Laura Marcy
As a former foster parent and adoptive mother of 4, Laura brings a wealth of personal experience to her role as parent support partner. Because of her children's involvement with the CMO, Laura's life has evolved from being crisis driven to proactive advocacy. While a student at Richard Stockton College of NJ, Laura became a founding board member of a successful local charter school, director and founder of a small non-profit organization assisting children and families with HIV and AIDS. Laura has also had her written work published by Crossing Press. Recently Laura has become a member of the advisory board at an out of state residential treatment center where her daughter is currently residing.

Gloria Hamlett
Hi, My name is Gloria Hamlett. I have been working with the ACFSO off and on for the past few years. I started as many of you by coming to the support groups and eventually became a facilitator for the meetings. I then went to trainings and learned about the wraparound services that were being provided to my family and learned to advocate for my daughters and myself. After I felt somewhat more stable in my home environment, I began to volunteer as the Atlantic City facilitator for the Youth Partnership. As I learned more about this field, I decided to continue with my education and attended ACCC, so I left the ACFSO temporarily. I am a wife of twenty years and a mother of six children. Just this past year and a half I became a grandmom of a beautiful baby boy. I have gone through many of the struggles that you may be facing, as I had two daughters in the CMO and have had many services for quite awhile. As you become more aware of these services and more informed, you too will be able to face many difficult situations and become an advocate for yourself as well as your child (ren). I am very happy to be back with the ACFSO, this is where my heart is and I look forward to working with you and your families.

Gloria Rivera
Hi, my name is Gloria Rivera and I am a mother of three, ages of 14, 15, and 16. During the last four years I have worked closely with children as a Behavioral Assistant for CMO and Mobile Response families. I have also worked for the Aspira Foundation helping parents become more involved in their children’s school development. I have also been a substitute teacher for the last 10 years in Camden and Atlantic Counties. For the past four years I have being volunteering with the Atlantic County Youth Partnership and have been the facilitator for the last two years. I am joyful to be part of the FSO of Atlantic County and look forward to being of support to our families, whose job it is to prepare our children and youth for the Final Test of Life Skills!

Christine Haas
Hi, my name is Chris and I am a mother of 3 children, 18, 14, and 9. My daughter has emotional and behavioral challenges, which is how I became involved with the ACFSO a few years ago. Shortly after I became an FSO family, I got involved as the facilitator of the Youth partnership in Cape May County, and I love it. Prior to coming on full time with the FSO, I worked at a nursery school in Cape May County. I have worked with children since I had my first child 18 years ago, and just love being with the kids. I also work at Cape Regional Medical Center part time as an advocate for the Hospital Companion program and I volunteer with CARA (Coalition Against Rape and Abuse). I am happy and honored to be a full time part of the FSO as a Peer Support Partner and look forward to supporting the many families in Cape May County.

Chelley Montanez
Hi, My name is Chelley Montanez. My primary goal is to develop a committed peer support to the families I will be serving here in Atlantic County. I wish I could handle the world, but one goal at a time. I, myself, have a family that has been in and out of crisis. I have four children ranging in ages from 32 to 14, who have been going through this journey. We have many years of turmoil behind and ahead of us. Despite the bad days and the good days, we are just like everyone else, we love each other unconditionally. We find our inner strengths through speaking out and reaching out to others who are on the same journey but may not yet recognize that there is help out there. Personally, I was not made aware of the great programs available, such as the ACFSO until late in my family’s journey. Many schools and other service organizations are unaware of the existence of the FSO and what they have to offer. This is part of my goal, to educate and spread the word, and you can help. We are here to teach and create boundaries so that our children are prepared with the necessary life skills.