Tracy Mead
Executive Director
I earned my undergraduate degree (BS) in Finance and Political Science from the University of Dayton and then, with two offer letters in hand, I had to choose between a Peace Corps assignment, and business school. Business school won out, and I earned my Master’s degree in International Business Studies from the University of South Carolina. My career evolution has included roles in sales, operations and management in the construction equipment and coffee retail industries. Finally figuring out how to marry my training and background with my life’s purpose, I became Executive Director at Education & Life Training Center in 2007. I have been shaking things up in the realm of poverty alleviation and workforce development ever since, and was fortunate to join Team Awesome at Project Self-Sufficiency in January 2015.The daughter of an amazing single mom, my beliefs and values are firmly rooted in the concept of selfpower. Today, I get to use my business leader’s brain and experience and my social worker’s heart to support Team Awesome in maximizing the full human potential of our families by realizing their own selfpower. It does not get much better!
Audrey McElwain
Associate Director
I am passionate about empowering single-parent families and illuminating their selfpower, so they may have brighter futures. I have worked for many years in the nonprofit arena in various capacities with organizations that are changing lives. As a (half-time) single parent with two children of my own, I am frequently in awe of our amazing moms and dads who raise their kids on their own while going to school. Since 2013, I have applied my skills at Project Self-Sufficiency in operations management, database administration, donor development, and business systems. I earned a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from Duke University and have a BA from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
Daniela Morzos
Development Director
Having selfpower means breaking free from anything holding you back; making you feel mentally, emotionally, and physically powerless. Selfpower takes great courage and boundless motivation. My background is in psychology and sociology. I received a Bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Sic’ Em Bears! I am an alumna of Sigma Kappa Sorority and Programs/Ritual advisor to the Gamma Alpha Chapter at the University of Northern Colorado. I’m a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and volunteer with the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Oilfield Helping Hands. I have 11+ years’ experience raising sustainable funding for several amazing organizations within Boulder County, and I am honored to be a small part of Project Self Sufficiency, whose mission is to assist low-income single parents in their efforts to achieve economic independence.
Hannah Dahl, MSW, LCSW
Program Manager
I obtained my B.S. in Psychology and Criminal Justice with a Minor in Human Development and Family Science from North Dakota State University. I went on to earn my Master of Social Work from the University of Denver. My educational experience ignited my passion for advocacy and working with people, and my passion has only continued to grow throughout my work experience. I have worked with many individuals across different situations within different systems, and the common factor across all of my experience is my constant Strengths-Based approach. At Project Self-Sufficiency, I am able to continue my Strengths-Based work and partner with people to help them discover and embrace their selfpower. It is amazing to witness the transformations that occur among Participants as they move through their journey with Project Self-Sufficiency and realize their full potential.
Natasia Lovato Garcia
Program Coordinator
I earned my Undergrad Degree (BS) in Human Development & Family Studies with a concentration in Prevention & Intervention Sciences at CSU. I have worked in several different roles in the non-profit sector in Larimer County since 2013. My career began in admin positions with Prevention & Intervention services and eventually turned into implementing and facilitating evidence-based programs to educate youth and their families about substance abuse, resilience and mental health. While my previous roles were working with youth, my journey led me to this organization when I became a single parent who was ready to advance my career in previous years. The dedication and determination of Participants have led me to become passionate about motivating, pushing and helping single parents achieve and acknowledge their selfpower. I am happy to say I get to combine my passion, my roles in nonprofit organizations and my own selfpower to an advanced career with a wonderful team!
Connie DeMercurio
Finance Coordinator
I have been with Project Self-Sufficiency in 2001, first as a volunteer and on the staff since 2003. I process Accounts Payable and Receivable, manage the Boundless Children’s Fund, Holiday Programs, “Cool Kids” Back-to-School Clothing Program and other various financial duties.
I believe that we gain great strength and selfpower by challenging ourselves to meet goals that we never dreamed we could accomplish. It takes hard work and perseverance, but most importantly a step-by-step plan. Project Self-Sufficiency assists Participants to not only create that plan, but to remove barriers that might prevent them from reaching those goals. I love being a part of this process and watching the transformation from the time a Participant enters our program to the time they graduate!
