Who’s New at JFCS?

Join us in welcoming some of the new staff that have joined JFCS in the last few months!

Andrew (Drew) Yingling recently joined the Immigrant and Refugee Department of JFCS after spending several years working and studying abroad. Upon graduation from Bucknell University in 2015, he moved to the US territory of American Samoa where he taught second-grade English at Tafuna Elementary School. He then moved to rural Somaliland to teach high school mathematics at Abaarso School of Science and Technology. His two years abroad allowed him to experience the disparities in international development. However, he recognized that in order to affect change on a systems-level, he needed to advance his own education. This led him to complete a master of science in international development management at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He applied his new degree abroad as an M&E consultant for USAID/OFDA-funded humanitarian and development projects throughout both Iraqi Kurdistan and Somaliland. Outside of work and school, Drew is an avid traveller, marathon runner, dog lover, and connoisseur of all things spicy. He is looking forward to making friends of his colleagues and learning the best food haunts in Pittsburgh. 

Kyleigh Hall is a Minnesota native who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a Bachelors of Science in Sociology, and a double minor in Psychology and Ethnic and Racial Studies. While working full time, she is also attending Duquesne University part time to pursue a certification in paralegal studies. Kyleigh originally moved to Pittsburgh to join AmeriCorps where she served for two years in immigration and refugee services. In her free time, Kyleigh enjoys exploring the diversity of the Pittsburgh neighborhoods, searching for the next local coffee shop to visit, and cooking something new in the kitchen.

Natalya Shisman recently began working with the Immigrant Services and Connections program as a Service Coordinator. She says, “It is a great honor to be working within an organization that helped my family immigrate from the Ukraine over 30 years ago.” Her educational background includes a Master’s in Social Work, Bachelor’s in Applied Developmental Psychology, License in Practical Nursing, and Associate’s in Child and Family Studies. With her vast amount of experience she has had the opportunity to work in many non-profit organizations in Pittsburgh such as the Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse, Friendship Circle, and Beth Shalom to name a few. During her free time she enjoys scouting out new trails to explore in and around the Pittsburgh region. She also enjoys camping, bonfires, and nature. Lastly, some of her favorite moments are from my travels. She says, “I am extremely proud to work at Jewish Family and Community Services and that I am able to utilize my Russian speaking skills for the first time in a professional setting!”

Samantha Monks, or Sam as she likes to be called, is one of the new program assistants at the Food Pantry as of last September. She graduated as a Master of International Development (MID) with a major in human security from GSPIA at Pitt in April 2020. Her research focused on post-conflict societies, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, human rights abuses, sexual and gender-based violence, and mass displacement. She’s very interested in how storytelling ties into destigmatization, restorative justice, and individual and communal healing. She interned with the Gender Team at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York analyzing international programs that mainstream gender equality and with Refugee Law Project in Uganda and Rwanda researching genocide and the reintegration of ex-child soldiers. Before pursuing her master’s degree, she taught English as a Second Language for five years in the United States, France, and Spain. Originally from Doylestown, Pennsylvania, she has been happy to call Pittsburgh home since she came to Pitt as an undergrad in 2009 (Go Steelers! N’at). She considers herself a bit of a Jack-of-All-Trades (Master-of-None), but her most beloved hobby would have to be photography. She also loves playing piano, camping, disc golfing, and watching documentaries about space and deep sea marine life (two things I struggle to fully comprehend). She says, “I look forward to meeting more of the JFCS team as our paths cross!”

Tucker Feltz was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995. Prior to coming to JFCS, he spent 20 years working in healthcare sales/account management. He’s an avid hockey (Penguins) fan. Tucker is married with 2 teenage daughters and lives in Canonsburg. He loves spending time with his family and their two dogs, Lefty and Archie.

Gerry Ginter grew up in Fort Lauderdale, FL and although she’s been in Pittsburgh for over 30 years, she still misses the beach. She says,”I can’t wait to be able to travel again to get my toes in the sand!” Gerry is married with two college-aged girls and a dog named Sophie. The four of them are all studying/working from home so we’re spending a lot of time together these days. She began my career as a tax accountant in an International Public Accounting Firm and later switched to work for Non Profit Organizations. She says, “I am really excited to be working for JFCS in the accounting department and am looking forward to meeting the rest of the gang when it’s safe to do so.” She says her family can be considered  “foodies” and she likes to cook and bake and share her creations with family and friends. She obviously loves the sunshine and beach as well as hiking, biking and playing board games.

Noorulhaq (Noor) Fazly is originally from Afghanistan. He has a bachelor in law and political science from Herat University. Currently, he is studying Cybersecurity at CCAC, then will continue higher education to the University of Pittsburgh. Noor came to the USA in 2016 as part of the Special Immigrant Visa program. Prior to coming to America, he worked for the US Department of State’s US Embassy Kabul as a legal assistant. Most of his prior work was engaged in human rights advocacy. He speaks Dari, Pashto, fluent English and conversational French. He has been involved with JFCS with language interpretation since 2018. Under ideal weather, he plays either soccer or volleyball at Schenley Park with friends. Noor loves to play chess in his free time. He says, “My goal is to travel to as many countries as possible in the future to learn more about different cultures and customs, and of course taste different foods, too.”

Mike Belgrove recently joined JFCS as its first HR Manager. Prior to coming to JFCS, Mike worked in Human Resources at Carnegie Mellon University and before that served in AmeriCorps and the US Army. Mike holds an AS in Web Design and Interactive Media, a BA in Media and Professional Communications and he most recently completed an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources from Carlow University. Mike grew up in the Hill District and Point Breeze neighborhoods of Pittsburgh but currently resides in Monroeville with his wife and his three sons. In his free time Mike likes to enjoy his hobbies of weight lifting, reading and finding new and interesting places to eat. Mike has always felt strongly about the importance of serving others and he is very happy to now be part of JFCS and the amazing work the organization does.

Telesphore (Tele) Kagaba joined the refugee & immigrant services team in March 2021. He is the refugee case manager and the point person for the new Good Job Happy Family grant funded by the Pennsylvania State Refugee Office (from the US Department of State – Office of Refugee Resettlement). He will help accelerate refugee family integration and success during the process of their initial adjustment to the United States. 

Originally from Rwanda, Tele gained a four-year refugee experience as intensive case manager working at a refugee resettlement in Southcentral Pennsylvania. In the past several years, he also worked as an intern and volunteered at three refugee resettlement programs in a southern metropolitan city to learn more about refugee livelihoods and the process of bridging gaps in the process of their resettlement.  Tele holds a Bachelor’s from Rwanda, and Master’s in International Peace Studies and Ph.D. in Applied Sociology from the U.S. He has worked as an interpreter, teacher, and most recently as sociology professor. He speaks Kinyarwanda and French.

Alliyah began her career working with children who experienced difficulties expressing their emotions. During graduate school Alliyah witnessed and learned about childhood trauma and how it impacts people into adolescence and adulthood, Alliyah dedicated herself to getting her Masters degree in Social Work. As a clinician Alliyah believes in the individual inner strength and resiliency of each client and helping each client reclaim their strength and believes it is important to normalize therapy and healing. Alliyah believes having a mental health therapist should be as ordinary as having a primary care physician, which is why Alliyah is excited to be apart of the Upstreet team and help make that possible for adolescents and young adults! 

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