Aaliyah Nyetera
WILLOW Program Mentor
Alli Nolan
Communications &
Development Anchor
Angela Eustache
Middle & High School Program Anchor
Aaliyah Nyetera
WILLOW Program Mentor
Aaliyah was born in Portland, Maine, but grew up in the Cumberland/North Yarmouth area. She spent the last two years of her high school career at Lewiston High School. Aaliyah started at Tree Street as a Mentor for the WILLOW Elementary Program in 2022. She loves to draw, listen to music, and spend time with family and friends.
Alli Nolan
Communications & Development Anchor
Born in Southern California and raised in Western Maine, Alli has lived in many places including Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Panama, but Lewiston is her favorite! She has a Bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies with a minor in Education from Colby College, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Education in Early Childhood. Alli joined Tree Street Youth in 2014 first coordinating the BRANCHES College Access Program. Since then she has taken on different roles at Tree including Development & Marketing, Elementary Program Director, Operations & HR, and directing Pre-K programming for the littlest learners at Tree. Alli loves cooking, hiking, music, and spending time with family & friends.
Angela Eustache
Middle & High School Program Anchor
Angela is originally from Lynn, Massachusetts, a small town notably characterised for its unique urban style, culture, and music. After attending high school, Angela moved to Maine to pursue higher education at Bates College. During her time at Bates, Angela became an active member not only on campus, but also in the greater Lewiston community. Angela has worked with various community organizations, identifying public problems and creating constructive approaches to address them. Her activism eventually led her to Tree Street Youth, where Angela initially worked as an intern. It was through her work that Angela developed a passion for empowering individuals. Now, as the Redwood Program Manager, Angela seeks to engage the full participation of young girls and women in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.
Boni Kabongo
BRANCHES & MAPLE Program Anchor
Chad Gray
Athletics & Wellness Anchor
Deanna Legere
REDWOOD Program Manager
Deanna Legere
REDWOOD Program Manager
Hey there! I’m Deanna!
I was adopted from Romania at a young age but I grew up in Auburn, Maine! I have always had a passion for working with children and youth at risk and I am so thrilled to be a part of tree street and their mission! In my free time, I enjoy spending time listening to country music around a campfire with friends, scouting out new bakeries and drinking coffee!
Chad Gray
Athletics & Wellness Anchor
Chad Gray, the dynamic Athletics & Wellness Anchor at Tree Street Youth, embodies the spirit of leadership, dedication, and compassion. As a former collegiate basketball player and professional basketball player with an impressive journey through Husson, Thomas, and the University of Maine Augusta, Chad’s passion for sports is matched only by his commitment to fostering wellness and positive growth in the community.
Chad’s multifaceted career extends beyond the basketball court. He has worn numerous hats with grace and excellence, from being an inspirational motivator and a former music artist to currently leading as the owner and player of the professional aba men’s basketball team, the Maine Bulldogs. Each role Chad has embraced showcases his diverse talents and his ability to connect and uplift those around him.
At Tree Street Youth, Chad leverages his rich background and genuine empathy to inspire youth to pursue their passions, overcome challenges, and achieve their fullest potential. His work is fueled by a relentless drive to help in any way possible, making him a beloved figure and an invaluable asset to our team and the community we serve.
Boni Kabongo
BRANCHES & MAPLE Program Anchor
Boni, a proud native of Portland, Maine, holds a degree in Business Management from Wheaton College, MA, with a special focus on Equality, Diversity, and Social Responsibility. He’s a versatile individual with interests ranging from music and writing novels to reading books and enjoying anime.
Boni strongly believes in the significance of youth voices, recognizing them as key drivers for shaping the future. His community activism, including involvement with organizations like Seeds of Peace and the Boys and Girls Club, highlights his commitment to identifying and solving community issues. This passion ultimately led him to Tree Street Youth, where he continues to drive positive change.
Deeqa Nur
StreetLeader Program Manager
Born and raised in Portland, ME and being a child of Somali immigrants has deeply influenced her perspective and drive to make a difference in her community.
Deeqa’s dedication extends to advocating for families in the Lewiston and Auburn Area, where she works to ensure their needs are met and their voices are heard. Deeqa is currently finishing up her degree in Social Work and is planning on utilizing the skills to make an impact in the community.
Deeqa Nur
StreetLeader Program Manager
[email protected]
Born and raised in Portland, ME and being a child of Somali immigrants has deeply influenced her perspective and drive to make a difference in her community.
Deeqa’s dedication extends to advocating for families in the Lewiston and Auburn Area, where she works to ensure their needs are met and their voices are heard. Deeqa is currently finishing up her degree in Social Work and is planning on utilizing the skills to make an impact in the community.
