Our Mission
Hope's Door seeks to end domestic violence and to empower victims to achieve safety, independence, and healing from the trauma of abuse.
A culture of care
About Hope's Door.
Hope's Door is a community-based nonprofit in Westchester County, NY, dedicated to ending domestic violence. We provide a 24/7 bilingual hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, legal services, and prevention education, all free of charge and strictly confidential.
Domestic abuse and human trafficking do not discriminate by gender, race, creed, color, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic status, immigration status, or sexual orientation. Neither does Hope's Door. We welcome everyone and work to overcome each victim's unique barriers to safety.
What guides us
Mission, Vision, and Values.
Our Vision
A Westchester free from domestic and intimate partner violence, where every survivor has the support to build a safe, independent life.
Our Values
A trauma-informed culture of care: inclusive, welcoming, destigmatizing, and non-retraumatizing. We attend to survivors' emotional as well as physical safety.
Guided by experience
Our Leadership.
Hope's Door is led by an executive team with deep experience in domestic violence services, nonprofit management, legal advocacy, and community engagement. Select a member to read their bio.
At a time when the realities of domestic violence are becoming increasingly visible, gatherings like this matter deeply. They ensure survivors have access to the support they need and remind us all of our role in creating safer communities.
CarlLa Horton, Executive Director
CarlLa Horton, MPA
Executive Director
CarlLa guides the agency's strategy, partnerships, and voice in the community. Her advocacy has been recognized with honors including the Zonta Club's Woman of the Year and Zowie Awards.
Phillip G. Morton, BS
Chief Financial Officer
Phillip stewards the private, corporate, and government funding that keeps every Hope's Door service free for survivors, overseeing finances, audits, and reporting.
Janmarie Brown, MS, LMFT
Chief Program Officer
A licensed marriage and family therapist, Janmarie oversees Hope's Door's trauma-informed programs, from counseling and support groups to shelter services.
Patti Reyes D'Agostino
Chief of Development and Community Relations
Patti leads fundraising, events, and community partnerships, including signature events like the Gala of Hope and the Fall Luncheon.
Mia Pergolizzi, Esq.
Chief of Legal Services
Mia directs the Hope's Door Legal Center, providing trauma-informed advice and representation in family, matrimonial, and immigration matters.
Here every day
Our Staff.
Our counselors, advocates, and educators work directly with survivors every day. Many are bilingual, with services available in Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu.
- Brittany Hodgins Director of Residential Services
- Dianne DeFilippis Director of Administration
- Rosana Caceda Director of Community Services
- Shaire Gadson Director of Outreach & Engagement
- Xiomara Zea Assistant Director of Residential Services
- Veronica Lopez Legal Services Manager
- Ana Maldonado DV Counselor/Advocate, Bilingual Spanish
- Arleny Espinoza DV Counselor/Advocate, Bilingual Spanish
- Coco Alvi DV Counselor & Advocate, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu
- Dednika Louisthelmy Prevention Educator
- Elizabeth Palmiotto Economic Empowerment Specialist
- Eva Cruz Intake Specialist, Family Justice Center, Bilingual Spanish
- Genesis Abreu Paralegal, Bilingual Spanish
- Jaline Contreras High Risk Counselor & Advocate, Bilingual Spanish
- Jessica Aquino STRIVE Advocate, Bilingual Spanish
- Katherine Barba DV Counselor/Advocate, Family Justice Center, Bilingual Spanish
- Kim Davis Development and Communications Associate
- Leslie Casana Prevention Educator, Bilingual Spanish
- Luz Alarcon DV Counselor/Advocate, Bilingual Spanish
- Marsha Toussaint Overnight Advocate
- Naomi Guzman High Risk Counselor & Advocate, Bilingual Spanish
- Serena Seales DV Counselor/Advocate
- Shannon Luke Senior Prevention Educator
- Tami Shimkin Office Manager/Executive Assistant
Volunteer governance
Board of Directors & Advisory Council.
Hope's Door is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by an Advisory Council of community leaders.
Board of Directors
- Marisol Sanchez President
- Shreya Gopal Vice President
- Jyoti Panjwani Secretary
- Melissa Szot Treasurer
- Andy Aujla Board Member
- Silvana Bajana Board Member
- Christine Consiglio, PhD Board Member
- Aadesh Gandhre Board Member
- Michele Goldmeer Board Member
- Ingrid Kessler Board Member
- Yael K. Levy Board Member
- Dan Lipka Board Member
- Amy Martini Board Member
- Janet Morley Board Member
- Michelle Memoli Board Member
- Gary Starr Board Member
Advisory Council
- Sheryl Dale Co-chair
- Dan Schorr Co-chair
- Gloria Basem Advisory Council Member
- Jean Marie Connolly Advisory Council Member
- Jill Deitch Advisory Council Member
- Penney J. Klingman Advisory Council Member
- Jeffrey Kohn Advisory Council Member
- Sonia Lopez Gonzalez Advisory Council Member
- Brittany McLaughlin Advisory Council Member
- David M. Ryan Advisory Council Member
- Ira M. Schulman Advisory Council Member
- Elizabeth Zimmerman Advisory Council Member