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The Pillars of Our Promise
Community Leadership Wall

The Pillars of Our Promise

This is a bold spotlight for the leaders and helpers moving the mission forward with strategy, service, and steady community impact.

Leading the Charge

The strategic architects of our community impact.

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Janien Reeves

Founder

Janien Reeves

Founder

Janien Reeves is a researcher, founder, and community advocate focused on early childhood equity and family support in New Jersey. As Executive Director of Modestly Cover Diaper Bank of Essex County, she leads direct-service work that addresses diaper need, period poverty, and access gaps for families. Her leadership blends lived experience, systems thinking, and practical program design to create more dignified, responsive, and community-centered support.

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Clarissa Moore

Board Member

Clarissa Moore

Board Member

A proud product of the Newark school system, Clarissa has transformed her MBA and Psychology background into a financial revolution. As the founder/owner of Clarissa Explains Money, she has empowered thousands of women to build generational wealth. Combining her grit as a Newark native with her precision as a high-level Project Manager, she serves as a foundational pillar helping our community make, manage, and multiply their futures.

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Carol Massenburg

Board Secretary

Carol Massenburg

Board Secretary

A seasoned professional in the administrative field, Carol Massenburg now channels her expertise into the performing arts and community advocacy. Her background makes her a master of guest relations and engagement, a skill she brings to her volunteer roles with SFLA, The Dream Center, and Modestly Cover Diaper Bank. Carol is an immovable pillar of our promise, blending her administrative precision with a high-energy commitment to serving Essex County.

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Sharon Reeves

Board Secretary

Sharon Reeves

Board Secretary

Sharon Reeves is devoted to helping families in need by volunteering her expertise and advice with administration and operations within MCDBEC. She’s worked in the Civil Rights and Diversity field for over 20+ years and looks forward to assisting families in need in her hometown. She serves as a board member since 2016.

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Christinmah Johnson

Board Member

Christinmah Johnson

Board Member

Born and raised in Newark, NJ. A mother of two boys who loved raising her sons. Growing up in Newark I saw poverty in many neighborhoods and longed to help those in need and I started working with infants and toddlers in a local daycare. As an adult, I saw poverty growing and was excited to find out that there were organizations that distribute diapers for free like MCDBEC. Joining the board was a no-brainer for me because I wish I had an organization like this to make things a little easier when my children were infants.

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Diesha Carter

Board Member

Diesha Carter

Board Member

Diesha Carter is an Entrepreneur and owner of Sincerely Salads based in New Jersey. I’m dedicated to helping my community in any way I can and by sitting on the Board at MCDBEC I get a chance to see another side of poverty that affects the tiniest residents. Diesha is a new board member and looks forward to serving her community. Facts about me is I love to try new foods from around the world and I absolutely love Fashion.

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Towana Christopher

Board Member

Towana Christopher

Board Member

A Newark native, Towana has dedicated over 22 years to the Social Service sector, currently serving with the Essex County Division of Family Assistance and Benefits. Her commitment to community evolution began at 19, mentoring at-risk youth. As Co-Founder of Pi Lambda Pi, she now coordinates essential community initiatives, providing the stable leadership and visionary coordination necessary to turn organizational promises into local reality for Essex County.

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Janett Lester

Board Member

Janett Lester

Board Member

Janett Lester is a retired early childhood educator whose career has spanned over three decades. Her experience volunteering in her daughter’s Head Start classroom inspired her to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education from Essex County College and serve as a facilitator of Parents Anonymous of New Jersey. During her tenure at East Orange Child Development, she devoted 28 years as a caregiver and home visitor, where she nurtured and educated infants/toddlers while educating families about positive parenting practices, child development, and behavior.

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Faye Coward

Board Member

Faye Coward

Board Member

Faye Coward is a dedicated elementary school teacher with 21 years of experience in education. She teaches kindergarten at Lincoln Avenue School in Orange, New Jersey, where she fosters a nurturing and dynamic learning environment for her students. Passionate about education and community, Faye is deeply committed to making a positive impact both inside and outside the classroom. Her devotion to her students and her community has been the cornerstone of her career, inspiring young learners and contributing to the well-being of those around her.

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Vicki Carmichael

Board Member

>Vicki Carmichael

Board Member

Vicki Carmichael is a dedicated community leader and seasoned advocate with over 25 years of experience in fundraising and promoting nonprofit missions. After retiring from the United States Postal Service, where she served faithfully for 25 years, Vicki continues contributing as a Union delegate, tirelessly representing and supporting her former colleagues. Her passion for service extends beyond her postal career, reflecting her lifelong commitment to making a difference in her community. Vicki's extensive background in fundraising and advocacy uniquely positions her to drive impactful change. She has played a vital role in supporting the initiatives of the MCDBEC (Modestly Cover Diaper Bank of Essex County), where she volunteers her time and expertise. Through her work with MCDBEC, Vicki helps fulfill her commitment to her community, supporting families in need by providing essential items like diapers, incontinence products, and feminine hygiene supplies. Her hands-on approach to community service showcases her dedication to uplifting others and making tangible differences in the lives of vulnerable populations. When she’s not volunteering, Vicki enjoys traveling and cherishing moments with her loved ones, embracing life’s joys and creating lasting memories. Her drive, compassion, and unwavering dedication to her community continue to inspire all who have the privilege of working with her.

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VUANN FOSTER

Board Member

>VUANN FOSTER

Board Member

Vu-Ann Foster, MPH, is a distinguished public health leader and a Doctoral Candidate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Having served as the Vice Chair of the New Jersey Maternal Care Quality Collaborative (NJMCQC), she operates at the highest levels of health policy. Vu-An is a foundational pillar of our mission, dedicated to both dismantling systemic disparities and optimizing healthcare systems to architect an equitable and evidence-based future for New Jersey.

Powering the Mission

Our boots on the ground making change happen every day.

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Veronica Hordge

Distribution Support

Veronica Hordge

Distribution Support

This volunteer brings energy, compassion, and consistency to the front lines of service. They help prepare, sort, and distribute essential items so neighbors experience care that is organized, respectful, and dependable. Their presence turns mission language into real support people can feel.

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Christmnah Johnson

Community Outreach

Christmnah Johnson

Community Outreach

This volunteer helps extend the mission beyond the room by connecting with neighbors, sharing information, and supporting welcoming experiences. Their work makes access feel clearer and less intimidating, helping families understand where to go, what to expect, and how support is available.

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Patricia Keys

Distribution Support

Patricia Keys

Distribution Support

This volunteer helps create smooth, welcoming, and purposeful community events. From setup to service flow, they support the details that make people feel seen and respected. Their reliability helps transform gatherings into organized moments of connection, dignity, and meaningful support.

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Faye Coward

Sorting Team

Faye Coward

Sorting Team

This volunteer supports the careful preparation that happens before services reach the community. Their attention to sorting, organizing, and checking supplies helps make distribution smoother and more reliable. They remind us that strong impact often begins with quiet, consistent, behind-the-scenes work.

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Volunteer Name

Mission Helper

Volunteer Name

Mission Helper

This volunteer steps in wherever support is needed, bringing flexibility, care, and a team-first spirit. Their willingness to help with different tasks keeps the mission moving and reminds the community that service is not just about time given, but about showing up with purpose.