Coaching & Case Management Staff

Alexander Jewish Family Service has a diverse staff to help clients with a variety of needs including: aging, disabilities, disaster recovery, abuse, financial stability or something else, they're here to help.

We are people helping people.

Jessica Bursten

Case Management Specialist

Jessica Bursten is a Licensed Master Social Worker in Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas and a Master of Social Work degree from New York University. Jessica's primary focus at Alexander Jewish Family Service is with senior adults, encouraging their independence and autonomy. She managers our intake line and encourages all individuals who may need assistance to reach out and ask for help. Jessica uses her skills and knowledge to assist with our database by creating reports, fixing services, and more.

 

Case Management Specialist
Jessica Bursten
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Justin Cannon, LCSW

Case Management Specialist and Financial Stability Coach

Justin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Jackson State University and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Houston. He has experience with Case Managment, individual and group therapy, and financial coaching. He believes in cultivating safe spaces for all individuals regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or sexuality. 

Case Management Specialist and Financial Stability Coach
Justin Cannon, LCSW
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Marc Cohen

Senior Adult Case Manager & Holocaust Survivor Specialist

Marc Cohen is a native Houstonian.  He has spent the past 29 years working in non for profit primarily with clients with chronic disease and intellectual differences. Marc has been affiliated with Alexander  JFS since 2017 as a Case Manager.  His current role focuses on a client population asisting Holocaust Survivors and their families navigate all aspects of their lives.

Senior Adult Case Manager & Holocaust Survivor Specialist
Marc Cohen
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Alicia Coleman

Holocaust Survivor Specialist

Alicia Coleman is a Senior Adult Case Manager and Financial Literacy Coach at Alexander Jewish Family Service. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health from the University of Houston and received a Master of Science in Health Education at Sam Houston State University.

Alicia has experience in planning and implementing community education programs and seminars dedicated to protecting, empowering and improving the quality of life of each client is among the many hats she has worn. She enjoys helping others and transitioned into case management where can be a part of the lives of her clients and see their growth.

Alicia believes that confusion and struggles can be signs that one is on the right path. So, she takes small steps everyday and progress over perfection.

Holocaust Survivor Specialist
Alicia Coleman
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Adele Croft

Case Management Specialist

Adele Croft is a Case Management Specialist and Financial Coach at Jewish Family Service. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from The University of Texas at Austin. For the past ten years, she has been honored to serve at Alexander JFS as a safety net for those in need. She has experience working with individuals and families and firmly believes in providing a comprehensive, holistic approach within the realms of case management and financial coaching, encouraging and empowering individuals and families by addressing all facets of their lives (vocational, emotional, social and health) to achieve long lasting financial stability and self-sufficiency. Adele also spearheads the application process for our interest-free student loan and scholarship program.

Through a lens of compassion and empathy, Adele is passionate about helping individuals and families overcome their challenges and collaborating with them to create a personalized plan that provides services and resources. Adele’s goal is to support immediate needs while simultaneously building a pathway towards long-term stability.

Case Management Specialist
Adele Croft
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Brenda Fitch

Case Management Specialist

Brenda Fitch joined Alexander Jewish Family Service in 2016 bringing over 30 years of experience in disaster response, suicide prevention and crisis intervention skills. As a Case Management Specialist, Brenda expanded her areas of support to Alexander JFS clients to include Financial Coaching and applying mental health first aid training skills to enhance the interactions with our more challenged clients. Additionally, Brenda serves as the on-site Service Coordinator at an agency-partner senior housing community ensuring residents are receiving all eligible benefits available to them. Brenda continues to provide Alexander JFS clients a consistent, caring, commitment of supportive guidance and coaching techniques as they work together to achieve the client's goals for success.

Case Management Specialist
Brenda Fitch
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Irene Guerrero

Service Navigator/Life Planning Coach (Disability Services)

Irene Guerrero is a graduate of the University of Houston Clearlake from the Social Work Program and holds a BSW. Her primary focus at Alexander Jewish Family Service is with individuals living with disabilities, utilizing a client-centered approach to encourage advocating and independence.  She can assist with navigating through Government Benefits such as SSI/SSDI and offering research and referrals.

Service Navigator/Life Planning Coach (Disability Services)
Irene Guerrero
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Elyse Kunick

Home Care Office Assistant/ Senior Chavurout Program Coordinator

Elyse Kunick has been with Alexander Jewish Family Service since 2016.  She supports the Case Managers working with the Holocaust population in Houston, by providing supportive services and adminastrative support.  Additionally, she coordinates the Senior Chavurot Program providing Jewish themed programming to Senior Adult Facilities in the area, through music, spirit and educational programming.

Home Care Office Assistant/ Senior Chavurout Program Coordinator
Elyse Kunick
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Estela Wilkinson

Intake Coordinator & Case Management Specialist

Estela completed her AAS in Human Service Technology/Mental Health program at HCCS (2018) and a BA in History from the Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil (2006). With a passion to help individuals to overcome difficulties and become independent, Estela combines education and historical insight to offer compassionate support. Always eager to contribute positively to individuals' well-being, Estela values continuous learning and collaboration.

Intake Coordinator & Case Management Specialist
Estela Wilkinson
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Morgan Zeringue

Manager, Case Management Services

Morgan Zeringue graduated from the University of Houston, with a Masters in Social Work and a passion for program implementation. In April 2015, she began working at The Joan and Sanford Alexander Jewish Family Service in the Employment Services department, with continuing interest in program implementation, studying service gaps, and increasing service delivery. After a series of floods, hurricanes, and other local emergencies, Morgan was tasked to quickly build a large case management team to address the need.

Morgan put together what is recognized as one of the premiere Disaster Services team which serves Houston, as she found ways to maximize staff productivity, centralize the client process, and promote professional delivery of service with a layer of compassion. The team specializes in ensuring services are accessible, creating group support and helping clients access clinical services as needed. She is called upon throughout the city of Houston to present best practices in building Disaster Service case management teams and serves on the executive committees for both the local VOAD and the HCLTRC.

Morgan has served as the Manager of Coaching and Case Management Services since 2019 and works closely alongside a team of compassionate, dedicated professionals.

Manager, Case Management Services
Morgan Zeringue
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Would you like to help the community through partnering with Alexander JFS?

Our team will respectfully listen to your situation without judgement and in the strictest confidentiality help direct you to the best resources to resolve your situation. Whether you're struggling with housing or food insecurity, aging, disabilities, disaster recovery, abuse, financial stability or something else, we're here to help.