Staff

Kathie Southern has more than 25 years of nonprofit experience in the Central Florida area. As the Executive Director of Family Promise of Greater Orlando, Ms. Southern will continue to grow and expand the agency to ensure families experiencing homelessness will find a safe place to call home.

Prior to joining Family Promise in Orlando, Ms. Southern was the Director of Education and Community Relations at Heartland for Children for the past 13 years. While in that role, she was responsible for the oversight of Child Abuse Prevention efforts for the tri-county area and many other initiatives on behalf of children and families. Ms. Southern has dedicated 27 years of her life to helping those in the community who need it the most.

Ms. Southern attended the University of Florida where she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and the University of Central Florida where she received a Master of Science in Health Services Administration.

Carin Anderson is the Development Manager for Family Promise. In this role for the past five years, Ms. Anderson cultivates individual and corporate donors as well as oversees initiatives such as events, direct mail campaigns, grant writing and agency communication.

She attended Emory University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in English and obtained a Master’s Degree in Communications from the University of Florida.

Corey Berg is the Housing Program Supervisor for Family Promise of Greater Orlando. Prior to this position, he was a Program Manager at the Juvenile Assessment Center under the Department of Juvenile Justice. For the past four years, he also worked with Positive Behavioral Solutions providing mental health services to adolescents, adults and families suffering from behavioral and mental health issues including, depression, Autism, ADHD, PTSD, schizophrenia, anxiety, bipolar and substance abuse.

He brings over 10 years of experience serving underprivileged families in need and helping link them to community resources such as case management, housing, mental health, and substance abuse services. Mr. Berg has a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in Psychology and Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree from the University of Cincinnati.

Vereuch Simmons is the Operations Manager for Family Promise of Greater Orlando. He has worked in this capacity since 2021. Prior to his work at Family Promise, Mr. Simmons worked at Heartland for Children as the Community Engagement Specialist. He was accountable for connecting with community members and organizations, donors, and businesses to support the agency’s initiatives including protective services, foster care, adoptions, independent living, prevention, family preservation, family support services, and other related services. He brings over seven years of experience in the non-profit sector.

Mr. Simmons attended Florida International and received a Bachelor’s Degree and then received a Master’s of Arts in Strategic Communication and Innovation from Texas Tech.

Hary Desir is a Housing Case Manager/Success Coach for Family Promise of Greater Orlando. He has worked in this capacity since 2019. Prior to his work at Family Promise, Mr. Desir worked at the Jewish Family and Children’s Service Center of Greater Philadelphia for 14 years as a social worker and case manager. He brings over 17 years of experience in the non-profit sector.

Mr. Desir attended Hunter College where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

Sylvana Hayling is a Housing Case Manager/Success Coach for Family Promise of Greater Orlando. She has worked in this capacity since 2020. Prior to her work at Family Promise, Ms. Hayling worked for the Bermuda Government as Financial Assistance Manager. She brings over 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector.

Ms. Hayling received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology.

Shaina Moore is a Bridge Housing Coordinator for Family Promise of Greater Orlando. She began working for Family Promise in 2021. Prior to her work at Family Promise, Ms. Moore was a member of the U. S. Air Force for seven years. She has a Master’s Degree of Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

Pamela Pinder, Shelter Case Manager with Family Promise of Greater Orlando 2023. Prior history, 30 years in Social Service providing support services for families in Central Florida. Before Family Promise worked at Seniors First for 11 years as a Case Manager Supervisor responsible for overseeing department operations and compliance with federal, state, and municipal statues and grant specifications. Major focus was to ensure seniors in crisis received needed services.

Attended Jacksonville Theological College and Seminary and received a Doctorate in Christian Counseling and she is an ordained minister.

Heidi Ramírez is the Shelter & Community Outreach Specialist for Family Promise of Greater Orlando. She oversees the Shelter Program for the agency including supervision of the Shelter Case Manager and coordinating the volunteers.

Prior to joining Family Promise of Greater Orlando, Ms. Ramírez taught English courses at Valencia College and Ana G. Méndez University. Ms. Ramírez attended BYU where she received a bachelor’s degree in family science with a human development emphasis. She later received a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Ana G. Mendez University.

Mary Jo Reynolds is a Housing Case Manager/Success Coach for Family Promise of Greater Orlando. She has worked in this capacity since 2023. Prior to her work at Family Promise, Ms. Reynolds worked for Camelot Community Care as a Certified Child Welfare Case Manager. She is a member of American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and is currently working toward her CFLE credential (Certified Family Life Educator). She brings over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector.

Ms. Reynolds received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Family and Child Science from New Mexico State University.

Vivien Saunders is a Housing Case Manager/Success Coach for Family Promise of Greater Orlando. Prior to her work at Family Promise, Ms. Saunders worked at The Providencia Group as a Unification Specialist/Case Manager.

Ms. Saunders attended Carlos Albizu University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree.