About the Storefront

As the Executive Director of The Children’s Storefront, Adeline leads a first-of-its-kind, free program that empowers parents to build their children’s brains in the first 1,000 days of life through the power of interactive play. With over 15 years of experience in social work, community organizing, and early childhood development, she is passionate about making social change work more effective and impactful for families and communities.

Sofie’s role combines design to enhance program effectiveness, collaboration with coaches, and sustaining partnerships. With a background in early childhood education and psychology, she transitioned from teaching to parent coaching. Her dedication to family and community support, informed by her experiences as a mother and educator, drives her work at the Storefront, where she supports diverse families and values the family-centered approach.

Kaitlin is a passionate and innovative Nonprofit Development professional who has spent two decades working with small and mid-sized NYC nonprofits in the pursuit of sustainability and resilience through institutional and individual donor engagement. The birth of her son and focus on her home neighborhood of Harlem led her to TCS, where she is thrilled to help build and sustain this community resource for fellow parents and their young children.

Daphne Martinez is the Operations Manager at The Children’s Storefront, where she plays an essential role in daily operations and strategic efficiency. She oversees administrative functions and resource management to support the organization’s mission. Daphne enjoys collaborating with a fantastic, dedicated team and contributing to community-focused projects that align with her professional values and aspirations.

One of Marylin’s favorite things in life is learning about the world through a child’s eyes. Her roots as an early childhood educator have led her to TCS. Marylin’s in-classroom experiences and knowledge of child development help her connect with Harlem families to support their child-rearing journey. She loves supporting the community because offering a safe place to play creates positive learning experiences for both caregivers and children.

Alex has worked with children in various roles for over 15 years, from sports camps, to family programming, to interactive theater for children on the autism spectrum. These experiences have shown him the importance of supportive, engaged adults in a child’s life. He loves that he gets to take the pressure off caregivers by teaching them how simple and fun it can be to support the growing brains of children.

Christine has worked in early childhood education for over 10 years. Her passion for working with children started at age 17; later, she realized that she also wanted to work with parents and caregivers of children in early childhood. Little did Christine know that the opportunity to work with parents, children, and the community at large would arise here at The Children’s Storefront, in a role combining all of her passions.

Maribel, a program coach at the Children’s Storefront, guides the development of children aged 3 months to 4 years, ensuring a strong foundation for future growth. With a background in early childhood education, psychology, and human services, and 4 years of nonprofit experience, she is passionate about supporting families and communities and loves witnessing the growth and happiness of the children and their families.

Dana, a Master’s in Social Work candidate, brings a solid foundation in clinical psychology and caregiver support to The Children’s Storefront. Since joining in September 2023, Dana has been dedicated to addressing caregiver needs through support groups and fostering connections in learn-and-play sessions. Dana takes great joy in witnessing the relationships that children and caregivers build, extending beyond The Children’s Storefront.

Hilary Woodard joins the Storefront as a part-time Development Associate, focusing on fundraising, donor research, acknowledgments, and data management. With experience in non-profit fundraising and development , she is passionate about the impact of early education and is committed to supporting Harlem’s families, believing in the importance of strong community connections for healthy development.

Maria has spent the past six years working with and advocating for survivors of sexual assault, victims of domestic violence, and those who have experienced child abuse. Nurturing her interest in supporting children and their families, she earned her master’s degree in Child Development Psychology, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work.

Alden’s focus in supporting families in Central Harlem and beyond lies at the intersection of research and practice, ensuring efforts to help children and families are both evidence-based and community-centered. She loves the early childhood years because of how magical and formative they are. She appreciates that the Storefront creates a vital third space where families connect and build support systems during this transformative time.