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Team

Meet Our Staff

Sarah DeFlumeri
Executive Director

Gina Valerio, Assistant Director, joined the NYS team in 2018 as an undergraduate social work intern. Gina holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and is a Licensed Master of Social Work. Gina is very passionate about working with young people and helping them succeed in all aspects of life. In her spare time, Gina enjoys spending time at the beach, having Sunday dinners with her family, and spending time with her cat, Milo.

Mike Aquino
Prevention Coordinator

Lisa Hossein is the chair of the Step Up Naugy prevention coalition and is one of the project leaders for the Naugatuck Youth Garden Coalition. Lisa earned a bachelor degree in Public Health from The University of the People and is a lifelong resident of Naugatuck. She interned at NYS in 2023 and has remained a volunteer for the organization ever since. Lisa enjoys animals, spending time with her family, being outdoors, and making a positive impact in the Naugatuck community. 

Joe Taveras
Youth & Community Liaison

Giulia Conceicao joined Naugatuck Youth Services in January 2024 as an intern, became a Summer Youth Job Coach, and is now a Case Manager for the Youth Diversion Program. Giulia is a Senior at WCSU pursuing a bachelors in Social Work, interns for the Family, Schools, and Community Department of Danbury Public Schools, and is a Treatment Support Worker for FCA’s Therapeutic Girls Group Home. She plans to become a LCSW and continue evolving her career working with the youth. Giulia enjoys connecting with nature, spending time with family and friends, and learning about holistic health and wellbeing.

Leigh Disston
Recovery Coach

Eric Valedon bio coming soon!

Sarah DeFlumeri, Executive Director, was first a graduate intern at NYS in 2017. She holds a master’s degree in Community Psychology from the University of New Haven and has been passionate about prevention and the betterment of youth since her first job teaching children’s mixed martial arts. She is also an adjunct professor of psychology at the University of New Haven. When she is not working, you can find Sarah researching her family genealogy and celebrating Halloween every day.

Gina Valerio
Assistant Director

Michael “Mike” Aquino has been a part of Youth Services since the fall of 2022, working as a program assistant & psychology intern until May of 2023, when he became our full-time Prevention Coordinator! He holds a master’s degree in Community Psychology from the University of New Haven and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Connecticut (Go Huskies!). He is very energetic and is devoted to working with the youth of Naugatuck. He loves to spend time (and take pictures) with his cat, Finn, and loves watching the NY Jets & Connecticut Huskies Basketball.

Lisa Hossein
Youth Development Specialist

Joe Taveras, Youth & Community Liaison of Naugatuck Youth Services, joined NYS as a social work intern in 2020. He holds his bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Western Connecticut State University. Joe has lived in Naugatuck for 18 years and graduated from the Naugatuck Public School system, having volunteered for the NYS Police & Youth Partners program. In his spare time, he collects vintage video games. Joe’s collection includes over 300 games and 20 consoles.

Giulia Conceicao
Case Manager

Leigh Disston has been in the mental health and substance abuse field for over 10 years. She is a certified Recovery Coach with Narcan & QPR training and holds an associate's degree in marketing and advertising. Over her ten-year career, she has been a Detox Technician, Substance Abuse Clinical Intern, Program Coordinator, Life Coach, & Recovery Advisor. She achieves meeting the clients where they are at while being a huge advocate for the recoverees of the world. Everyone goes through their own journey when it comes to recovery. No way is the wrong way. When she is not working towards a better life for those fighting alcoholism and/or addiction(s), she is listening and rocking out to her favorite music.
 

Eric Valedon
Youth Job Coach