Molly Delano, Assistant Director, NYC Asset Lab Project
Molly Delano has a range of experiences in the youth development field, including coordinating leadership programs in NYC high schools, developing and leading a youth activism program, the Human Rights Activist Project (H.R.A.P.), conducting case management and performing professional development for educators. Her expertise consists of youth leadership development, human rights education, training and professional development. Molly also brings experience as a community organizer and is dedicated to advancing and developing viable support mechanisms for youth leadership and organizing. Molly embraces the framework of developmental assets as a powerful tool for youth, families, communities and schools. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College and is learning the most joyful lessons in developmental assets and life from her toddler, Osiris.
Contact: mdelano@ymcanyc.org, (212)630-0201

Maria Garcia, Asset Lab Coach, NYC Asset Lab Project
Maria Garcia has over thirteen years of management and direct-service experience working in the field of Youth Development. Maria’s work with youth has been primarily concentrated in leadership and career development for at-risk teens. In 2003, Maria began working as a Youth Development and Education Consultant in New York City. She has since worked closely with both public schools and community-based organizations, providing technical assistance and professional development opportunities that build organizational capacity and enhance existing youth services. Her areas of expertise include curriculum mapping, facilitation of staff training and teambuilding initiatives, grant writing, and program development. Maria also co-led a New Century High School for court-involved youth in 2002. Maria holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics and Latin American Studies from Wesleyan University. She is dedicated to supporting the development of healthy communities and opportunities for today’s youth. Contact: garciam@ymcanyc.org, (917)385-4262

Kristin Johnstad, Project Consultant, Search Institute
Kristin Johnstad joined Search Institute in August 2001, as a Senior Consultant for the institute’s National Initiatives division. Her portfolio includes program improvement and organizational change initiatives and youth engagement. Ms. Johnstad brings extensive experience in program development as well as training and consulting. Before joining Search Institute she was on the national staff of the YMCA with specific responsibilities for national youth and community development projects. From 1999 - 2001, she directed the Young Adult Civic Engagement Initiative that developed community-based models for involving 18-29 year olds in civic leadership and service. From 1996-2000, she was the national director of the Earth Service Corps National Resource Center and charged with increasing the quality and number of YMCAs actively involved in service-learning. Kristin has a Master’s degree in International Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts. She lives in Minneapolis where her family and neighborhoods keep her grounded and honest about living in community and the day to day practice of youth and community development. Contact: kristinj@search-institute.org

Jacqueline Misla, Administrative Coordinator, NYC Asset Lab Project
Jacqueline Misla has been working with young people for almost ten years. She is currently in her last semester at the Hunter College School of Social Work getting her masters in Social Work, with a focus on Community Organization and Youth Development. She has volunteered and worked with other youth-driven organizations, such as Urban Vision, Covenant House, and The Door. Jacqueline joined the YMCA of Greater New York in 2004 as an intern, and created the Leaders Club curriculum which will soon be nationally distributed. In 2005, she began working with NYC ALP. Her work for the project includes communications, such as the brochure and newsletters, event planning, and trainings. Jacqueline also has a background in the arts, having graduated as a fine arts major from LaGuardia Performing Arts High School. She hopes to combine her knowledge and passion for the arts, social services, and youth development to create a space for young people where they can recognize their potential, and are given the opportunities and resources to meet that potential.
Contact: jmisla@ymcanyc.org

Lissette Resto-Brooks, Asset Lab Coach, NYC Asset Lab Project
Lissette Resto-Brooks is currently the Director of the Partnership for After School Education’s (PASE) Learning Lab, a model after school program established to highlight promising practices in after school education and serve as a professional development venue for practitioners in the field. Prior to joining PASE, Mrs. Resto Brooks was the Director of a full service school in Washington Heights with the Children’s Aid Society. In this capacity, she facilitated community building, developed collaborative relationships, assisted in the national replication of full service school model, contributed to the development of innovative and culturally relevant early childhood programs, after school education and parental involvement in a full service school model. Mrs. Resto Brooks is the co-author of “Culture and Caregiving: A Study on Latino Grandparents”, in To Grandmother’s House We Go, A Perspective on Custodial Grandparents by Carol E. Cox. In January 1999, Mrs. Resto Brooks successfully completed a certificate program at the Columbia University School of Business, Institute for Non-for-Profit Management Program. She holds a Masters of Social Work from Hunter College and is a New York State certified social worker. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Hispanic Social Workers and Zero to Three, Inc.

David Rinaldi, Director, NYC Asset Lab Project
David Rinaldi began his career in youth development fifteen years ago working with underserved youth first in New Haven, CT and subsequently in Park Slope and Sunset Park, Brooklyn. His experience working with comprehensive models of youth programming led him to the YMCA of Greater New York in 1998, where he ran service for adolescents from the McBurney Branch for three years, helping to reshape, strengthen and fundraise for programs. Joining the Y’s Association Office in 2001, David helped launch Millennium H.S. in collaboration with District Two, supported by New Visions for Public Schools. He also helped develop the NYC Asset Lab Project, an initiative that promotes the Development Asset framework for youth development citywide through the creation of Asset Labs in schools and community based organizations. David has an M.A. from Boston University and is the proud father of Leonardo and Nicholas.
Contact: drinaldi@ymcanyc.org, (212)643-4077

Frank Walston, Asset Lab Coach, NYC Asset Lab Project
Frank Walston has been working in the youth development field since 1980. He has helped to start initiatives at The Boys Club of NY and the City Kids Foundation, to name a few of the organizations that he has worked with. Frank also headed one of the original Beacon programs for Good Shepherd Service, located in Red Hook, Brooklyn. During his time at GSS he headed a gang prevention program, and created the pathways for youth development that is used across the country. Frank also is a trainer and facilitator. He has done workshops for agencies such as Philly Safe and Sound, the Dept. of Juvenile Justice, Global Kids, Fund for the City of NY, PASE, and the Department of Education among other agencies. Franks holds a BA in Liberal Arts and hopes to help change society by helping to develop our young people. Contact: frankwalston@ymcanyc.org, (917)822-3157