WELCOME TO OHIOKAN
Region 3
Please learn about our region, our partners and services, and all of the resources we have available for you.
REGION 3 STAFF
Kamilah Cunningham
DIRECTOR
Kamilah Cunningham
Director, Region 3
Kamilah Cunningham is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University’s Masters of Social Administration program (MSASS), with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminology from Cleveland State University. Kamilah has over 14 years of experience in social work and social services working with community partners in the Greater Cleveland area with children and families, neighborhood collaboratives, mental health agencies, and the Cuyahoga Department of Children and Family Services. Kamilah is the Convening Chair for the National Family Support Network , which works with family resource centers across the country to develop strategies and implement a framework for standards of quality. Kamilah is also a certified Master Reiki Practitioner and former college and high school women's basketball coach.
Alyssa Underwood
COORDINATOR
Alyssa Underwood
Coordinator, Region 3
Alyssa is a recent graduate of Cleveland State University. There, she obtained her master’s and bachelor’s degree in social work. Alyssa has a background in community counseling as a behavioral health specialist, working first hand with children and adolescents to overcome and manage their mental health needs. She has coordinated services, managed data, and offered collaborative opportunities for the clients she has served. Alyssa is very passionate and empathic about serving others. She has made it her life’s mission to advocate for children and their families as well as empower and influence others to do the same. She’s excited to continue her mission at OhioKAN!
Isis Harbour
COACH
Isis Harbour
Coach, Region 3
Isis attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Economics. While in New York, Isis volunteered to assist students with disabilities with tutoring and note-taking, as well as mentoring adult learners from the community. She returned to Cleveland and began work as a Job Coach and then as an Employment Specialist for Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP). Her role was to identify and build on skills in youth and adults with disabilities to get them ready for the workplace, while assessing needs and addressing barriers to success. She also developed and maintained relationships with community businesses to build a network for our individuals in an effort to reduce structural barriers to employment and find hidden opportunities. Currently, Isis spends time volunteering as a member of the Emerging Leaders Association with College Now of Greater Cleveland, an organization working to increase access to post-secondary education for low-income and first generation students. She also volunteers during tax season with the Cuyahoga EITC Coalition, an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that offers free tax preparation services to moderate and low-income individuals and families in the greater Cleveland area.
Jewel Condon
COACH
Jewel Condon
Coach, Region 3
Jewel Condon joined Kinnect with leadership experience that has allowed her the skills to coach others in a strength-based manner. Jewel is trained as a facilitator training, which has helped her develop de-escalation and problem-solving skills. She recently completed Think, Relate, Coach, further enhancing her skills. Jewel has served in a variety of case management and supervisory roles throughout her child welfare career, and most recently supervised child welfare workers at a local agency. She holds a degree in Family Services from the University of Northern Iowa. She lives with her husband and child, and they enjoy going on walks and spending time with family who are throughout the Midwest and east coast.
Grace Boswell
NAVIGATOR
Early Childhood Resource Center
Grace Boswell
Navigator, Early Childhood Resource Center (Region 3)
Grace is a Navigator for the Early Childhood Resource Center in Akron, OH. Previously, she was a volunteer for the Center and before that she worked at Pathway Caring for Children as a mentor. She has also volunteered at a soup kitchen and the Domestic Violence Center in downtown Canton. She has a Bachelor’s from Kent State University in Human Development and Family Studies.
Alyssa Lombardo
NAVIGATOR
Adoption Network Cleveland
Alyssa Lombardo
Navigator, Adoption Network Cleveland (Region 3)
Alyssa Lombardo is proud to be an Adoption Navigator for OhioKAN. She moved to Ohio in 2018 to raise her twins and prior to that was working with families in NYC through music, writing, play making and mentoring. She earned her BA in Theatre Arts at Elon University and has been acting and working as an advocate for families and young people since then. She believes in each family's journey, individual bravery plus hope and possibility. Alyssa is excited to become a part of this caring family and will do all she can to support each family along the way.
Sharon Messam
NAVIGATOR
University Settlement
Sharon Messam
Navigator, University Settlement (Region 3)
Sharon comes to OhioKAN from the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities as a Community Integration & Employment Specialist. There, she supervised and trained adults with developmental disabilities in job and daily life skills. Previously, she worked with students on the autism spectrum as a Support Teacher at Re-Education Services. Sharon has an associate’s degree in Community Mental Health/Habilitation Technology from Cuyahoga Community College, a certification in Home Health Care from the Central School of Practical Nursing, and a diploma in Secondary Education (English) from Shortwood Teachers’ College. Sharon has lived experience as a foster parent for 20 years and is excited to help families as a University Settlement Navigator in Region 3 obtain critical support services!
Darby Barnovsky
NAVIGATOR
Early Childhood Resource Center
Darby Barnovsky
Navigator, Early Childhood Resource Center (Region 3)
Darby graduated from Cleveland State University with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Social Work, as well as a minor in Psychology. Darby is a Licensed Social Worker with experience in various roles within community mental health. She has worked as a Case Manager, School-Based Therapist, and Diagnostic Assessor at OhioGuidestone. She also assisted kinship and foster families through case management and therapy services as a Case Coordinator at Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth. Darby is very excited to continue working with families as a Navigator with OhioKAN!
Chandra Peoples
NAVIGATOR
Adoption Network Cleveland
Chandra Peoples
Navigator, Adoption Network Cleveland (Region 3)
Chandra previously worked as a Crisis Intervention Specialist at Hope & Healing Resource Center in Akron, OH. There, she assisted survivors to meet their immediate needs while utilizing the trauma-informed care model. Outside of work, Chandra volunteers as the Vacation Bible School Coordinator for St. John AME Church. She has an Associate’s degree from Cuyahoga Community College, and is currently a student at Youngstown State University with an expected graduation in May 2024. Chandra’s mother is an adoptee who managed to find her birth mother in 2007. Since then, they have been able to reconnect with other family members and even attend family reunions. Chandra is honored to be able to strengthen families and help them achieve their goals!
REGIONAL SITE PARTNERS
