About SAFEchild of NC

SAFEchild Staff

Marjorie Menestres

Marjorie Menestres has dedicated most of her career to the family support movement, and has served as SAFEchild’s executive director since 1993. Since joining the agency in its infancy, Marjorie has built the organization into a powerful force for a variety of family-support programs, all aimed at preventing child abuse in Wake County. She has served on the boards of Mission House for Women and Triangle Family Services, and has been active on the United Way Family Issues Team, the Hispanic Equity Advisory Team, the Child Fatality Protection Team, and the Supervised Visitation Center Advisory Board.

Marjorie earned her Bachelor of Arts in education and her master's in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Florida. She also holds a master’s in education from NCSU and a certificate in non-profit management from Duke University. She was inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women in 2003 and received the Lichtin Family Award for Service in 2004. After so many years, Marjorie finds the challenges of SAFEchild's mission still fresh. "There is still so much more to do," she says.

Ginna Bustle

Ginna Bustle joined SAFEchild in 2000. As with so many SAFEchild staff members, she came to the organization as a volunteer and stayed. As the Nurturing Program coordinator and SAFEchild's volunteer contact, Ginna works with families, children, and volunteers to coordinate the agency's 12-week family education programs. The mother of three children, Ginna earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work from Boston University. Prior to coming to Raleigh, she worked with Child Protective Services in Boston and as an in-home therapist with Family Preservation. Ginna enjoys breaking down the barriers that exist when new families join the program.

Stephanie Castillo

Stephanie Castillo works with SAFEchild's Crianza Con Carino program, concentrating on urban families experiencing domestic violence. A native Venezuelan, she was reared in Canada and joined SAFEchild in 2002 after moving with her family to Raleigh. Stephanie holds a degree in social work from York University in Toronto. She is currently involved in a collaboration called Hope for Children where SAFEchild works with Interact and Triangle Family Services to refer families in need to services offered at all three agencies. Stephanie understands the cultural differences that can make it difficult for some families in Wake County and enjoys empathizing with her clients. "I love the way the children are so changed by the end of the program," she says. "SAFEchild is like a family; we rely on each other."

Cristin DeRonja

Cristin DeRonja heads one of SAFEchild’s newest programs, Circle of Parents, which offers graduates of SAFEchild courses the chance to continue to meet together to share experiences and reinforce newly learned parenting skills. Prior to joining the staff full-time in 2006, Cristin served as an intern at SAFEchild, working with the Nurturing Program, Welcome Baby, PLUS, and Funny Tummy Feelings. She received her undergraduate degree in education and psychology from Vanderbilt University and her master's in education and counseling at NCSU. She values being able to work with parents, children and other family members to model - not just teach - strong communication and other skills. "The more members of the family you touch, whether it's a traditional or non-traditional family unit - the bigger impact you have," she says.

Ginger Espino

PLUS program coordinator Ginger Espino is relatively new to the staff at SAFEchild but an old hand at volunteering. She has been a volunteer since 1998, working with Funny Tummy Feelings, the MENS program, various support groups, and the speakers' bureau. A former mental health therapist practicing individual and family therapy in South Carolina and more recently in Raleigh, Ginger has two children. She earned her BA in psychology from Wake Forest University and her master's in social work at the University of South Carolina. The families she works with at SAFEchild have enriched her life, according to Ginger. "Seeing them overcome adversity, meet obstacles with a smile, and be willing to try new ideas is thrilling every time," she says. "We parents are all so different, but there are universal truths in parenting and our children the same in so many ways."

Erika Gray

Erika Gray joined SAFEchild in September of 2007. She provides staff support, answers the phones, and greets our guests. When a new family comes to SAFEchild, Erika helps to make sure they get to the appropriate programs that are the best fit for them. Prior to coming to Raleigh, Erika was a project manager for Booz Allen and Hamilton in Washington, DC, where she was involved on the administrative side of projects for senior Department of Defense and U.S. Intelligence agency clients. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history from Radford University. "The SAFEchild mission and the passion of the staff, board of directors, and volunteers is unlike anything I've ever experienced," she says. "I feel fortunate to work with such a caring group of people who work so hard to put the well-being of children first."