Robin Adams
Program Advisor
I received my Master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado in 2014 and I have been working in the career counseling and advisement field ever since. I absolutely love partnering with people as they work to achieve their goals and use their selfpower to reach their full potential! Every person has such amazing strengths and capabilities, so helping them to see those and utilize them in a way that changes their life is incredibly rewarding. In my free time, I love being outdoors with my little family and two dogs exploring our beautiful state and finding adventure! I’m so proud to be a part of this wonderful organization and can’t wait to see what the future holds for our Participants.
Stephanie Alley
Program Advisor
When my son was born, I became a stay-at-home mom due to not having a degree and the rising cost of child care. Moving to a one-income household it became increasingly harder to make ends meet. Once my son entered first grade, I decided to enroll at FRCC and begin pursuing my education in social work. In 2014, at the age of 41, I received my Bachelors of Social Work from CSU. I worked for seven years at Neighbor to Neighbor helping low-income parents realize their selfpower and move towards self-sufficiency. Project Self-Sufficiency’s mission and vision are the reason I joined the team and am so happy to be here for the Participants we serve!
Nicole Gawronski, BSW
Program Advisor
I was raised by a low-income, single mother and am a proud first-generation college graduate. I have experienced first-hand the power of education to completely transform possibility!
As a student, I worked in crisis centers, homeless shelters and residential treatment programs and witnessed thousands of small miracles in human resiliency and courage that I carry with me. I graduated from Colorado State University in 1990 with my BSW, resolve to remember where I came from & battle poverty, one person at a time. I began my career at The Women’s Center of Larimer County. At Alternatives To Violence, I provided emergency assistance/advocacy for victims, and created a sexual assault awareness program serving adolescents. I landed my dream job in 1992 when I joined Project Self-Sufficiency.
Jamie Lococo
Program Advisor
I received my Bachelors in Social Work at Colorado State University and began working with fathers to engage in meaningful work on themselves and the relationship with their children. I then went on to work as a Coach/Case Manager specializing in low-income families experiencing barriers to self-sufficiency and stability. During this work, I saw a need for a more in-depth, empowering approach to working with families to truly address the depths of barriers that impacted reaching their full potential. While continuing my work with families, I completed my Master’s degree in Family Therapy from Regis University. I believe that there is a selfpower “light” in everyone and that occasionally it takes someone one else to point it out, in order for it to shine! I am so excited to be a part of an organization that empowers single parents to find and implement their selfpower in a way that best fits their life and increases economic stability.
Chrissa Percival, MBA, RPCV
Program Advisor
I earned my B.A. in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz before embarking on my first career in restaurant management. After many wonderful years, I found my heart calling to help others & joined the Peace Corps. Serving in Ghana, West Africa, I was a Small Enterprise Development Project Manager gravitating towards assignments that specifically served women & children. After returning stateside, I earned an Impact M.B.A. from Colorado State University, which perfectly blended my business mind with my heart to serve others. After graduation, I became the Program Director at Family Housing Network, formalizing their programs & increasing positive outcomes.
Throughout my life I have felt the pull towards work assisting people to make big changes in their lives for the better. My mother was never afforded the opportunity of higher education and firmly instilled in me how precious my privilege of receiving one was to ensure I had the freedom to direct my own life. I am blessed to now have the opportunity to pass that on to others as a Project Self-Sufficiency Program Advisor.
Yaricza Castaneda
Program Advisor
I was a first-generation Latinx student. I have a B.A in Sociology and in 2021 I graduated with a Masters in Social Work from Colorado State University. I am currently working on my LCSW hours and I have a behavioral health certificate. I grew up very low-income from Mexican immigrant parents. I am from Pomona, California but have lived in Colorado for many years now. My first language was Spanish.
I became a single mom during my first year of undergrad and I had dropped out when my partner discouraged me. I was a young mom trying to balance working and all the other stressors at that time. Eventually, I left the unhealthy relationship, then decided to finish school. I found WomenGive and Project Self-Sufficiency this time to help me navigate college and childcare. As a graduate student, I was working as a case manager providing resources and support to Larimer and Weld County families. I am excited to be working here at Project Self-Sufficiency because I believe in our mission and values. I believe in the power of education to help transform your life through your resiliency! You own your story and you can find your selfpower!
Jan Barela-Smith
Program Advisor
Bio coming soon!
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