Staff

Karen Clark, Chief Operating Officer

Karen Clark is originally from Pleasantville, New York. She attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta, where she met her husband Ken. She graduated with an electrical engineering degree and moved to Washington DC where she worked for the NASA Communications Division at Goddard Space Flight Center. For the next seven years, Karen worked in data networking equipment and network communications.

The Clarks have two daughters and moved to Jupiter in 1997. Karen started off as an El Sol volunteer at the Employer Desk and the Kitchen in 2008. Karen is responsible for bookkeeping, payroll, budget management, facilities management, and any new projects that need assistance. “Every day is different. You can never predict what is coming next, and you are always surprised. That is what I love about my job,” said Karen.

(561) 745-9860 ext. 4201

karen@friendsofelsol.org

Georgia Anderson, Chief Development and Communications Officer

Born in Jamaica and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Georgia moved to South Florida in 2003. Georgia’s first job was Development Manager at Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, before beginning what would be a 15-year long career with local non-profit organizations. Since leaving Adopt-A-Family in 2009, Georgia has held development leadership roles with YMCA of South Palm Beach County and Urban Youth Impact.

Georgia has been involved in the community through her membership with the Association of Fundraising Professionals and she currently serves on Healthier Jupiter Marketing Committee.
As our CDCO, Georgia is responsible for grant writing, fundraising and communications efforts at El Sol. Georgia in her spare time enjoys traveling.

(561) 745-9860 ext. 4212

georgia@friendsofelsol.org

Barbara Beaubien, ESL Instructor

Barbara Beaubien is an intermediate teacher at El Sol. Barbara relocated from Ocean City, MD to Florida four years ago. She was an ESL teacher and an ESL specialist for Worcester County, MD. Barbara co-created a comprehensive teaching manual with ESL plans for teachers and established a Commission for Women in Worcester County plus held a position on the Advisory Council for the Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, MD. She earned her BS degree from the University of Tampa, Fl. and graduate studies at Hood College in Frederick, MD. Barbara also completed a variety of specialty courses specific to ESL teaching and is currently taking continuing education courses at FAU. She is passionate about educating people with a desire to learn and fostering a sense of community embracing the multicultural learning through teaching at El Sol. Her other hobbies include going to the beach, cycle classes, participating in a book club and pickleball. She finds El Sol an amazing workplace that encourages all students to work to their potential.

(561) 745-9860 ext. 4101

barbara@friendsofelsol.org

Tim Bowman, Volunteer Coordinator

Tim Bowman is originally from Gouverneur, New York. He attended SUNY Oswego, where he received his BA in Spanish and Theatre (Acting/Directing). After graduating in 2015, he moved to West Palm Beach, where he served for two years with Literacy AmeriCorps, teaching English as a Second Language in various Palm Beach County Libraries. He worked at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre for four years- the first two working backstage and helping to make costumes, and the last two managing the production of the costumes. Tim started at El sol in the fall of 2019, volunteering in the Nighttime Adult ESL classes to satisfy his practicum requirements for an MA in TESOL, which he received in spring of 2020. Along with being the Volunteer Coordinator, he also teaches one of the Nighttime Adult ESL classes.

(561) 745-9860

tim@friendsofelsol.org

Surynai Janowicz, Legal Coordinator

Surynai Janowicz, better known as Suri, is El Sol’s newest Legal Coordinator. Suri graduated with honors from Indian River State College with a degree in Organizational Management. Meanwhile, Suri has over 8 years of experience in the legal field. Suri is a Florida Registered Paralegal and has assisted lawyers in personal injury cases. Suri’s passion is in the area of immigration law. Suri is a big supporter of small businesses since her parents were small business owners in Venezuela and in the United States.

(561) 745-9860 ext. 4202

betzy@friendsofelsol.org

Lynda M. McReynolds, Adult Literacy Coordinator

Lynda M. McReynolds holds a bachelor of Arts degree in Social Communication and Journalism from La Sabana University in Colombia.

Her involvement with El Sol began in June 2016 as a Volunteer.  In September of 2017 she joined the teacher’s team in Plazas Comunitarias and in June 2019 became the Adult Education Literacy Program Coordinator.Lynda believes education begins with leadership and is passionate about learning. Lynda stated; “I care where my students want to go and I will help them get there.”

Lynda enjoys painting, reading, cooking…everything that connects her with life.

(561) 745-9860

lynda@friendsofelsol.org

Kate Layton, Worker Development Coordinator

Kate Layton is a Jupiter High School alumnus who graduated with a Masters in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She speaks five languages and has extensive experience working and traveling in Latin America. Her master’s thesis was developed during her time living in Brazil and was titled “Ride to Live, Live to Ride: Motorcycle Dispatches from Maceió”.