Valerie Holland

Strengthening Families Program coordinator Valerie Holland is new to Raleigh, North Carolina, and SAFEchild. A former Adoptions & Licensing Specialist from Columbus, Ohio, she has been in the Social Work field since 1992. She earned her BS in Counselors Education from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. "SAFEchild is a new and exciting career change for me. I enjoy working with parents and their children in ways to make a positive difference in their lives."

Pilar Jennings

Pilar Jennings brings many talents as well as a variety of SAFEchild experiences to the position of Funny Tummy coordinator. Before undertaking the job, Pilar Jennings shared her talents as a Funny Tummy Feelings presenter for many years. And, when her son was born, Pilar enjoyed the support she received as a Welcome Baby and BABY program participant. Pilar has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Marquette University and earned an MBA from the University of San Francisco. In addition to volunteer work, Pilar was employed by IBM for 21 years. "IBM allowed me to achieve certain professional and financial goals, but my volunteer work is what fed my soul," says Pilar. "When I came to SAFEchild as a volunteer, I knew I had found my niche - I love working with the children, educating and empowering them to trust their instincts." Pilar and her husband have lived in Raleigh since 1989. They have one son.

Linda Nunnallee

SAFEchild’s development director brings a contagious enthusiasm for the agency to every interaction. Linda was president of SAFEchild's founding agency, the Junior League of Raleigh, during the agency's early years, and went on to serve on SAFEchild's board of directors for several terms, including one year as board president. She joined the staff in 2003, where she heads the annual campaign, special events, and the multi-year individual pledge program, Building Happy Childhoods. A graduate of Florida State in advertising and public relations with a minor in speech and marketing, Linda worked with the advertising agency Howard Merrell and Partners for nine years. During that time she served as President of the Triangle Advertising Federation. As a board member, Linda knew SAFEchild was doing important work, and as an educated Junior League member, she knew how great the need was. "Now I actually get to see the work being done to meets those needs!" she says.

Michelle Putterman

Michelle Putterman joined SAFEchild in 1995 as program coordinator for Welcome Baby, which pairs experienced moms with first-time moms for a year of in-home visits and special sharing time. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College and her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Cornell University. Michelle is also the mother of four children. Her work with Welcome Baby never pales, according to Michelle, because "there is always a new story - someone you connect with, a volunteer who inspires you, a staff member who supports you."

Linda Raynor

SAFEchild's office manager is the glue that holds the agency together. Since 1996, Linda Raynor has been able to satisfy her creative and analytical sides by doing whatever needs to be done to make the agency run smoothly. Prior to coming to Raleigh, Linda was office manager for Evergreen Legal Services in Seattle. She moved to be near her family and loves the variety the office manger position offers. "I like knowing we are doing something good for people," she says. "The kids are great."

Gemimah Rodriguez

As the coordinator for Crianza Con Carino for rural Wake County, Gemimah Rodriguez works in all corners of the county to reach Hispanic/Latino families and bring them the support they need. She earned her bachelor's degree in economics and business administration from Havana University in Cuba and holds a master's in theology and counseling from Costa Rica University. Since coming to the United States in 1992, Gemimah has worked extensively in substance abuse assessment and treatment. In 1999, she joined the staff of SAFEchild. "I help my families understand why they are how they are," she says. "And I help them know they can change."

Stacey Sullivan

Stacey Sullivan came to SAFEchild in 1997 as coordinator of the MENS program - Men Engaged in Nurturing Strategies. She works with fathers who have been convicted of domestic violence and are returning to their families. A licensed clinical social worker, Stacey has a degree in psychology from Furman University and a master's in social work from UNC-CH. Prior to joining SAFEchild, she was a family therapist for eight years. She has three children. "Parenting is a huge challenge for all of us," she says. "I teach other parents to be better parents - and always learn something myself!"