R.M. "Iray" Nabatoff, Executive Director

Iray Nabatoff arrived as a volunteer in New Orleans from Acworth NH during January 2006, expecting to stay only about 3 weeks. After working at the Made With Love Cafe and seeing first-hand the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Iray made a long-term commitment to helping with the recovery effort. He has been the volunteer Executive Director of the Community Center since its inception in April, 2006 and was named to the St. Bernard Parish Citizens Recovery Committee by the St Bernard Parish Council. Iray serves as Chair of St. Bernard Community Recovery and Vice-Chair of Unified Nonprofits of Greater New Orleans. And he is the Co-Chair of the Greater New Orleans Covering Kids & Families Coalition Representing St Bernard Parish.

During March 2007, Iray participated in a forum on Crisis Leadership at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC and in January 2009 he was invited to attend the RAND Gulf States Policy Forum. Iray's ongoing dedication to assisting the hurricane survivors in New Orleans has led the Times-Picayune newspaper to name him one of its “Heroes of the Storm”. In August, 2008 he received the "Footsteps to Growth" award from the St Bernard Parish Government for his role in the recovery effort, and in August 2009 he was named a "Hunger All-Star" by Tyson Foods for his work with the Community Center's Mustard Seed Food Pantry.

Iray also received a NFL Community Quarterback Award from the New Orleans Saints in December 2009 and was honored with a Louisiana Volunteer Service Award from Lt Governor Mitch Landrieu in February 2010. In April 2010 he was also named an Honored Citizen of St Bernard Parish by the Parish Council. Click Here to Email IRAY.

Sharon S. Ober PhD, Development Director

A retired volunteer from Pennsylvania, Sharon has been in the New Orleans area since January 2007. After 8 months with the Steven Spring Foundation in the Bywater, she began working at the Community Center in September 2007 and received an Honored Citizen Award from St Bernard Parish in April 2010. Click Here to Email SHARON.

Krystle Johnson, Mustard Seed Coordinator

Krystle is our new Mustard Seed Distribution Manager. She's a graduate of Georgia State University, currently working on her Master of Science through Capella University. Krystle has recently worked with Catholic Charities, Metropolitan Center for Women & Children, and the St Bernard Battered Women's Program, and we're glad to welcome her to the Community Center! Click Here to Email KRYSTLE.

Bryan Ritter, Food Pantry Assistant

A lifelong St Bernard resident, Bryan helps the food pantry distribute about 6,000 lbs of food every week. Click Here to Email BRYAN.

Patricia Noble, Administrative Assistant

Patricia is a long-time St Bernard resident who is now working at the Community Center doing information and referrals to help residents find the resources and assistance they need. Click Here to Email PATRICIA.

Dianne Leftridge, Administrative Assistant

Dianne also helps to run the office and do client referrals to make sure families are able to find the help they need. Click Here to Email DIANNE.

Elaine Dominio, Clothing Bank

I am a St Bernard Parish resident of 50 years. I love this place, and hope to be here another 50 years. I am now working at the Community Center. I enjoy meeting people from the Parish and from other states. This is a great place to work! Click Here to Email ELAINE.

Alyssa Beck, Louisiana Delta Service Corps

Hello! My name is Alyssa Beck and I am originally from Minneapolis, MN.  I went to college at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ and graduated with a degree in Biology.   I was a work/study student for the Division of Volunteer Efforts at my university, and became involved in many volunteer programs and activities.  I had the amazing opportunity to go on three service trips, two to El Salvador and one to Haiti.  Besides doing volunteer work, I also love to play sports, particularly soccer.  I enjoy spending time in the outdoors, and I also am an avid reader in my spare time.  I am very excited to live in New Orleans for the year and to work with the Community Center of St. Bernard!  Click Here to Email ALYSSA.

Cecilia Young, Security Guard

Cecilia joins us through the AARP Senior Community Employment Service Training Program and is helping to keep things running smoothly here at the Center. Click Here to Email CECILIA.