Kate is responsible for implementing El Sol’s Strategic Plan for expanding the curriculum for the Worker Development Program. Her experience as a researcher, teacher, and writer complements El Sol team as we continue collectively to offer stimulating, diverse training opportunities for our workers.

(561) 745-9860 ext. 4501

kate.layton@friendsofelsol.org

Wilberto Luna, Labor Coordinator

Originally from Boston, Wilberto Luna moved to El Salvador when he was 7-years-old. At 12, he moved to Georgia, where he grew up. Wilberto went to Kennesaw State University in Georgia and later transferred to Florida Atlantic University, where he graduated in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Wilberto worked for Soriano Professional Services in Boston where he helped the Hispanic community in Chelsea, Mass., with income taxes and immigration papers. Wilberto started working in June 2007 for Catholic Charities at El Sol. In January 2008 Wilberto stayed on to work with El Sol as labor coordinator assistant.

Now El Sol’s labor coordinator, Wilberto is responsible for the operation of El Sol’s day-labor center. He oversees the fair and proper placement of workers with employers.

(561) 745-9860 ext. 4100

wilberto@friendsofelsol.org

Silvia Pedraza, Sewing Coordinator

Silvia Pedraza leads El Sol’s Cosiendo por un sueño (Sewing for a Dream) Vocational Training Program. Silvia has a lengthy background in the industry from working on 5th Avenue in New York to Worth Avenue in Palm Beach.

(561) 745-9860 ext. 4101

silvia@friendsofelsol.org

Betzy Rega, Health Coordinator

Betzy was hired as a full-time Health Coordinator through a recent grant award from Allegany Franciscan Ministries.

The health program’s objective is to guide individuals to the right medical resources and to provide prevention and healthy lifestyles education. Betzy was the ideal candidate for this position. She has been volunteering for 13 years within the Jupiter Community and for four years with our programs at El Sol.

Betzy was born in Guatemala, raised in New York and has been in Jupiter since 1993. Betzy is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Skin Care Specialist in the State of Florida since 2003. Betzy is a certified medical interpreter in Spanish/English and has received a certification from the Florida Department of Health for the Volunteer Healthcare Provider program

Her familiarity with the needs and resources within the Jupiter community and her passion for helping those in need are great assets for our organization.

(561) 745-9860 ext. 4202

betzy@friendsofelsol.org

Cliff Ross, Garden Coordinator

Cliff Ross was born and raised in Sterling Heights, Michigan where he spent most of his summers on his grandparent’s farm. Cliff moved to Florida to become an Environmental Chemist, testing water and soil samples. After a few years in the laboratory, Cliff decided to pursue a teaching career at Martin County High School in Stuart, Florida, where he taught science for thirteen years. In the last year, Cliff decided to follow his dreams of starting a landscaping business called Absolutely Growing. Cliff is excited to join the El Sol team as the Part-Time Garden Coordinator. As the Garden Coordinator, he will be in charge of managing the Sunshine Organic Community Garden.

(561) 745-9860 ext. 4300

cliff@friendsofelsol.org

Diana Ruiz, Community Support Case Manager

Diana Ruiz was born and raised in Colombia, she moved to the United States in 2015, and has been living in Jupiter since then. Diana has a bachelor’s degree in statistics from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and experience working with diverse populations.

When she arrived in the States, she started taking English conversational classes at El Sol, and immediately fell in love with the center’s mission. In January 2019, Diana joined El Sol’s staff as our Computer Class Coordinator. Currently, as our Community Support Case Manager, Diana offers services to those who are seeking support, intensive case management to those in need, and evaluates workers’ status by collecting data, analyzing results, identifying trends, and determining areas of improvement.

(561) 745-9860 ext. 4300

diana.ruiz@friendsofelsol.org

Sergio Vargas, Youth Development Coordinator

Sergio Vargas graduated from North Central College in 2014. He then taught English to Japanese Elementary, Middle, and High Schools students through the Japan Exchange & Teaching Program. From there, he went on to served as El Sol Resource Developer through the AmeriCorps VISTA  program. Continuing the trend of working to provide services to families, he returned to his hometown of Chicago to work at Heartland Refugee and Immigrant Community Services. There Sergio helped newly arriving families acquire living accommodations and getting settled in Chicago. Sergio is excited to be back working with children and families in Jupiter by facilitating enrichment opportunities and connecting them to valuable resources.

(561) 745-9860

sergio@friendsofelsol.org

Camille West, Food and Nutrition Coordinator

El Sol’s Food and Nutrition Coordinator Camille West has a lengthy background in the food industry from owning her own Italian Restaurant to specialized concierge services. She is also an experienced volunteer having volunteered as an ESL teacher for many years. Camille also volunteers with Meals on Wheels and with Everglades Angles Dog Rescue. Camille relocated from New Jersey with her husband and son.

(561) 745-9860 ext. 4502

camille@friendsofelsol.org