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Meet the Board of Directors Philip Bloom President
 Philip Bloom, has been on the Board for the Center for Youth Activity for over seven years and has been active in the not-for-profit arena for more than 15 years having served with the de Hoernle Alzheimer's Pavilion as a board member and was Board Chair for two years. Mr. Bloom has participated in all aspects of finance and real estate for over twenty five years. For the past seven years, served as a senior loan officer for commercial banks.
Roz Eisenstark Vice President
Ellen Joy VahabExecutive Director
 Ellen Joy Vahab, a single mother of three, is the highly effective Executive Director of the Youth Activity Center. Her leadership has resulted in a program that meets the needs of the children and family of the Youth Activity Center, many of whom face the challenges of language and finances as immigrants. The most important characteristics Ellen demonstrates consistently include warmth, caring, fairness, patience, understanding, enthusiasm, and optimism. The fine reputation that the Youth Activity Center has earned is due primarily to Ellen’s skillful management of staff and positive interactions with the Center's children and parents. The positive experiences these families have, combined with the Youth Activity Center's reputation in the area public schools, have led to recommendations for additional families to apply to the program. Ellen has accommodated the needs of students, while maintaining the required staff to student ratios. Ellen continues to maintain high goals and standards at the Center, through her dedication, hard work, commitment and energy. As Executive Director, Ms. Vahab continues to be a leader who inspires others and contributes to better life for all the children of the Youth Activity Center.
Rose Feinberg, Ed.D Secretary
Rose Feinberg has been the Secretary of the Youth Activity Center Board since 2004. Currently, Rose is an adjunct faculty member at Florida Atlantic University, where she teaches graduate course in the Educational Leadership program. Prior to joining the Center's Board in 2004, Rose was a school administrator in Massachusetts for more than twenty-five years. She was an elementary school principal for ten years in Belmont, Massachusetts. Prior to that, Rose held central office positions with K-12 responsibilities related to curriculum, staff development, reading, gifted & talented, supervision/evaluation support for principals and teachers, and other areas. Rose earned her Doctor of Education degree from Boston University, and served on the Advisory Board of the Principals' Center at Harvard University. She consulted with organizations and school districts in the United States and at the International School of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Her prior work experiences in business and educational publishing provide perspectives that enhance her understanding of organizations and leadership.
Rose loves the work of the Youth Activities Center and the difference it makes in children's lives and learning.
Tena CruzTreasurer
Sheri Rothenberg Fundraising
Nicole Mark, D.O., FAAP Wellness
Dr. Mark is a board certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is licensed in Florida and New Jersey. Dr. Mark graduated from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale and received her pediatric training at the University of Florida. She has practiced pediatrics in South Florida since 2002 and has also served as the Director of Wellness at the Youth Activity Center in Boca Raton since 2005. Dr. Mark has always had a strong interest in prevention of disease and obesity as well as to educate parents and children on the importance of good nutrition and exercise. She devotes herself today to promoting the values of healthy living. Offiong Mkpong Past President
A graduate of Ohio State University, Offiong, received his PhD in Agronomy. He has been a professor at Palm Beach Community College in Boca Raton since 1990. At PBCC, Offiong teaches biology, botany, environmental conservation, chemistry and lab as needed. His research on Purification, Characterization, and Localization of Linamarase in Cassava has been published with the American Society of Plant Biologists. He has been an integral part of YAC since 1995.
Meet the Staff "Miss" Sharon Program Director
 “Miss” Sharon has been at the Youth Activity Center since 1999. She has a BA in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University and another BA in Philosophy/Psychology from Queens College. As Program Director, her duties include maintaining and updating client files. She plans the daily and monthly schedules, as well as any field trips or special events. She teaches Champs Academic Enrichment classes four times a week and assists with homework and other academic projects. Janna Beale Kindergarten & 1st Grade Teacher
 "Miss" Janna has been working at the Youth Activity Center for five years. She’s responsible for the Kindergarten and First Graders, helping them with their homework and school projects. She also supervises them at the playground and tennis courts. Janna is proud to say that she’s a local girl, she graduated from Olympic Heights High School in 2000 and resides in Boca Raton. Her greatest joy is working with the children at YAC and she can truly say they have a great time together. Janna gets a great feeling of accomplishment when she sees they understand their homework and enjoys seeing children of all races playing together. Janna believes that her time at YAC is truly fulfilling and rewarding. Steve Waldman 2nd Grade Teacher
Steve Waldman joined the Y.A. C. staff in 1998. He retired from teaching social studies on Long Island in 1997. Steve taught social studies for 36 years at three high schools and two middle schools. For eight years he was the Principal of the West Islip School District’s Summer School Program. In this capacity, he was elected the President of the New York State Summer School Principal’s Association. Steve taught at both New York Institute of Technology and at Long Island University. He was elected a trustee of the Sayville Library and served as its President for two years. Additionally, Steve was the President of the Long Island Council for the Social Studies and the Vice-President of the West Islip Teacher’s Association. He was selected to help write the New York State Curriculum on the Holocaust. Steve was named a Korean Studies Fellow and studied Korean culture in Korea. He was also awarded a National Endowment of the Humanities award to study American History at Princeton University as well as a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship to study at Emory University. In 1997, Steve and his wife, Lenore retired to Boynton Beach. He keeps busy serving as the Chair of the Education and Youth Advisory Board in Boynton Beach, volunteering at Boynton Beach High School, and he was appointed to the Palm Beach League of Cities’ Scholarship Committee and Education Committee. The Palm Beach League of Cities appointed Steve to the Palm Beach School District’s Advisory Boundary Committee. Recently, he was named to the Scholastic Achievement Foundation’s Board. Steve and his wife, Lenore, have been married for 47 years and have two children. Their daughter, Sandy, is the Assistant Controller for PBS. Sandy has two wonderful boys, Ethan (4 yrs old) and Jake (1 ½ years old). Their son, Craig, is an Antitrust attorney and his wonderful son is Sam who is 9 months old. Steve loves working at the Y.A.C. because the children here are so great.
"Miss" Chris Art Teacher
"Miss" Chris works with the Boca Museum of Art. "Miss" Chris has been teaching a "Meet a Master" art program for the past three years at the Youth Activity Center. Through lecture, slides and "hands-on" crafts, the children learn all about various artists. Chris' program is taught one day a week and culminates in a field trip/tour of the Boca Museum of Art.
Ms. Jean Waldane Maintenance Supervisor
"Miss" Jean "wears many hats" as she maintains and organizes the buildings and grounds of our Center. She is also in charge of all the food and drinks. At times, Jean may also pick up children from schools or drive them on field trips. Jean also substitute teaches when necessary. "Miss" Jean does it all! |