Hawa Abdi
WILLOW Program Assistant
Bio coming soon!
Justin Morin
WILLOW Program Anchor
[email protected]
Justin joins Tree after being in New York City for the past 10 years. During his time there, he worked with various children’s programs throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens as a teacher, director, and trainer through various organizations. He is originally from Massachusetts and went to college at the University of New Hampshire. He is the proud dog dad to a tiny chihuahua named Poppy and is looking forward to being a part of the Tree Street and Lewiston communities.
Kevin Cass
PINE Workforce Assistant and Mentor
[email protected]
Born in North Carolina, Kevin (he/him) grew up in the Cumberland/North Yarmouth area after a childhood spent living in many places, including New York, Virginia, and Germany. After graduating from high school, Kevin attended the University of Maine, Orono, where he dual majored in Social Work and English while also remaining highly involved in the University’s music program. In his senior year, Kevin interned at Food AND Medicine where he worked to build community gardens and expand food access in the Bangor area. After graduation, he worked as an Ed. Tech and librarian at Auburn Middle School before joining Tree Street in 2024. When not at work, Kevin is an avid music listener and percussionist; his other hobbies include reading, writing, and going on walks.
Marie Kabongo
BRANCHES Middle School Teacher
A true Mainer at heart, Marie Kabongo is an educator, mentor, and creative thinker who believes learning should be engaging, meaningful, and maybe even a little fun. With a B.A. in English and Education from Bowdoin College, she’s taught middle schoolers, coached college students on study skills, and even managed a rec camp—without losing her sanity. A theater enthusiast, she loves incorporating drama into lessons (because who doesn’t love a good plot twist?). When she’s not teaching, she’s probably writing, testing out a new time-management hack, or trying to perfect the best mac and cheese.
Mohamed "Mojo" Hassan
RootED Program Mentor
Originally from Sudan, Mojo grew up in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Mojo has a long music career. In 2003, Mojo joined the first Arabic hip-hop label, NAS JOTA – a label established to test and practice free speech and expression within the limited landscape of civil rights offered in Sudan. The label opened the door for a new generation of artists and paved the way for MOJO’s 2004 release of his first Arabic album, Al Shabaab, while living in the U.S.
In 2007, MOJO returned to Sudan to learn more about Sudanese history and engage with the growing artistic community. By 2013, he released his third album, Ma People – a compilation of rap, reggae, soul, and R&B dedicated to the support of the youth voice in his home country.
Mojo currently resides in Lewiston. He began working at Next STEP in 2018 for two years before moving across the street to Tree Street. Currently, Mojo works as a RootED Program Mentor as well as oversees the recording studio during after-school programming for middle and high school students.
Paige Lessard
Pre-K & WILLOW Program Mentor
Paige was born and raised in Lewiston, Maine. She went to Lewiston High School, and now she work as a Pre-K Bridge and WILLOW Program Mentor. Her favorite thing at Tree is experiencing so many different personalities!
Roy Goodale
PINE & CEDAR Workforce Initiative Anchor
[email protected]
Roy was born in Haines, Alaska but grew up in the midcoast area of Maine. After college he spent several years working as a musician, traveling and living in Austria, Texas, Wyoming, and finally back in Maine. This is where he began working with youth at an arts-based summer camp, teaching music and wood-working. He spent the better part of the next decade continuing this work with teenagers in the mental health, education, enrichment, and career readiness fields. Roy joined Tree Street in 2022 to help launch the PINE Program, assisting young people with learning new skills to be successful in their work and career goals.
Taheim Brimage
WILLOW Program Mentor
[email protected]
Ty is one of our astounding alum. Born and raised right here in Lewiston, Maine, Ty has had an important influence in shaping many programs at Tree Street from their beginning, including the SEQUOIA Program and Next STEP. Ty is passionate about traveling and hopes to move to New York City in the near future. He serves as a mentor to many of our youth; Ty is often the first smiling face they see after school and his uplifting spirit is a warm welcome after school.
Fiki Hunt
BRANCHES Program Manager
[email protected]
Adopted from Ethiopia and raised in the vibrant and diverse landscape of New York City, Fiki developed a deep appreciation for the importance of community, identity, and well-being from an early age.
Known for her warm, approachable personality, Fiki is dedicated to building supportive environments where students can thrive emotionally and socially. Her hands-on experience in developing mental health programs reflects her deep understanding of the challenges young people face today, and she is constantly looking for innovative ways to help them manage stress and build resilience.
