585-325-4910 info@badenstreet.org

LEADING WITH LOVE

 

Administrative Team

 

 

Ron Thomas

Executive Director
 

Mr. Rick Christopher

Assistant Finance Director

Richard “Rick” Christopher grew up in Orleans County, but has lived and worked in Rochester since 1974. After retiring from Monroe County in 2011, Rick became Baden Street’s Finance Director. In 2019, he stepped down from that position in order to spend more time traveling, but remains at Baden on a part-time basis assisting the current Finance Director as needed. Rick came to Baden Street in the first place because he wanted to give back to the community and to help Baden Street navigate a very difficult period in the aftermath of severe funding cuts the Agency faced in the wake of the Great Recession.

Ms. Wendy Fitzhugh

Human Resources & Payroll Specialist

Wendy Fitzhugh is a Rochester native who has worked at Baden Street Settlement of Rochester since August of 2007. She attended Virginia State University and majored in Accounting. Wendy is currently the Human Resource and Payroll Specialist with Baden Street. Wendy has worked in the field of accounting for over 25 plus years and has spent the last 8 years branching out into the area of Human Resources. Wendy came to Baden Street when she returned to Rochester after living in theDC/Maryland area for 8 years and enjoys being part of the Baden Street family. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her lovely daughters.

Mr. Lee Harris

IT Director & Digital Arts Program Director

Lee Harris is from Rochester, NY and has worked with Baden Street Settlement since 2008. Lee attended East High School and is currently the IT Director at Baden Street Settlement. Lee has worked in the Rochester Community since 1987 as a  private business owner utilizing his technical skills working with  churches and small businesses as IT Support, computer technician and technical consultant. Lee came to Baden Street Settlement as a reference  from fellow small business owner and Xerox IT Manager Roy Williams and has proudly been with Baden Street ever since. In Lee’s free time he loves to bowl and just be your average super nerd.

Ms. Mary Jackson

Financial Clerk and Transportation Coordinator

Mary A. Jackson was born in Fort Myers, Florida, and at the age of 12 years old her family moved to Rochester, New York. She attended Franklin High School. Prior to being employed at Baden Street Settlement she worked several years as a teacher’s aide and switchboard operator for the RCSD as well as nurse’s aide for Rochester General Hospital. She has worked with Baden Street Settlement for over 24 years starting as the receptionist/switchboard operator for the administration office and transportation coordinator. In 2009, she was promoted and is currently a member of the finance team as the clerk in the finance department. Throughout her 24 years at the agency she has served as the administrative support related to equipment (fax, postage, copier), responsible for ordering agency supplies and continues to serve as the transportation coordinator. In her free time, Mary enjoys reading and traveling.

Mr. Teddy Thomas

Maintenance Operations

Theodore “Teddy” Thomas is a Rochester native by way of Georgia and has worked at Baden Street Settlement since 2008 but utilized the programming and resources of the organization since he was a child. Teddy attended Martin Luther King High school in Atlanta, GA and visited Rochester every summer and for vacations to see family during which time he was active in various activities offered at Baden Street Settlement. His family moved to Rochester after he graduated from high school and he could finally call Rochester his home. During his tenure as the Maintenance Supervisor, he has been able to utilize his vast skill set to keep the agency going. Teddy started his career as a contract worker at Baden prior to moving into a position within the agency. Teddy’s love for Baden Street began as a child, and this position allows him to work at the agency he grew up in. In his free time, Teddy loves fishing, traveling and supporting the Buffalo Bills.

 

 
 
 
 

Program Directors

 

 

Ms. Kimberly Barnes-Ellis

Program Director

Kimberly Barnes-Ellis is from Rochester, New York and has worked with Baden Street Settlement for 17 years. She attended West Irondequoit High School in the Urban Suburban Program and Graduated from Central State University in Ohio with a degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. Kimberly Barnes-Ellis is currently the director of Baden Street Child Development Center. She spent several years as the program director at South Avenue Daycare Located at the Rochester Psychiatric Center and has experience as a supervisor in dietary at Highland Hospital for over 20 years and has worked for Highland Hospital for over 30 years. She came to Baden Street Settlement because of her love and passion for working with children and loves being part of the team. In her free time Kimberly loves shopping, cooking and spending time with her family.

Ms. Yvonne Clinkscales

Program Director

Ms. Pamela Quick

Program Director

Ms. Pamela Quick was born in Rochester, New York via The Bronx, New York and is currently enrolled at Empire State College majoring in Community and Human Services. The core of her previous educational experience is in Criminal Justice received from Keuka College. She considers herself an advocate for children’s well-being socially, emotionally, physically, educationally as it relates to the effects of poverty on children. Ms. Quick was appointed Director of the Activities Department in 2019. She was previously the Assistant Director of the Activities Department for 10 years, and worked with community partnerships programs as well. She worked with After School programs, 21st Century Recess Community programs, Youth on the Move (Teen Program) and Summer Enrichment programs with the Rochester City School District. Ms. Quick loves kids, working out, reading, animals, and nature; she likes cooking, sports, music, and movies.

