Tri-Town Shelter Services

Pieter Nijssen is the Executive Director. A native of the Netherlands and first generation immigrant, his parents came to the United States in pursuit of the American dream. After spending several years in the private sector, he entered the public sector. From 1986-1996, he and his wife served as missionaries, during which their children were born in the Rep. of South Africa. Having fulfilled this ten-year commitment, Pieter returned to the social service profession as a Case Manager and Instructor at an adult skills training center serving TANF recipients, after which he reentered shelter work as a Case Manager prior to joining us.

After working in various ministerial capacities for over ten years, during which he fulfilled increased duties, Andrew Berryhill relocated back to Connecticut . His educational background and previous years of serving, encouraging, and equipping others, is a natural fit, given the Agencies core values and empowerment model. He brings a presence and perspective that benefits everyone.

Prior to coming to us, Lisa Gray worked as a Certified Nurses Aide for 15 years and spent 10 years in the retail industry, during which her last three years she was Assistant Manger. She offer a unique blend of caring, communication, and customer service skills that are transferable and valued. She is loyal, dependable, easily trainable, and a team player.

Rey Ruiz has a degree in Criminal Justice and has been in the helping profession since 1998. He previously worked in a facility for adjudicated juveniles, after which he worked as a Case Manager / Counselor for ADRC, Inc. This, along with his experience working at another shelter as Assistant Director, and being a Research Assistant at U-CONN Health Center, brings a level of knowledge and experience that makes us well-rounded.

Julie Rybacki is a Service Coordinator and has been in the social service profession since 1990 servicing a broad spectrum of people. Prior to joining us she worked at a shelter in another county and she is one of our most cross - trained staff. She continues to work per-diem as a C.N.A. at Pierce Memorial Baptist Home in Brooklyn and also at Milestone, a detox program in Putnam. This diversity of social service experience, and the resultant knowledge and insight this gives her, adds a necessary perspective to staff and ensures that resident service plans identify and address areas of need.

Evelyn Thorpe has been working at the Shelter since 1995 in various capacities and is one our most cross-trained staff. She holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice with a major in forensics and has over two decades of human service experience between the Legal Aide Society and Alternative Incarceration Program. Prior to coming to Connecticut she spent a number of years in St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands. While there she taught the 12-Step and related recovery modalities to a diverse population. Evelyn has earned continuing education credits from Case Western School of Social Work in Ohio, St. Joseph's College, Hartford and U-CONN's School of Social Work.

Charlene Williams has been with us since 1997 and is a part-time staff worker with a B.A. in Psychology. Previously she worked at the S.T.R.I.V.E. Program in New Britain serving teenagers. Since 1984 she has been working at Hartford Hospital. Charlene is non-judgmental and able to make others feel "at home."