Lynette Fields comes to PSG with over 30 years of cross-community work experience. She has a B.A. in Pre-theology from the University of Evansville and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. She is excited about being a part of an emerging movement across the country that is shifting the conversation and work from poverty management to poverty reduction.
Addie Hartnett has a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from Florida State University with a focus on Social Policy and Program Administration. Addie has 10 years of experience in human services and development specifically with a focus on homelessness, youth development, family violence, LGBTQ+ inclusion, community development, poverty reduction and social equity and inclusivity.
Catalina Urquiaga is originally from Colombia and Florida has been her home for the last 25 years. She graduated with a Bachelors degree in Computer Science and an Associate in Business Administration. Her passion is teaching which lead her to decide to stay home and homeschool her children while also doing various projects in the community and with her church. Catalina was in the first Cohort for Circles West Orange and is now serving at Poverty Solutions Group through the AmeriCorps VISTA program.
As a wife, mother, and mentor, Britney has dedicated her life to working with children since the age of 12. From volunteering in Sunday school to years of babysitting, she has developed a special connection with kids, earning the title of "baby whisperer." With experience in several nonprofits and mission work, she loves engaging in community efforts to beautify neighborhoods. Today, her focus is on mentoring older children, offering the love and support she wishes she had growing up.
Bonita Thomas is a certified Getting Ahead and Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE) Facilitator whose deep understanding of poverty—shaped by her own lived experience—sets her apart. Advocacy is at the heart of who she is and fuels her commitment to breaking the cycle of generational poverty. Bonita brings not only proven tools and frameworks, but also authentic insight and compassion to her work. She helps individuals recognize their potential, navigate barriers, and build more stable futures. By fostering empathy and driving community-wide conversations, Bonita is a catalyst for equity, justice, and meaningful, lasting change.
"Poverty is a causal issue. So many other community and global concerns are rooted in poverty--homelessness, hunger, disease, etc. If we can reduce poverty, we can impact many other issues."
– Lynette Fields
"Poverty is a vicious cycle that creates many challenges for families and children and can continue to have multi-generational impacts until it is broken. I am energized to be part of a team that is working so diligently to drive solutions that address the systemic challenges of poverty at its core within the Central Florida community."
– Jim Dobson
" Rather than a traditional model of giving that often results in perpetuating poverty, PSG facilitates sustainable change. "
– Kathy Craven
" Having the opportunity to experience the COPE event allowed me to ask about the different ways I can be of service and impact on a program that I wished I had experienced years ago. I believe that PSG is on the right path to assist the community and their needs. "
– Maria Hernandez
" I grew up in poverty. Education was my way out and yet education is not an option for everyone. PSG focuses on reducing poverty in a way that is sustainable while also addressing systemic barriers that promote poverty and enlighten the missing link... Why I was born into poverty. I serve on the PSG Board to enhance our ability as an organization to eradicate the multi-systemic structures that promote poverty in the first place. "
– Joshua A. Torres Hassett
" I want to be a part of solving poverty because my faith teaches me that all people have dignity and are worthy of love and respect, and I want all people to be free from systems, stigmas, and situations that hold them back. "
– Rev. David Killingsworth
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– Jeremy Hugley
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– Chantel L. Aquart
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– Sally Lorenz
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– Rev. Jose Nieves
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– Ann F. Manley
