puppy in race!
Melissa is a clinical social work intern for the JFS COMPASS program. She is also the course assistant for the Savvy Caregiver course, helps with the Memory Café, and more generally supports COMPASS families in navigating the difficulties they face. Melissa’s undergraduate work was completed at Penn State University, from which she has a BA in Anthropology and another in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies. She also has an MA in Transpersonal Ecopsychology from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Currently, she is working on an MSS in Social Work at Bryn Mawr College.
When she gets free time, Melissa likes to write, read, practice martial arts, and play with her dogs. Spending time with friends and being in nature is also very important to her. One fun fact about Melissa is that she published a nonfiction book with her mentor on nature connection and navigating life’s challenges in 2020.
Amie works passionately with older adults and their families in our community. With the help of her corps of volunteers, she supports clients all across the spectrum, whether it is food delivery, rides for medical appointments, tech support for video calls, helping to return home after hospitalization, or just a friendly call to talk about grandchildren or the weather.
“They inspire and motivate me every day to be present, compassionate, patient, and kind,” she says.
Amie has had several careers in her life including camp counselor, television producer, administrator at a preschool, and, now, working with older adults.
“They all require patience, enthusiasm, quick-thinking, and a sense of humor,” Amie shares. “There is never a boring day when you are of service to the community!”
Amie has been married for 17 years to Bob Hronsky; they have a son named Ethan who is the light of their lives!