Fiki began volunteering at Tree Street in the fall of 2022 and quickly fell in love with the community. In 2024, she officially joined the team, taking on a role in the BRANCHES program
Isaac Levinger
BRANCHES Program Manager
Finding his way to Maine from Maryland, Isaac started coming to Tree Street in 2021 as a volunteer from Bates College and has not stopped coming ever since! He fell in love with the community that Tree Street created, and since graduating this past spring, he is so excited to get to officially be part of the team. Isaac looks forward to motivating students to achieve academically and learn about taking responsibility as young adults. He gets really happy when anybody asks to do their math homework with him, and he also enjoys hanging out with loved ones, doing an endurance sport, and learning languages.
Kashara Washington
Pre-K Bridge Program Manager
[email protected]
Kashara has experience running both summer camps and afterschool programming for youth, and previously has worked for the YMCA as a Pre-K Lead Teacher. In her role working with Pre-K students, she especially enjoys supporting students to develop their social emotional, fine motor, and self help skills.
Kashara is excited to implement new educational activities that gets kids, parents, and staff excited to have fun and take things that grow with them throughout their years. Kashara loves to read, draw, go swimming, and go camping.
Kyra Bleicher
OWL Program Lead Teacher
Kyra grew up in the hills and forests of western Massachusetts. She developed a love of music making, writing, whitewater kayaking, beekeeping, and gardening. After earning an Environmental Studies degree at Bates College, she deepened connections in Maine, which led her to stay in the area. She worked with several groups to improve access and justice in local food systems. After working on a masters degree in Science Teaching and Learning at Antioch University of New England, Kyra worked as part of a team of educators for eight graders at NextSTEP, in Lewiston, during the 2023-2024 school year. The following year, she co-led a new pilot program called OWL, based at Tree Street Youth, for middle school students. Kyra is grateful to be part of the team at Tree Street Youth, which she finds to support so many youth and to foster a sense of belonging.
Mary Acheson-Field
Finance Anchor
[email protected]
Mary (she/her) was born in Washington State, but moved to Maine when she was three. She has lived in various parts of the world growing up, but considers Maine home. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Community, Youth & Education Studies and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Mary originally joined the Tree community as a Development and Marketing Associate and the Administrative Assistant at Next STEP, before taking on the role of Finance Anchor. She is passionate about both the meaningful and silly parts of working with youth, especially in alternative educational and community spaces. When not at work, you can find Mary indulging in all sorts of food, being outside, dancing, and spending time with friends and family. Mary is excited to be part of the Tree Street team and to continue working and supporting the incredible youth of Lewiston!
Nick Witherbee
OWL Program Lead Teacher
[email protected]
Nick (he/him) grew up in Portland, Maine and attended the University of Vermont. After graduating in 2017, he worked in both schools and after-school programs across different communities in Southern Maine. His main focus has been to help teens navigate mental health and behavioral challenges. Since joining the team in January of 2024, he has been engaged with community through both Tree Street Youth and Next STEP.
He lives in Portland with his wife Emily and their dog, Dunkel. Nick loves trying new things and will talk at length about birds, photography, basketball, and food.
Rockell Rembert
Bigs Mentor
[email protected]
My name is Rockell Rembert and I was born and raised in Lewiston, Maine. I first started at Tree Street Youth in the fall of 2023 as a Cedar Intern. I have now begun working as a “Bigs” Mentor that manages the Chill room on our middle and high school side.
Samantha Ogwudiegwu
WILLOW Assistant Program Manager
Bio coming soon!
Tula Fields
RootED Program Ed Tech
Tula was born and raised in Maine. She loves traveling and experiencing new cultures, digital design/art, singing/composing music and gaming. She started working at Tree Street in 2021 as a Street Leader, moved up to a CEDAR intern in 2022 and has been working as an Ed Tech for the elementary RootED program since 2023. Tula loves working at Tree Street because she says the Tree community is a beautiful and welcoming place where there’s endless heart warming moments. Tula is known for her calming and patient presence in the building and is always ready to jump into any and all situations. Tula’s future dreams are to work as a teacher in a Montessori school in New York City, along with traveling the world.
Flor Amaya Soto
RootED Elementary Educator
[email protected]
Flor is a proud Latina mom of three. She grew up in Chile and Belgium where she developed her love for multicultural settings and people. Originally a large animal veterinarian, Flor moved to Colorado where she got her Master’s degree in Animal Sciences at Colorado State University and eventually found her way to Lewiston, Maine in 2017. Since then, she has formed part of the Tree Street Youth family, first as a parent, then as a board member in 2021, and currently works as a teacher for the elementary kids of the RootED program.
