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Leadership Team
Ocean’s Harbor House provides shelter, support, and services for vulnerable youth and families, empowering them to build successful pathways, relationships, and futures. This has been the cornerstone of our work for nearly 40 years.
Donna Carlson &
Dawn Samaritano
Ocean’s Harbor House New Leadership
Donna Carlson, Chief Operating Officer, and Dawn Samaritano, Chief Financial Officer, bring a wealth of experience to their new co-leadership roles at Ocean’s Harbor House. Donna, with a background in nonprofit leadership and youth advocacy, has been instrumental in developing programs that support at-risk youth. Dawn, a dedicated social and financial services professional, has spent her career ensuring vulnerable populations receive the resources they need. Together, as a leadership team, they are committed to guiding Ocean’s Harbor House into the future, strengthening programs, expanding outreach, and continuing to provide a safe haven for youth in need.
Mary Teresa Bijeau
Director of Administration
Mary Teresa Bijeau is our Director of Administration and manages the agency's daily office operations, special projects, and employee files. Administrator for Ocean’s Harbor House for over two decades , she serves as the organization's resource person, historian and archivist. In her role as Administrator, Mary Teresa organizes the agency’s volunteers, donor databases, and local, state and federal government grant compliance's and grant applications/proposals. Mary Teresa holds an Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration and has over 34 years of experience in the field.
Donna Carlson
Grant Writer Development Associate
Donna came to Ocean’s Harbor House in November of 2022 as Grant Writer/Development Associate. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Felician University in Lodi, New Jersey, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where she served as Development Director and Grant Writer for a local non-profit that served disabled children and adults. In her nursing and non-profit careers, she has focused on creating and initiating collaborative and dynamic relationships between people and communities. She is skilled in the utilization and application of the nursing process to analyze, problem-solve, and implement standards of practice that reflect her values of respect, hope, perseverance, compassion and professionalism. She and her husband are both nurses, and proud parents and grandparents to a combined family of five adult children and 11 grandchildren. She is also the proud Labrador mom to Molly, Maggie, Pippet and Buck.
Dawn Samaritano
Director of Finance
Dawn came to Ocean’s Harbor House in July 2016 after working in Public Accounting as a corporate tax accountant/manager. She has a BS in Accounting with a minor in Business Administration and comes to the agency with over 30 years of accounting experience. As a resident of Toms River since 1988, Dawn decided to make the change from Public Accounting to a non-profit organization after learning all about Ocean’s Harbor House. It was an agency and cause that she believed in, and it was a perfect fit as she stepped into the job. Dawn provides oversight of agency funds and adheres to the agency’s systems, procedures, and policies to ensure that funds are used and accounted for properly. She is responsible for the day-to-day financial operations including accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliations, payroll, financial statements and a multitude of reports needed throughout the year. She also works closely with the Executive Director regarding budgeting, business planning, administration and IT. On a personal note, Dawn has been married since 1988 and is the proud mother of two grown sons named Anthony and Jesse, and her adopted dog, Lucy.
Jenny Allen
Director of Programs
Jenny has spent her career supporting others. For over 15 years she worked with daytime programs, facilities, and family support networks to help at-risk, homeless and trafficked youth prepare for second-chance opportunities on their road to success. At Covenant House, she served as TLP Resident Advisor, Crisis Center Service Manager, New Jersey’s Human Trafficking Victim Resource Specialist, and Jobs for American Graduates Specialist. Jenny has a passion for helping young people reach their goals, helping to bridge the gap from where youth are to where they want to be, recreating their futures, and guiding them through choices that redefine their circumstances and lead to a fresh start.
Jay Trifiro
Youth Navigator/Community Outreach Coordinator
Jay has 12 years of experience in both public and private school which started in the classroom. By joining the Ocean’s Harbor House team, he will continue his use of education/instructional knowledge, leadership experience and community building skills. As Youth Navigator, his focus is the betterment of our residents through career building and educational continuance, as well as enhancing the visibility of the agency as a community resources for at-risk youth.
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