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Leadership Team
Ocean’s Harbor House provides shelter, support, and services for vulnerable youth, 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 is responsible for the program development, implementation, outcomes, collaborations, training and evaluation of staff and residents. She holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Management, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and is a certified Crisis Prevention Trainer and Foundations of Trauma Leader/Trainer with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families/Office of Resilience. Under Jenny’s leadership, 100% of the staff at Ocean’s Harbor House have participated in Foundations of Trauma and Healing Resilience training. Jenny comes with over a decade of experience from Covenant House, where she oversaw statewide case management of human trafficking, led the work-based learning experience for Covenant House youth, and acted as the residential advisor for their Rights of Passage Program and Crisis Center.
Jay Trifiro
Youth Navigator/Community Outreach Coordinator
The primary focus of our Youth Navigator, Jay Trifiro, is assessing each youth’s needs for education completion and/or continuance, stable housing, health access, insurance coverage, vocational supports, legal supports and creating a holistic, comprehensive plan that builds independence, self-awareness and self-sufficiency.
Jay creates pathways for our young people to connect and engage as young adults with educational goals, workforce development, civic engagement, financial literacy, community engagement and mentoring, and life skills development, and creates care management plans for our staff to implement. Jay connects our youth with training on housing and rental literacy, and has created a tenant-ready criterion for the residents of The SHORE House. He brings our community into the program, and our young people into the community through volunteer opportunities and civic experience. He coordinates transition from the program to stable housing and family reunification where possible and appropriate. Jay holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Leadership, a Bachelor of Arts in History, and a Teacher’s Certification from the State of New Jersey. A teacher at heart, Jay engages our community as part of our Leadership Team Speaker’s Bureau, building awareness and understanding of the complex issues facing our young people, and what our programs bring to creating the lasting solutions they need.
Breonna Kesto
Primary Counselor
Breonna holds an MSW in social work, with specialty studies in psychopathology, biopsychosocial assessment, individual and group counseling, and wellness management and recovery. She is certified in Nurtured Heart and Trauma-Focused CBT, and a certified Foundations of Trauma Trainer with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, and is pursuing her doctorate in Social Work. She has been the OHH Youth Clinician and Counseling Lead since 2018.
“Ocean’s Harbor House has been a cornerstone of my professional journey, where I began as an intern and have grown into my current role as a Primary Counselor within the Supervised Transitional Living Program (STLP). Over the past six years, I have had the privilege of working closely with at-risk adolescents and young adults, supporting their transition toward independence through trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches.
I hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) and am currently a Doctor of Human Services (DHS) candidate, further strengthening my commitment to evidence-based and community-informed practice.
My work is grounded in creating safe, judgment-free spaces that foster trust, resilience, and self-efficacy. I am passionate about helping young people feel seen, valued, and empowered to navigate challenges while building the skills necessary for long-term stability and growth."
Ty Lewis
Harbor C.O.M.P.A.S.S. Outreach/Wellness Specialist
Ty brings over a decade of experience working directly with at-risk youth and leading community-centered initiatives. Driven by a deep commitment to service, he focuses on engaging vulnerable young people, particularly those experiencing homelessness, and guiding them from crisis toward stability through outreach, transitional support, and life skills development. Ty has designed and facilitated programs that build leadership, character, and job readiness, equipping youth with the tools needed for long-term independence. His work extends beyond direct service to include training and mentoring staff to better support youth impacted by trauma, while also advocating for sustainable practices among frontline workers. Rooted in community, compassion, and consistency, Ty leverages both his professional expertise and creative background to connect with young people, empower their growth, and strengthen the communities he serves.
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