Flor is a strong advocate for families with neurodivergent kids and she is an avid cook and baker and enjoys entertaining the people she loves.
Julia Sleeper-Whiting
Executive Director
[email protected]
Julia is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Tree Street Youth Center. Born and raised in Bangor area, she initially moved to Lewiston as an undergraduate at Bates College. During her time as a student, she began connecting to the Downtown Lewiston community youth through service learning opportunities afforded to her as a Psychology and Education major. Over the past 10 years, Julia has continued to build on the relationships formed as an undergrad, seeking to provide valuable programming to at-risk youth in Lewiston-Auburn. After completing her Masters in Leadership and Organizational Studies at USM-LAC, she began the present-day Tree Street Youth Center.
Keenan Shields
RootED Program Anchor
[email protected]
Keenan (he/him) grew up in Maine, moved to Rochester, NY for middle and high school, and found his way back to Maine to go to Bates College. After graduating in 2018, he started working at Tree Street in the BRANCHES program. He lives in Lewiston with his cat, Kitty Jeep, AKA Beepers. When not at work, he’s immersed in his passions, cooking and reading. Food is his love language: it’s one of the ways he most shows his care. Keenan also loves dance, hosting, and being outside.
Lanyha Spearman
Restorative Anchor at Next STEP
Born and raised in Lewiston, Maine, Lanyha graduated from Lewiston High School in 2020 and is currently pursuing a degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies at the University of Southern Maine.
Known for her extroverted, sociable nature and love of the outdoors, Lanyha values cultivating deep connections with those around her. She has always been drawn to helping others become the best versions of themselves. From a young age, she embraced the importance of independence and personal accountability, qualities that have shaped her passion for supporting others.
Her favorite quote, by Maya Angelou, reflects her values: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
In her professional journey, Lanyha aspires to be a leader who uplifts communities, fostering growth and connection. She is dedicated to empowering others and creating positive, lasting change.
Max Bullett
Future Foundations Program Anchor
[email protected]
A Lewiston-Auburn native, Max (he/him) was raised in a single parent household by a mother who values non-traditional education and encouraged all of her children to pursue their own various interests. As a teenager, he struggled to engage with traditional schools and created his own unique pathway combining part-time public schooling with homeschooling. This pathway allowed him time to engage with classical music at a competitive level, as well as pursue his passions for art and fashion design.
Upon completing his GED, Max attended The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and spent subsequent years living all over the country before permanently returning to Lewiston in 2015. Since then, his passion for youth development coupled with experience navigating unique educational pathways has allowed him to drive innovative programming at both Tree Street Youth and Next STEP.
Oren Stevens
Operations Anchor
[email protected]
Oren Stevens, Iowa born and raised, but has called Maine home for the last twenty-five years. For the past decade, Oren has been dedicated to social and emotional learning and advocacy for at-risk youth in educational settings. With an MFA and extensive training in Motivational Interviewing, expressive arts and deep listening are his tools of choice. An acting member of Portland Playback theater, Oren can be found improv singing, dancing, or telling a story just about anywhere.
Rowan Fogg
RootED Ed Tech
[email protected]
Rowan was born in Lewiston, Maine and grew up in Auburn across the river. He graduated from Edward Little High School in 2021 and is studying Human Services through Central Maine Community College. Rowan enjoys being active, whether spending time outside or playing basketball on the court. Rowan is passionate about working with youth and finds purpose in supporting and leading others. Rowan became involved with Tree Street Youth through a practicum course at Central Maine Community College. Rowan plans to continue his education by studying Social Behavioral Sciences, planning to one day become a counselor or therapist.
Sophie Moreau
WILLOW Program Mentor
Sophie was born and raised in Maine. She enjoys traveling and exploring new scenery. During her leisure time, she also enjoys cooking and trying new cuisines. Sophie began her journey with Tree Street as an intern, as a prerequisite for her Human Services degree. During this time, Sophie discovered that she was passionate about working with youth. She says, “It is immensely rewarding to work with children, and watch them grow, develop and flourish.”
Zach Knight
WILLOW Program Mentor
[email protected]
Zach grew up in the Midcoast Maine area and graduated from Rockland High School. Zach started working at Tree Street as a CEDAR intern 2015 and left in 2018, which was his first time working with children. In December 2021, Zach returned as a part time staff member, a Mentor on the Littles side. Zach enjoys playing sports and video games.
Looking to join us?
We are periodically expanding our team from AmeriCorps members to professional staff to summer interns, we’re looking for you!
