Staff:
Michael Hoffner, LCSW
Founder and Executive Director
Michael received his Masters in Social Work from Fordham University. He is the co-founder and director of the Community Growth Center, a non-profit center for spiritual and personal growth. Michael is the author of the book God's Presence in the Present: Contemplative Prayer and the Healing Process. Michael also works with Adelphi University as the Coordinator of Spirituality Services. Michael's professional purpose and calling is to bridge mental health, personal development and spiritual growth into one integrated process, in order to help facilitate growth and transformation.
Group Leaders:
Rev. Kaleem Sikandar, Sacred Mens Group: Rise of the Divine Masculine
Rise of the Divine Masculine is a safe space for all self-identified men to gather and be heard, supported and loved by their fellow brothers. We gather to access the highest and best versions of ourselves and support others on their journey using a variety of healing and spiritual practices.
Kim Rosenberg, Hope in the Darkness
Kim received her Master of Divinity from Regent University where she began to see the need for faith-based mental health resources and programs to support suffering people. She created Anchor in the Storm, a weekly blog that integrates Biblical truths and encouragement for those in the storms of life, hoping to begin to address this gap.
Kim facilitates Hope in the Darkness, a faith-based mental health support group, where members experience healing through God’s Word as well as the support and love of community.
Vinny Posillico, Meditation and Sound Healing Recovery Group
Vinny is a Y12SR space holder and Sound Healer who lives, practices and volunteers right here in the Port Jefferson area. He brings his own 23-year experience with addiction and Recovery and combines that with the Y12SR platform. Y12SR uses the practical tools of the 12step program as well as the ancient wisdom of yoga, meditation and Spiritual practice.
The intention is to provide a safe all-inclusive meeting that is open to anyone and everyone dealing with their own addictive behavior or anyone affected by the addictive behavior of others. (We might broadly define addiction as “any behavior one continues to engage in despite negative consequences.”)
“Everyone belongs”, “we are all recovering from something” and “remain teachable," are just a few Vinnys personal mottos. The healing sounds and vibrations of the Himalayan Singing Bowls are deeply restorative, penetrating our outer shells and helping us to feel, connect to, perhaps even release what needs to be released.
(Our issues live in our tissues.)- Nikki Myers Y12SR Founder
Executive Board Members:
Doreen Del Col
Doreen Del Col is the Operations Manager for a leadership development and management
consulting firm called SDI Communications. Doreen has over 35 years of management
experience and contributes a rich background in organizational and interpersonal skills. She has a deep passion for transformational work both personally and professionally.
Prior to joining SDI in 2004, Doreen was Vice President, Institutional Investment Group, at PNC Bank where she was responsible for maintaining the business relationships of over seventy-five high net-worth clients.
Doreen is a Reiki Master (Attuned in 1999) and taught reiki to many students in the early 2000’s. In her quest for learning and working with energy healing, she later became certified in Advanced Integrated Energy Therapy, Basic Astrology, Numerology and Tarot Reading. She graduated with a B.S. from St. John’s University and has two sons.
Jessica Morgan, LMSW
Jessica Morgan, LMSW operates True North Wellness. She earned her masters in social work from Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare in 2018. She also holds a B.A., in Women and Gender Studies from SBU, 2010. Currently she is pursuing a post masters certificate in Gestalt therapy and completed a 12 week Mindfulness-Based Eco-therapy course. She uses creative writing, poetry, art, and movement to explore the intersections of one’s internal and external landscapes. Her diverse professional experience in mental health housing, biomedical community organizing, event planning, and the arts has cultivated an unrelenting interest in the ways narrative reflection, mindfulness, nature, and adventure can enhance the life we live.
Joe Gast
Joe Gast has 25 years of operations and retail management experience, specializing in training and facilitation (both live and virtual) with a division of FedEx. Additionally, he has been a Salesian Cooperator, the laity vocation of the Salesians of St. John Bosco for 30 years. He was doing active youth ministry for over 30 years and shifted gears to focus on career, on being a caregiver, and spending time with some long-lost family.
Most recently, Joe has supported DEI and leadership development initiatives at work. He advocates for both young people, and for caregivers. He strives to balance active ministry with fiscal responsibility. Joe lives by the Danny Kaye quote, “Life is a great big canvas; Throw all the paint you can at it!”
Barbara Quintana
Firmly grounded in faith and raised as a Catholic Christian, Barbara was born into a deeply rooted Roman Catholic family. Upon graduation from college – Barbara began a long and fruitful career primarily in Human Resources and Training and Development at JPMorganChase. Barbara is a lifelong learner and that tradition flourished with significant growth and work in the areas of Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, Career Management and Mentoring.
Barbara roamed physically and spiritually until finally arriving at the place where she feels that her heart resides: The Hope House community at Little Portion Friary – The Chapel of St Francis and Our Lady of Hope Grotto. Barbara met Fr. Francis Pizzarelli at St James over a decade ago and was drawn through personal circumstances to Fr Frank and the mission of HHM. Barbara has worked her own 12 Step process and spiritual awakening. Barbara brings her hands and heart to HHM in many ways and meets residents where they are on their journey to recovery and wellness. Barbara continued a quest for knowledge and service by participating, table hosting and training fellow volunteers with the Alpha Program over a period of 4 years participating in two Alpha World Conferences.
Barbara is an active member and speaker in a group of “Sisters in Spirituality” focused on mindfulness and contemplation and is a member of the Franciscan Circle led by Br. Mark D’Alessio. Barbara is currently a Table Leader with The Wild Goose Program and actively participates in the CGCs Lectio Divina and St James’ Scripture Discussions. Barbara has also partnered with others on a Women’s Homeless Initiative that will be piloted this season in the Port Jeff Area in collaboration with and under the leadership of the well established organization, Maureen’s Haven. Barbara’s most recent activities are in her private practice/ministry called New Beginnings and Transitions Coaching as a Certified Coach and Yoga Practitioner (RYT 200HR Yoga Alliance).
Barbara is currently pursuing a Diploma in Yoga Counseling as part of the Yoga Psychotherapy Curriculum with The Yoga Institute of India: This is a holistic program combining yoga yoga asanas, meditation techniques as well as psychology to fight anxiety and depression toward a life of ongoing self awareness and wellness.