Meet the Staff
board of directors contact us news and upcoming events newsletters & reports	Karmen Carter - Executive Director Karmen joined the staff in June of 2005.  She has worked in the nonprofit field for over twenty years and has program and volunteer development experience in the areas of seniors, youth and unemployed women.  Additionally, she was the Executive Director of the Rape Assistance and Awareness Program for over seven years.  Just before coming to Judi’s House, she spent three years providing coaching and technical assistance to start-up nonprofits, as Director of Programs at The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center.  Karmen served as the Co-Chair of the Denver Sexual Assault Interagency Council, Founding Board member of Denver CASA and is currently Treasurer of the Sporting Woman Community Fund. Karmen@JudisHouse.org Anthony Hodes - Director of Development & Communications Anthony joined the team in July 2007 to guide the Development and Communications efforts for Judi’s House. He has worked with other Colorado nonprofits over the last five years, most recently as the Director of Development at Colorado AIDS Project. He has worked in the human service field with children, youth and adults since moving to the area in 1993. Anthony@JudisHouse.org Judy Becerra, M.S., L.P.C.- Director of Programs Judy joined the team with more than 20 years experience in the mental health field. The majority of her experience has been running programs working with traumatized children, adolescents and their families in private practice as well as in inpatient and residential treatment settings. Judy has written many articles on parenting and mental health issues relating to children and adolescents. She has also been actively involved in juvenile justice issues, working with the US Department of Justice on developing best practice treatment standards for adolescents. After losing her own child to cancer in 2005, Judy became passionate about helping other families in the healing process. Judy@JudisHouse.org Jason Stout- Outreach & Education Manager Although Jason joined the staff in October, 2007 he has been a dedicated Judi’s House volunteer for more than three years.  The deaths of his sister, grandmother, and father, by the age of fourteen, drew him to Judi’s House.  Prior to joining the team, he spent the last six and half years working for Outward Bound.  During his Outward Bound career, he instructed wilderness courses for at-risk teens, coordinated scholarships for low-income youth, and as Rocky Mountain Outreach Manager, facilitated hundreds of presentations and leadership workshops in high schools and colleges throughout the country.  Inspired by both organizations he co-pioneered and manages the Judi’s House Outward Bound Wilderness Adventure. Jason@judishouse.org Mark Clubb MA, LPC- Bilingual Program Coordinator Mark started with Judi’s House in August 2007.He hails from Dallas, Texas where he worked for the Children’s Advocacy Center. Mark earned his Master’s Degree from the Denver Seminary and has worked internationally in Venezuela and Costa Rica. Mark@JudisHouse.org Melyssa Levin, MSW- Program Coordinator Melyssa Levin joined the staff in June of 2006. Melyssa was trained as a Volunteer Facilitator in 2004, served as a volunteer facilitator for one year and then as a social work intern for another year. Melyssa has a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver where her emphasis was high-risk youth, in addition to grief and loss. She obtained a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona. Melyssa came to Judi’s House after serving as a volunteer/intern for two years at Tu Nidito, a grief and loss organization for children and families, located in Tucson, Arizona. Melyssa-levin@JudisHouse.org Carolyn McDonald, MSW - Program Coordinator Carolyn came to Judi’s House as an intern in August 2003. She joined the team as a full time staff member in July 2004. Prior to this she worked for several years in the Denver non-profit community working with middle school and high school aged children/teens. Carolyn’s brother died at the age of 12 from Duchene Muscular Dystrophy. The experience motivated her to pursue her education in hopes of supporting other grieving children and families. She has her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver where her emphasis was high-risk youth and grief and loss. She obtained a BA in Sociology and Human Services from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Carolyn@JudisHouse.org Atsuko Okuzawa, MS- Program Coordinator Atsuko came to this work through her involvement as a member of the research team from the University of Colorado at Boulder that is collaborating with Judi’s House on a longitudinal study of children and grief. She joined the team here in October of 2007. Atsuko grew up in Japan, and came to the United States to pursue her Bachelor and Master’s Degrees at Colorado State University completing these studies with her graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her passion is to empower grieving children and their families and springs from her own experience of the death of her best friend. Atsuko@JudisHouse.org Tara Roesener- Executive Assistant Tara brings more than ten years of non profit experience to her work here at Judi’s House. Most recently, she was a Development Officer at Colorado AIDS Project where she was actively involved in producing and managing AIDS Walk Colorado for the last two years after serving several key roles with this event and many others at CAP. Tara@JudisHouse.org Candace Wengert - Administrative Assistant Candace brings a wealth of experience to her work here at Judi’s House that spans many area of the private sector including the food and hospitality industry, and the parcel and freight delivery business to name a few. This is her first work in the non profit arena and she brings her eye for detail and collaborative spirit to the house and all those who come to it. Candace@JudisHouse.org