Ms. Carol Robinson

Program Director

Carol Robinson is from Rockingham NC. She has lived in Rochester, NY since she was 16 years old.  She started working for Baden Street in 1995 as a Toddler Teacher.   Since then she has had several positions in the Early Childhood Department.  Carol has had great experience working with the families in the Northeast section of the city. She attended Monroe High School and shortly thereafter decided that she wanted to work in the Human Service field, so she went on to earn her Associates Degree in Human Services at Monroe Community College.  There Carol decided that she wanted to work in a  community is where she would be most impactful.   Carol is currently the Pre-K Director and works in the daycare center as the Assistant Director and Educational Coordinator.  She is currently enrolled at Empire State College working on a BA in Early Childhood. Her hobbies are reading, hanging out with her 3 grandchildren and traveling whenever work permits.

Ms. Dolores Rodriguez

Program Director

Dolores Rodriguez was born in Chicago, Illinois and has been employed at Baden Street Settlement for 30+ years serving the community in which she was raised. She went to Franklin High School and then attended Monroe Community College. Upon joining the Baden Street family, Dolores realized that Baden Street had a positive impact on the community and she wanted to be a part of that. Dolores began as a clerical worker then as a bilingual caseworker, eventually reaching senior caseworker status. Over the years, Dolores conducted client interviews, completed intake and eligibility forms, provided language translation services, transportation assistance, emergency food, housing, in addition to referrals and strong advocacy to social services, SSI/SSD, medical, mental health, and chemical dependency services. Dolores is currently the Director of the Emergency and Family Assistance Department, and is grateful to Ms. Annie E. Miller and Gladys Holloman, the extraordinary ladies who taught her the meaning of giving back. In her free time, Dolores likes to sing, solve puzzles (Sodoku), and go for walks.

Ms. Jennifer Quick

PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Jennifer Quick is a Rochester native who has worked with Baden Street Settlement of Rochester since August of 2013. She attended Cornell University and majored in Interdisciplinary Studies and completed a minor in Education. Jennifer is currently the director of Metro Council for Teen Potential, a collaborative program that promotes youth health and youth development. Jennifer has worked in the world of nonprofits for over 15 years with an array of experiences in youth development, curriculum delivery, bridging youth and adults to community resources, and case management. Jennifer is very passionate about human-to-human storytelling, equipping folks with life skills, community building, animals, nature, and most importantly- quality time with family and friends.

Ms. Gaynelle Wethers

Community Engagement Director

Gaynelle D. Wethers has had an expansive and celebrated career as an executive administrator, educator diversity/inclusion expert and community volunteer. Her accomplishments include strategist and campaign manager for local races including Rochester’s mayor, Rochester City School District Board of Education races, as well as Rochester City Council races. She was awarded the Very Re. John F. Murphy President’s Award at St. John Fisher College. Nominated and a finalist twice for the Rochester Women’s Council, Athena Award. A tree is planted by the Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr Commission in appreciation and recognition for community work with the commission.

Wethers retired from Nazareth College in May 2013, after serving more than 20 years as its founding director of Multicultural Affairs. She is presently serving as Director of the EPK and UPK at Baden at Charles Street as well as its Fundraising and Development Chairperson.

Gaynelle’s current volunteerism in the greater Rochester includes her service as President of the Interfaith Alliance of Rochester, past president of Baden Street Settlement, past president and secretary of the Jordan Health Center Corporate Board, past president and past- vice president of programs at the Association of American University Women Greater Rochester Area (NY) and past president at the Rochester Women’s Network.

Her past positions include Pastoral Associate of Immaculate Conception Church, Principal of St. Monica School, teacher in Rush-Henrietta School District and for the Roman Catholic Diocese. Wethers has received formal Mediation Training and Training in HIV Infection and Aids. She is also a field reader for the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Wethers, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana received her BS degree from Xavier University, New Orleans, Louisiana, and her MS degree in Elementary Education from Nazareth College. She holds a New York State Certification in Public Administration from the University of Rochester and attended St. Bernard’s Institute.

 

Board of Directors

 

Officers

Tyrese Bryant
President

Katie Norman
Treasurer

Kimberly Giblin
Secretary

Scott Adair
Assistant Treasurer

 

..Directors

Jon Alhart


Albert Burke


Jeff Clark,Esq


Robert Gavin


Yvonne Lewis McDonald,JD.


Garret Macdonald


Bill May


Dr. Arlette Miller-Smith


Pastor Franklin Ross


Thomas Stewart


Michael Waller,Ph.D.

 

Rhashard Watkins

Advisory Directors

Paul Chechak

Nancy Frank

June Hubner

Trent Marshall