Alissa Silverman, Executive Director: Alissa has been involved with Create Your Dreams since 1995. Alissa volunteered at CYD as a high school student at the Paideia School. She remained involved with the organization while attending Brown University in Rhode Island, running the summer camp program. She also managed the Federal Enterprise Community program in Providence for The Providence Plan, worked in a special education program at GoodWill Industries and a community center run by the Providence Housing Authority as a student at Brown. In July 2001, she returned to serve as our Executive Director. She is currently pursuing an MBA from the Goizueta Business School, Emory University and is involved with Leadership Atlanta’s L.E.A.D program as an alum and volunteer.

Kim Dennis, Associate Director: Kim has been a part of Create Your Dreams since 1994 in many roles. She first came to CYD as a volunteer and was hired immediately to help develop and shape the program. Kim was the Executive Director of CYD from 1996 to 1999. After leaving this position, she joined the CYD board. Next year, she will have served ten years on the CYD Board and chaired 6 major fundraisers for CYD. In August 2008, she re-joined the staff as Associate Director. Prior to working with Create Your Dreams, Kim taught creative writing and developed a cultural arts program for The Bridge - a residential treatment center for abused teens.

Mahasin Abuwi Aleem, Assistant Program Director: Mahasin joined the Create Your Dreams staff in 2008. A graduate of Brown University, Mahasin spent her college summers working in DC, which included a research fellowship at Howard University and internships at the White House and US Justice Department. In 2008, Mahasin completed the Klingenstein Summer Institute for Early Career Teachers sponsored by Teacher's College at Columbia University. Originally from Savannah, GA, Mahasin has lived in four states, the District of Columbia, and in one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Her role at CYD includes working with the high school students in our AfterSchool and College Dreamers programs.

Star Lowe, Assistant Program Director: Star is a native of Atlanta, GA , proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University, B.A, English, and an alum of Create Your Dreams. Star joined CYD as a 5th grade student at Boyd Elementary School, remained in the program until she graduated from Harper-Archer High School, and returned to CYD as Program Specialist in 2002. Star is active in the community, serving as a volunteer at Lindley 6th Grade Academy in Cobb County, a member of the PAATH I Wholistic Stress Control Institute Sub-Committee and a volunteer for 100 Black Men of Atlanta. Her role at CYD includes working with the elementary school students, monitoring student performance at school, managing enrollment and organizing book clubs and student events.

Neftali Morales, Assistant Program Director: Neftali has been a loyal staff member at Create Your Dreams for five years and counting. He started as a volunteer, was hired as Program Assistant a few months later and now has a full-time position. Neftali started his post-secondary education in 1996 in his native home at the University of the Virgin Islands and later earned an AS in engineering from Georgia Perimeter College. He also earned a diploma in completion of the Auto-Body Technician program at Atlanta Technical College. His education and technical skills has helped to enhance his inventive mind and his passion for creating art. Over the past decade while living in Atlanta, Neftali has given his time to volunteer at community soup kitchens and local breast cancer run/walks. Neftali’s role is to manage the tutoring program and student clubs, organize community service opportunities, lead the student council and manage transportation.

Daphne Banks, Program Assistant: Daphne joined CYD as a high school student and has been a loyal alum ever since. In 2007, she joined the CYD staff as Program Assistant while attending Georgia Perimeter College where she is working on a degree in Nursing.

Marcus Jones and Patrice Moore, Bus Drivers