Alex Tindal Wiesendanger…Director
Alex Tindal Wiesendanger is the NYC Director of Safe Families for Children. Alex is a native New Yorker, born in Harlem and now living in the Bronx. He has a Masters Degree in Social Justice and Community Development from the Loyola University Institute of Pastoral Studies. He brings more than two decades of leadership experience in faith, labor and non-profit settings and is the author of Seeds of Justice: Organizing Your Church to Transform the World. Alex’s passion for supporting families and preventing separation is fueled by he and his wife’s journey to adopt their two beautiful children out of the foster care system. Alex is also a dedicated coach for Harlem Little League.
Emily Cowan…Associate Director
Emily has enjoyed calling many parts of the US south and Midwest home, but, with much excitement, she and her family began a new adventure in Brooklyn in 2012. She received her Master in Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago where the ideals of prevention, equity and justice took deep root. In 2016, Emily was thrilled to come on staff with Safe Families NYC, to support the amazing volunteers who connect with and support some of the most incredible and resilient families in NYC. Emily brings her professional experience working with at-risk youth and families and her personal experience as a licensed foster parent to the Family Support Team at SFFC.
Jasmine Francis…Church Engagement & Family Support (BK & Queens)
Jasmine is from upstate New York. She grew up in a loving family who were actively involved in their church and serving their community. Her parents often modeled an open door policy, showing hospitality and sacrificial generosity to those in need. Seeing this example stirred a passion within Jasmine to serve the marginalized and often overlooked. She completed a Masters Degree in Human Services and has spent most of her time working in ministry. Jasmine is passionate about children and families. Her desire is to see whole families thriving in healthy relationships with one another. She now resides in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and children.
Gaby Amorelli…Family Support Coordinator (Manhattan & The Bronx)
Gaby was born and raised in Queens, NY. She grew up in a church community and home that emphasized the importance of hospitality and generosity, which continually impacts her life choices. She moved to Tennessee to attend Covenant College. In 2021, she started as the Safe Families Coordinator in Chattanooga, TN. She had never heard of Safe Families for Children before starting this position, but she quickly became passionate about their mission to keep families together and implement family-like support within the community. Gaby recently moved back to Queens and is thrilled to be able to continue to work for SFFC and serve the City of New York.
Jackie Amorelli…Bilingual Program Coordinator
Jackie was born and raised in New York City, where she grew up in a single-mother household on the Upper West Side. Her home was always open to other single mothers. When she was twelve, Jackie moved to Queens, started attending church, and committed her life to Christ. She graduated from Queens College with a major in French and a minor in Spanish (her first language). Now, Jackie lives in Queens with her husband. She has three children and two grandchildren. Jackie is excited to work with Safe Families for Children and come alongside the Hispanic community helping them to create meaningful connections and ease their burden.
Nicole Amoako…Community Engagement Specialist
Nicole is a life-long New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She grew up in a thriving church community that was active in their community, meeting the needs of the most vulnerable. Nicole brought this same passion for others into her career when she began working with young adults. Her professional work has focused on workforce development and economic justice. She currently lives in Yonkers, NY with her husband and kids. Nicole loves serving her city with Safe Families for Children.
Anna Lourelle Pelayo…Mighty Village Program Manager
Before settling in New York City 11 years ago, Anna traveled around the world as a youth program director and singer on international cruises. She now resides in the Bronx, and has two adorable boys, aged ten and seven years old. Anna has always had a heart for others and a strong dedication to supporting families and their wellbeing. She is a certified Family Healing Ambassador in the Department of Education, facilitating workshops for parents, staff, educators, guardians and students. Now, Anna is the Program Manager of Mighty Village, Safe Families NYC’s peer-to-peer program for isolated parents. Her favorite quote is, “You’ll never know how strong you are until the only choice you have left is to be strong.”
Olivia Voegtle…Program Administrator
Olivia graduated from The King’s College, Manhattan with aBachelor of Arts in English. Her writing on the relational consequences of the purity culture movement has been published in Christianity Today. As our Program Admin, Olivia handles a variety of duties that allow her to combine her creative spirit and love of writing with her desire to love her neighbors and see her city thrive. Olivia resides in Brooklyn with her husband and many plants.
Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez…Family Support Coordinator
Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez is a proud daughter of immigrants from the Dominican Republic and was born and raised in New York City. She currently lives in the Bronx with her husband and son – where she is a local Associate Pastor at Renovation City Church. Pricelis is the author of ‘Being a Sanctuary’ and ‘False Peace’. She received her Masters in Social Work from Alliance University and is currently pursuing a Masters in Theological and Biblical Studies at Denver Seminary. Pricelis leads a ministry called Full Collective and is passionate about serving the Bronx and helping people be pro-neighbor. She is excited to use these skills in her new role as the Family Support Coordinator for Upper Manhattan and the Bronx.
