OUR TEAM
Jessica Delacruz
Founder/CEO
Greetings Angels! My name is Jessica Delacruz and I serve as the Founder and CEO of Certified Angels. I graduated from William Paterson University in 2014, where I received a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology. I am currently pursuing my Masters in Nonprofit Management at Rutgers University. I have developed a passion for working with the youth of Passaic through my amazing employment opportunities with organizations such as NJ After 3, the Boys and Girls Club of Passaic/Paterson, Urban Crisis Council Daycare, and the Passaic Board of Education. My favorite forms of art are dance and drama. When I am not "helping our youth spread their wings," I enjoy dancing, shopping, decorating, watching movies, family time, and planning for the future of Certified Angels. One of the things that fulfills me most in life is "making a difference." Thank you for enabling me to inspire, motivate, believe, and make a difference in the lives of our youth by supporting this movement!
Amanda Rivera
Executive Director
Greetings Angels! My name is Amanda Rivera and I am the Executive Director for Certified Angels. My calling in life has always been to work with youth. I began working with children in 2007, and have since been involved in what I would like to call my true life's passion. My favorite form of art is Photography; with the snap of a finger you can capture so many beautiful memories. As the old saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
Alexandra Saharig
Board of Trustees Member
Greetings Angels! My name is Alexandra Saharig and I serve as a Board of Trustees member for Certified Angels. In 2011 I graduated from Montclair State University with a B.A in Psychology and am currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Child Advocacy & Policy. I have always had a passion for working with children and families having worked for the Passaic Mental Health Clinic and later as a Family Worker for Passaic Family Head Start. My current role as a Technical Assistant Specialist with New Jersey’s quality rating improvement system, GrowNJKids has provided me with a different platform in advocating for quality early childhood care in school district and Head Start programs. I have had the privilege of working alongside this wonderful organization since its inception and have witnessed great successes as it continues to offer a safe space for youth to bring out their most inner talents! My favorite form of art is music and dance, as it allows you to express yourself through movement, while music soothes the soul. When I am not "helping our youth spread their wings," I enjoy dancing, meditating, working out and being the best mama I can be!
Germaine Gibbson
Board of Trustees Member
I serve as a Board of Trustees member for Certified Angels. I’m employed by the Passaic Board of Education as a Payroll Clerk. Twenty years ago I began working to bring some holiday cheer to a group of children from the Passaic Housing Authority Tutorial program. What started out with twenty-five children that year has turned into over a hundred each year thereafter. Five years ago I expanded to “Be A Santa to a Senior”, which is a senior citizen holiday program. I am currently the first Vice President of the Passaic Optimist Club, which works year-round to provide scholarships to graduating seniors at Passaic High School. We dedicate all that we do, to enrich the lives of the children in our community. As a wife, mother of three, and grandmother, I have made it a mission to bring happiness and delight to all that I meet. I’m thankful to God for the gifts he has given me and how he continues to bless me and my loved ones. If I can be a blessing to someone, who am I to say no, that’s why he gave me those gifts. I’m often asked, “Why do you do what you do? I simply answer, “Why not!”
Jessica Reyes
Board of Trustees Member
Greetings Angels! My name is Jessica Reyes and it has been an honor and privilege to serve as a Board of Trustees member for Certified Angels since its inception. I graduated from Montclair State University in 2011, where I received a B.A. in family and child studies and my K-5 teaching certification. Since 2007, I have gained hands-on experience working with a wide-range of youth while employed by organizations such as NJ After 3, the Boys and Girls Club of Passaic/Paterson, Urban Crisis Council Daycare, Passaic Board of Education, and Butler Board of Education, where I am currently employed. My favorite form of art is dance. There are shortcuts to happiness and dancing is one of them. When I am not "helping our youth spread their wings," I enjoy decorating, traveling, eating well, volunteering, exercising and being a mom!
Lizette Rivera
Board of Trustees Member
Greeting Angels! My name is Lizette Rivera and I serve as a Board of Trustees member for Certified Angels. I graduated from Montclair State University in 2009, where I received a B.A. in Family and Child Studies. I was hired as a Teacher in Passaic that same year after serving as a paraprofessional for nine years. I furthered my education by receiving two masters. I have a masters in English as a Second Language (2015) and a second masters as a Reading Specialist (2018) through New Jersey City University. I have worked in the education field for the last twenty four years and enjoy every moment of helping our youth spread their wings. My passion for my continued learning has been for the benefit of helping all students who walk into my classroom. I want to give them the confidence that they are loved, valued and capable of achieving all they strive for. With hard work and determination, the sky’s the limit. When I am not helping our youth spread their wings I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, shopping and meditating on scriptures.
