Nancy Chiarella

Nancy is the Executive Director of CARES, Inc, Prior to joining CARES, she worked for the University at Albany's, Center for Human Services Research conducting outcome evaluations for state and federal child welfare programs. Prior to moving to the Albany region, she worked for City of Chicago in the Mayor's Office of Budget and Management and Office of Workforce Development.

Her professional experience includes management, providing technical assistance to grantees, grant writing, contract management, program monitoring and implementing community hiring initiatives. She also coordinated a Citywide effort to bring additional state and county resources into the City of Chicago's One Stop Career Centers.

As a social worker, she has worked in the public schools, mental health settings, homeless shelters, transitional housing, and labor unions. She obtained a Bachelor's degree from Loyola College, MD and a Masters in Social Welfare from University at Albany.

nchiarella@caresny.org
Phone: (518) 489-4130 x105
Fax: (518) 489-2237

Matthew Graves

Matthew is the Housing Manager of CARES, Inc.'s 22 unit supported housing program. Matt is responsible for oversight of the housing units as well as working with tenants to address issues which may impact their housing. Matt interviews prospective tenants and works with individuals and families whose needs have been met by CARES Housing and are transitioning out of the program.

Matt joined CARES in 2003 and since that time has made countless improvements in both the physical aspects the housing as well as the service delivery system of the program. Prior to joining CARES Matt was the owner of his own construction business and he has served as property manager for a multi unit apartment complex.

mgraves@caresny.org
Phone: (518) 436-8008
Fax: (518) 436-8058

Adam Kirkman

Adam serves as Director of CARES’ Technical Assistance Unit. In this position he oversees development of the Continuum of Care grant applications for five upstate New York Continuums, serves as staff to the Homeless Services Coalitions and Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness Implementation Committees in Albany, Schenectady and Rensselaer Counties, and assists Capital Region homeless service providers with the development of funding applications.

Prior to coming to CARES in 2007, Adam worked as Project Associate at Policy Research Associates, Inc in Delmar, NY. Adam holds a Masters in Public Policy from the Rockefeller College at the University at Albany and a BA in American History and Government from Skidmore College.

akirkman@caresny.org
Phone: (518) 489-4130 x104
Fax: (518) 489-2237

Michelle Sandoz-Dennis

Michelle is an Associate in the Technical Assistance Unit at CARES. Michelle is responsible for technical assistance to homeless service providers, including the HUD Continuum of Care process. Michelle has five years of planning/community development experience working in both the not-for-profit and corporate sectors, and has extensive experience conducting public outreach and providing technical assistance. Michelle holds a Masters of Regional Planning degree from Cornell University and a Bachelors Degree from Hunter College, CUNY.

msandozdennis@caresny.org
Phone: (518) 489-4130 x102
Fax: (518) 489-2237

Allyson Thiessen

Allyson is the HMIS System Administrator for the CARES Regional Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Database. Allyson is responsible for maintaining the HMIS, including training users, providing help desk and technical assistance, and procuring data for research support and grant writing. Allyson is also responsible for maintaining CARES’ website and coordinating the information technology services for the office.

Allyson obtained a BA in English with a minor and certification in secondary education from The College of St. Rose and spent nearly a decade teaching locally. Prior to joining CARES in 2006, she worked as a vocational computer instructor for adults with severe and chronic mental illness.

athiessen@caresny.org
Phone: (518) 489-4130 x103
Fax: (518) 489-2237

Christine Wasik

Christine is the Director of HIV/AIDS Programs at CARES, Inc. Christine is responsible for the staff and programmatic supervision of the CARES Housing Program, the Housing Placement Assistance Program, the Ryan White Network and The Community AIDS Partnership of the Capital Region.

Christine holds a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University and has over 20 years experience in the field of heath care in both clinical and administrative capacities. Christine joined CARES, Inc. in 2000 as a Project Manager, utilizing her organizational and capacity building skills to strategically implement changes in the AIDSWalk, the Shelter Plus Care Program and CARES Housing.

cwasik@caresny.org
Phone: (518) 489-4130 x106
Fax: (518) 489-2237