Medical Doctor

Dr. John Torontow

Dr. John has been a great asset to our Health Programming. He has led our popular "Ask the Doctor" events where community members joined him to talk about various health topics.

Data Analyst

Natalie Rogers

Natalie Rogers is new to the community and will be working with CHEER to start a participatory asset mapping project to determine where community assets are around the areas of the proposed purple line. She recently graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Comparative Cultures and Politics with a minor in Swahili. Currently, she works as a policy assistant at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Volunteer Coordinator & Social Media Manager

Naidia Douglas-Sogunro

Naidia Douglas Sogunro began volunteering with CHEER in the summer of 2019.  She helped plan CHEER’s participation in the Long Branch Festival in September '19.  Naidia also designs brochures for CHEER staff.  Naidia was a panelist representing CHEER at El Golfo in December '19 when CHEER was spotlighted.  Naidia is from Kingston, Jamaica.  She worked with the National Museum of Jamaica on marketing and events.  This past experience helps with her CHEER volunteer activities.  Naidia came to the area in 2016. She is married and has a toddler.

Volunteer 

Ana Galeano

Ana Silvia Galeano, originally from Bogota, Colombia, began volunteering in June 2019.  Ana helps with events, including events at the New Hampshire Estates Elementary School and with the Maple Tree Group.  As a volunteer she is learning about empowering the community to achieve a better quality of life.  In May 2018, Ana graduated with an associate’s degree in hospitality.  She has volunteered at the DC Jazz Festival, Montgomery County Family Services and Manna events.  She lives with her husband in Rockville, MD.

Volunteer 

Chris Hinton

Chris Hinton is a native of Takoma Park, now living in Silver Spring.  Chris grew up a few blocks from the CHEER offices.  He attended Towson University. Currently, Chris is completing a Masters degree in Public Health, graduating in the summer of 2020.  He is applying his knowledge to help CHEER with the Long Branch Collective Action for Youth.  Chris is helping with stakeholder engagement and conducting research on community needs and indicators.

Volunteer 

Will Tyson

Will Tyson lives in Kensington, MD.  Will worked for over 35 years in the financial services industry with specific focus on multi-family real estate finance, including as a loan officer and vice president in the commercial real estate departments of national banks and Fannie Mae.  Will supports CHEER as a member of the Long Branch Community Development Advisory Team.  Besides volunteering with CHEER, Will also volunteers for L’Arche, a residential program for people with special needs.

Volunteer 

Flor Yanes

Prior to becoming the Fresh Checks Coordinator at Crossroads Farmers Market this year, Flor served as community ambassador conducting outreach for two years. Flor lives within walking distance to the market and first came to Crossroads more than 10 years ago through her participation in Padres Latinos at Rolling Terrace Elementary School.

Blog Author

Taylor Dibbert

Taylor Dibbert is a human rights consultant, writer and journalist. He’s worked for a variety of NGOs and began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala. At CHEER, Taylor focuses on writing, editing and communications.