Staff

Tia Aery

Executive Director

Tia has been involved with Interfaith Hospitality Network for over ten years. Starting as a volunteer in her church, Tia increased her involvement with IHN by joining the board of trustees for six years, serving as president for three years. She assumed the leadership of the organization as executive director in October 2007. Tia is a graduate of Colgate University and worked for United Brands Company and Chemical Bank in human resources and affirmative action. As a mother of four children, Tia is especially passionate about issues that affect low-income families.

Brenda Myrick, MPA, MSW

Director of Social Services

Brenda joined Interfaith Hospitality Network in September 2009 after spending 11 years working with the homeless population at various organizations. As director of social services, Brenda is responsible for our intake process which includes screening, assessing, and interviewing potential clients. She also provides our families with case management, referrals and advocacy services, manages our 14-bed shelter network and transitional housing program and more.

Ellen Donker

Development Associate

As development associate, Ellen is responsible for coordinating programs to increase the organization's support base among individuals. This includes communications to donors in person, and via print and online media. Previously, Ellen spent 18 years in marketing both at the corporate and small business levels.

Sidney Edwards

Van Driver

Sidney handles the transportation of clients in our network. Each evening he drives them from the IHN Family Day Center to the hosting congregation where they are staying for the week. In the morning he returns them to the IHN Family Day Center from where children are brought to school and parents leave for work. Sidney also pitches in where needed with various errands to assist the office and our clients.

Danita Hinnant

Case Manager

As a Case Manager, Danita Hinnnant works with families in the congregational shelter and permanent housing programs to help them become self-sufficient.

Danita is a graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Social Work degree and upcoming plans to work toward her master’s degree. Her choice of majors was driven by personal experience that gave her a strong desire to help other families get through the struggles her own family faced.

Equipped with an outgoing personality and a gentle spirit, Danita believes in making a difference in the world even if it’s a small one, one day at a time.