Co-Founder
Deqa Dhalac, MSW, MDP (she/her)
Originally from Somalia, Ms. Dhalac migrated to the US in 1992, settling in Maine in 2005. With dual Master’s degrees, she has held roles in various organizations, advocating for social and racial justice. She's also a certified language tester, mediator, and treasurer for the Somali Community Center of Maine. Ms. Dhalac has been involved Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition, I am Your Neighbor Books and Northern Light Mercy Hospital. Ms Dhalac made history as the first Somali-American Mayor in the United States and is currently serving as Maine House of Representatives representing South Portland District 120.
Co-Founder
Dr. Regina Phillps, DSW (she/her)
Regina Phillips has a rich history of service, having worked in various roles, including at the Westbrook School Department and as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern Maine and the University of New England's School of Social Work. Previously, she spent 12 years as the Refugee Services Program Manager for the City of Portland Social Services Division and seven years at a homeless family shelter. Active in community leadership, she's been involved with organizations like the United Way of Greater Portland and Coastal Enterprises Inc. She's also been a member of the Greater Portland NAACP branch for over a decade. Ms. Phillips, a Maine native, holds degrees from Curry College, UNE, and Tulane University.
Co-Founder & CFO
Abeir Ibrahim (she/her)
Abeir Ibrahim has a robust background in social services. At the City of Portland, she supervised the HIRE Program, aiding General Assistance clients in securing stable employment. Previously, she oversaw the Survivors of Torture program at the Refugee Services program, providing vital services to asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants. With over 20 years in the US and since 2004 in Maine, Ibrahim serves on the Department of Corrections Juvenile Justice Advisory Group and Disproportionate Minority Contact committee. She's also a certified mediator.
Health Equity Program Coordinator
Liz Kovarsky, LCSW (she/her)
Liz is an abolitionist social worker, working to create systemic change with and for individuals, families, and communities that are historically marginalized. Liz has worked supporting adults and teens in recovery and active drug use in a variety of community-based settings, with families and children in transitional housing, in public health prevention, as a community organizer around youth mental health, and in another life, as a children’s art teacher. Liz is also an artist and loves dancing, reading, dogs, traveling, and being in nature.
CLNA Project Manager
Toni Goncalves (she/her)
Toni Goncalves has extensive work experience with young people and families from various backgrounds, including the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants and refugees. In her previous roles, she aimed to reunite families struggling with poverty and addiction and help them access the services they needed. As a social worker, she has been providing uninterrupted service since she started working in this field. She is a graduate of Providence College and is a licensed social worker in the state of Maine. She is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI/EDI) and is also a member of the Narragansett Tribe. In her free time, she enjoys beading, cooking, and kayaking.
Office Manager
Elizabeth Glover (she/her)
Elizabeth Glover recently graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a dual degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and Women & Gender Studies. Gaining firsthand experience in community organizing, she interned at Gateway Community Services, where she took part in event coordination and project management. Driven to create positive change, Elizabeth is passionate about addressing local and systemic issues, immigrant rights, and equitable access to resources.
Marketing, Communications Director
Warren Edgar (He/Him)
Before joining CCCS, Warren spent six years in public television as a producer and director, eventually leading the network's social and new media development efforts. He would later take over as Head of Marketing, concentrating on streamable content and overseeing the launch of the network’s first streaming service. Warren also specializes in non-English-speaking media, contributing to the creation of Connection TV, an independent African news and media network that highlights the stories of Rwandan and Burundian immigrant communities in Maine. In his free time, Warren freelances as a director and producer, working on advertisements, TV shows, web series, and the occasional movie.