AAH Staff

David L. Moore – Executive Director
David Moore joined the Alliance Against Homelessness of Bergen County, Inc. (AAH) in January of 2008 as the agency’s Residential Director. David has management experience working with individuals with severe mental illnesses as well as mental retardation and physical handicaps. David worked with men and women in a head injury recovery center for several years in Pennsylvania which began his interest in improving the lives of others through a commitment to optimism and a focus on individual ability. After leaving this direct care organization, David volunteered as a facilitator for a teen support group for gay and lesbian young people. This experience led to his employment with the Mental Health Association of Orange County where he supervised and trained teenagers who were interested in reaching out to their peers. The focus of that program was to avert teen pregnancy, offer assistance to teenagers who were contemplating suicide and to provide counsel to young people struggling with everyday issues.

In 1997, David began working for Archways, a progressive residential program in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, whose motto incorporated belief in the ability of each person to achieve specific milestones of independence. David managed a 21 bed residence there and worked with clients who had backgrounds of drug and alcohol abuse as well as severe mental illness. While in Florida, David obtained a degree in English and Writing from Florida Atlantic University. He completed his Master’s Degree in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in April 2011, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

David was promoted to Interim Executive Director in March of 2011 at AAH and was promoted again in April 2011 to Executive Director. His willingness to try new things and an attitude that refuses to be limited by the status quo gives an overall positive spirit to the organization. David has a strong belief in any person’s ability to overcome obstacles. His upbeat attitude has become a force within AAH that infects those around him.

“I am enthusiastic about the growth opportunities for AAH. Creating a strong foundational core within the agency will set a higher standard of support for others to follow. I also believe that through an awareness campaign our agency will see an outpouring of support from the residents of Bergen County who believe in the simplicity and model of our programs. The success of our programs of encouraging and supporting the independence and growth of homeless men and women living with a serious mental illness speaks for itself.”

David believes there a very few limits to the success AAH can achieve.

Jennifer Phillips – Housing Director jen
Jennifer Phillips came to AAH in May 2010 as the agency’s House Manager. She has considerable experience working with those diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness and was inspired to work with this population while completing her undergraduate coursework in psychology. Shortly after college she was offered a job as a Family Advocate for the Intensive Family Support Services program at Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare. In this position, she provided supportive counseling and community referrals to families who had loved ones living with mental illness. During her experience at Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare she was also offered a position as the Partial Care Specialist where she conducted group therapy and was in charge of maintaining the Medicaid statistical data for the program. One group that she was especially proud of was a baking group that encouraged clients to practice and learn culinary skills; benefitting those in the program.

Jennifer received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from Monmouth University. She completed her Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology in March 2011. She is excited about this opportunity to work with not only our outstanding staff but can honestly say that AAH really does provide “Housing with a Heart!” Jennifer was promoted to Housing Director in May 2011. Her experience with AAH has encouraged her to move forward with the organization and push her skills beyond her previous experience. Jennifer has been an outstanding support for both the administrative staff as well as the clients. Her calm demeanor and empathetic ear have broadened the scope of services AAH offers to its clients and has been encouraging to see.

Patrick O’Hara LCSW, Clinical Consultant
Janet Carp, Administrative Assistant
Donna Cairo, Receptionist
Evelyn Guercio MSW, Residential Counselor
Dennis Kraft, Peer Counselor
Ken Moy, Peer Counselor
Kelly Riordan, Per-diem Peer Counselor.