Our Founders
Alicia Simmons
Founder
Alicia’s journey in public service began in high school when she passionately engaged with Future Business Leaders of America. Her commitment continued post-graduation with the American Society of Public Administration, where she solidified the foundation for a meaningful career in public service in New York City.
With her social services background, Alicia cultivated a deep curiosity about public policy and innovative management. Fueled by this passion, she pursued a master's degree in Public Administration and Public Affairs from Metropolitan College of New York. For the past two decades, she has dedicated her life to leading in the human services field, tackling critical issues such as preventive services, substance abuse, mental health, HIV housing, and shelter programs.
Alicia's commitment extends beyond her own work. She has empowered other public servants by creating transformative training programs and developing impactful policies that enhance organizational performance.
With over 20 years of experience in the public sector and nonprofit sector, