Parent Guides
Meet your guides...
Angie Miller
Co-director of Delaware Hands & Voices
Angie is a Chapter Board Member and Parent Guide. She has 2 hard of hearing sons, ages 15 and 18. Angie loves her job, because she gets to help other parents find their way and feel empowered to help their children reach their full potential, each in their own way. In her spare time, Angie likes to play in her garden and hike in the woods with her husband, children, and dogs.
Arielle Morris
Co-director of Delaware Hands & Voices
Arielle is a Chapter Board Member and Parent Guide. She is a mom to her 11 year old daughter Makayla, as well as her 8 year old daughter Madison, who at 22 months of age received bilateral cochlear implants. Both girls are endlessly energetic and love their playtime. Arielle lives in Hockessin, with her girls, husband Adam, and dog Mia. She is happy to be a part of the Delaware Guide-By-Your-Side program supporting families.
Vanessa Stanchina
Guide-By-Your-Side Coordinator
Vanessa is a Chapter Board Member and Parent Guide. She is parent to 3 kids ages 13, 8, and 3. Her top two kiddos have moderate to severe hearing loss with one being diagnosed at birth and the other at 3yrs of age. Vanessa lives in the Newark area with her husband Paul, 3 kids, and 2 dogs. As a fellow parent she understands the start of this new chapter and is happy to provide support and connections with other parent guides to families as they start their own personal journey.
Timika Gourdine
Parent Guide
Timika is a New Jersey native who moved to Delaware in 2015. She works as a Kindergarten Paraeducator in the R.I.S.E. Autism program in the Appoquinimink School District, while also working toward her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Advocacy, and as a parent guide for Delaware Hands & Voices. Timika has been married for 19 years to her wonderful husband Darnell and we has two beautiful children Zarria (age 16) and Jackson (age 9). Zarria was diagnosed at the age of 2 ½ with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss and wears bi-lateral hearing aids. She enjoys music and Disney movies. Jackson is hearing and loves, video games, math, and playing with his friends.
Olga Goncharova-Zapata
Parent Guide
Olga’s late son Victor, who had complex medical needs due to a rare genetic disorder, PNKP gene mutation, had been an inspiration and a driving force behind her pursuits of becoming a Parent Guide.
Olga’s experiences during Victor’s frequent hospitalizations and numerous challenges that come with caring for a medically complex child have made her well informed and recognize the needs of patients and their families.
Olga and her husband, Luis, live in Newark, DE. They’ve been married for 23 years. Their son’s life and legacy lives on through their work in the community, and Victor’s baby sister, Evangeline.
Clare Consavage
Parent Guide
Clare has been a member of Hands & Voices for over 10 years. Clare and her family live in N. Wilmington. She is the mother of 2 sons and stepmom of 5 more bonus kids! Her second son was diagnosed with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss as an infant which progressed to bilateral around the age of 3yrs. The family found an abundance of support and guidance on their own journey and that is what inspired Clare to become a Parent Guide!
Melissa Stone Mengistu
Board Member
Melissa Stone Mengistu, MSEd, CCC-SLP is currently the Outcomes and Outreach Coordinator of the Pediatric Communication Center at Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware. Prior to this appointment she was working as a Lead Speech Pathologist in the Outpatient Therapy Department of Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware since 2010. Her clinical interests focus on hearing loss, auditory processing deficits, literacy, and feeding disorders. Melissa has worked in several different settings, including The Melmark School in Berwyn, PA as a Speech Pathologist. Speaking From the Heart Early Intervention with Chester County, PA as a Speech Pathologist. Theraplay in West Chester, PA as a Speech Pathologist. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communicative Disorders and Sciences and a Master’s of Science and Education degree in Speech Pathology with a Teaching Certification in New York and Pennsylvania. She is actively involved in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and currently sits as a board member for the Delaware Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Advisory Board.
Toni Dickerson
Board Member
Toni is mom to two girls, Parker and Addie, who was diagnosed with unilateral sensorineural loss at 4.5 years old. Both girls are active in Girl Scouts, roller skating, and softball, and keep Toni, and her husband Matt on their toes with endless adventures and traveling. Toni and her family live in Laurel.
Jen Reid
Board Member
Jen is mom to Brooklyn, born hard of hearing due to a genetic condition called Pendred Syndrome. Brooklyn is a spirited girl who loves imaginary play, singing, dancing, and quality time with "her people". Jen and Brooklyn live in Lewes with their dogs, Aspen and Lewes, and cat, Cali.
Board Members
Angie Miller
Arielle Morris
Vanessa Stanchina
Melissa Stone Mengistu
Toni Dickerson
Jen Reid