Contact

Feel free to contact us at Homefirst with any questions.

Homefirst Staff:

Administration

Ellen McGovern, M.S.W
Executive Director
908-753-4001, ext. 13
ellen@homefirstinc.org

Kathy Higgins, CPA
Director of Finance
908-753-4001, ext. 17
kathy@homefirstinc.org

Social Services

Melinda Allen-Grote, CSW, M.A.
Senior Director Social Services
908 769-6510
melinda@homefirstinc.org

Jennie Crespo
Director of Supportive Housing
908 755-2054
jennie@homefirstinc.org

Agness McLean
Director, Family Success Center
(908) 753-4001, ext. 26
agness@homefirstinc.org

Bethany Griggs
Case Manager, Supportive Housing
(908) 753-4001, ext. 18
Bethany@homefirstinc.org

LaQuanna Walker
Coordinator Interfaith Hospitality Network/Transitional Housing
(908) 753-4001, ext. 11 (IHN) , ext 25 (TH)
LaQuanna@homefirstinc.org

Development

Susan Oldroyd Laffler
Director of Development & Public Relations 
908-753-4001, ext. 20
susan@homefirstinc.org

Rick Porter
Deputy Director of Development & Public Relations
908-753-4001, ext. 24
rick@homefirstinc.org

Volunteer Services and Interfaith Hospitality Network

Amy Van Pelt 
Director of Volunteer Programs 
908-753-4001, ext. 12
amy@homefirstinc.org

Board of Trustees:

Casey Woodruff
Term of Office: 2008-2010
President/Chair Executive Committee
Bramnick, Rodriquez, Mitterhoff,
Grabbis, Woodruff

Nelson Espeland
Term of Office: 2007-2009
Vice President
Allstate NJ Insurance Company
Exclusive Agent

Jerry Bongiovanni
Term of Office: 2007-2009
Treasurer/Chair Finance Committee
Homefirst Host Coordinator
Deacon, St. James Church Springfield

Lisa Glover
Term of Office: 2009-2011
Secretary / Co-Chair Development Committee
Former Media Relations Director
Master’s Program and Member Fountain Baptist C. Summit

Ellen Catlin
Term of Office: 2009-2011
Human Resource Committee

Richard Szeto
Term of Office: 2008-2010
Housing Committee
MGR Partners

Eric Levine
Term of Office: 2008-2010
Finance Committee
Lindabury, McCormick & Estabrook
Partner Attorney

Judith Musicant
Term of Office: 2007-2009
Human Resource Committee
Attorney/Potter

James Ooi
Term of Office: 2009-2011
Finance Committee
Credit Suisse
Managing Director

Michael Simmons
Term of Office: 2009-2011
Finance Committee

Marybeth Lapham
Term of Office: 2009-2011
Co-Chair Development Committee

Rabbi Leah Doberne-Schor
Term of Office: 2009-2011
Temple Emanu-El, Westfield

Maureen Erwin
Term of Office: 2009-2011
Housing Committee Wells Fargo
_________________________________________________________________

Ex. Officio:
Lawrence Woodruff, Esq.
Attorney: Private Practice