Leona Brannon, NCC, LPC
Hello and thank you for taking time to learn more about our team at House of Ruth. I am the Assistant Program Coordinator at our Domestic Violence Support Center where we provide free, confidential individual counseling to survivors of relational trauma. As a native Washingtonian, it has been my ultimate goal as a mental health therapist to support our local community in healing from trauma. I began my studies in Psychology at Vassar College and completed my masters training at The Johns Hopkins University School of Education. I have been a practicing licensed professional counselor since 2016 with a focus on trauma and recovery. My work at House of Ruth allows me to support survivors of Domestic Violence at pivotal moments in their recovery and see the transformative power counseling coupled with housing stability can have. What I love most about being a mental health professional is having the opportunity to support people on their journey to healing and thriving.
Camille Alberson
Camille Alberson has been an employee since 2021 and joined the staff as the Assistant Program Coordinator at Three Sisters and New Pathways program. With more than 7 years’ non-profit experience in leadership, she has worked residential programs throughout the Memphis Metropolitan Area, currently an active mentor for at-risk youth, and annually organizes and supports local non-profits.
A Tennessee native now resident of Washington, DC, she has a degree in Family and Human Services from Towson University and competed as a student-athlete. In her spare time, she enjoys playing basketball, supporting women’s sports, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.
Ashley Ard
Ashley Ard has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and Sociology from Hanover College, Indiana. Ashley is currently in school to pursue her Masters of Science in Therapy Counseling with an emphasis in trauma, which she will use to assist clients with addressing past traumas. Ashley has been an employee of House of Ruth since 2014 and currently holds the role of the Assistant Program Coordinator for the Scattered Sites- Stepping Forward program. Ashley started as a Life Skills Trainer in the family program- Hope Rising, where she then worked her way to become the Lead Case Manager. While in her Lead Case Manager role, Ashley was introduced to the Managing-Up concept and utilized the skills to engage the Hope Rising staff with professional development. Ashley continues to use her skills to empower her clients and staff. Ashley is very passionate about providing excellent services, advocating for others, and looking forward to creating positive changes for all.
Brooke Cole
Brooke Cole has been a Case Manager at House of Ruth’s Madison Program since March 2021. She was recently promoted to Assistant Program Coordinator at A New Way Program in February 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Virginia Union University and has over fifteen years of experience providing case management. In her spare time, she enjoys fishing, traveling, and spending time with her children.
Nadine Earlington
Nadine Earlington joined House of Ruth staff in December 1997 as a case manager. She has been Program Coordinator at Families First I (formerly known as HerSpace) since 2012. She has a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Bowie State University, and a BA in Sociology with a minor in Social Work from the State University of New York. When not at the House of Ruth, Nadine enjoys reading, watching old shows on TV and riding her bike.
Lamonda Fraley
Lamonda Fraley has over 30 years of experience working in several industries such as Financial Services, Child Support Enforcement, Home Health Care Service Provider, and Non Profit Social Services. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information System. Since joining the House of Ruth in 2021 as an Assistant Program Coordinator she has worked across multiple programs to ensure that our clients’ needs are meet as well as ensuring that the House of Ruth mission of service is accomplished. Lamonda was born and raised in Washington, DC. In her spare time, she likes dancing, outdoor activities, and spending time with loved ones.
Seteria Hollinshed, LGSW, ACSW
Seteria Hollinshed has been with House of Ruth since June 2005. She has held several positions within the agency including: Case Manager, Case Manager Supervisor, Assistant Program Coordinator and Program Coordinator. In April 2021 she was promoted to Program Manager of the Single Site Based Programs. Seteria has worked in the social services field for over 15 years. She received her Bachelor’s degree (BSW) from North Carolina Central University and her Master’s degree (MSW) from the University of Illinois. In the past her work experience has included community mental health and child welfare. When Seteria is not at House of Ruth she enjoys spending time with her family. One of her family’s favorite activities is spending time outdoors (hiking, bike riding, going to the beach). In addition to spending time with her family she also enjoys traveling and volunteering in her community.
Mary Jackson
Mary Jackson is a longtime member of the House of Ruth family. She initially came onboard as a part-time employee in 2008 before joining full-time in April 2009. Mary has earned promotions from Case Manager in September 2012 to Lead Case Manager in 2021. In February 2022, she was promoted to Assistant Program Coordinator of the Hope Rising Program.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of the District of Columbia, and is currently working toward a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work. Mary is a resident of Prince George’s County, MD, and in her spare time she enjoys being with family, roller skating, and live music.
Kisha Jordan
Kisha Jordan earned a degree in Social Work at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. She started working at HOR in 2013, starting as a part-time Life Skills Trainer at the Herspace Program. In 2016, Jordan was selected to be a Family Case Manager at the Herspace Program. In 2021, she transitioned to the Madison Program as the Assistant Program Coordinator. Kisha Jordan is grateful for the opportunities that House of Ruth has provided to her. Her passion is to help those in need and to uplift the women she serves.
Tara Villanueva
Tara began volunteering two afternoons a week at Kidspace in 1994 then graduated to working as a substitute teacher for the summer. She moved away to finish college then returned as a full-time employee in 2000. Tara has a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in Special Education from George Mason University. Tara is married with two young children. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, baking and social Latin dancing.
