Staff members serve the community
Patricia Tomka (Pat) Executive Director – Pat has been with WeCAHR for 19 years and is the parent of a son with a developmental disability. Besides her daily executive director responsibilities, she advocates for adults with disabilities living in the community. She is the coordinator of the Parent to Parent Program for Greater Danbury, and has been a speaker at various Parent to Parent conferences.
Jeanne Braude-Magi Lead Advocate – Jeanne has been with WeCAHR for 18 years. Before joining WeCAHR, Jeanne was a nurse at Danbury Hospital In addition to a certification in alcohol/drug detoxification, Jeanne was recently trained in administration of smallpox vaccine. Her experiences with WeCAHR are: special education advocacy, institutional issues, and community advocacy. Jeanne is also the advisor to the People First Chapter at the Southbury Training School .
Dale Brown , advocate – Dale has been at WeCAHR for five years. Dale provides advocacy for individuals who live in the Danbury area. Dale spends most of his time at the Southbury Training School where he advocates for 20 individuals. Dale also advocates for two former STS residents now living in the community. He was the project manager for Stetson Place , responsible for interviewing and selecting individuals to become homeowners in a condominium complex. He also is the advisor to the People First Group in Danbury .
Linda Rietschel Advocate – Linda, who has a B.A. from SUNY Buffalo, is a special education advocate and community outreach coordinator. She has been at WeCAHR for 4 years, and advocates for children with developmental, psychiatric and physical disabilities that attend public school. She organizes and teaches the “Understanding Special Education” course in the fall and spring. Linda is a frequent writer and speaker on autistic spectrum issues and has participated in conferences and workshops on mental health issues and issues relating to the transition to adulthood.
Lisa Marcaino Advocate – Lisa provides advocacy services to adults and children with disabilities, focusing mainly on educational issues. She has extensive knowledge and life experience in the areas of the Autism Spectrum, ADHD and Sensory issues. Lisa, a member and co-facilitator of the Danbury-area Autism Spectrum Parent Support Group, helps promote Autism Awareness in our community.
Martha Burr Executive Assistant – Martha has been with WeCAHR for 14 years. Martha answers the phone, provides information, maintains the data base, and is in change of all the day-to-day responsibilities of running a busy office.
Emma Farrell Office Assistant – Emma has been at WeCAHR for seven years. Emma answers the phones, helps with mailings and other clerical tasks. Emma enjoys being at WeCAHR and with her fellow co-workers.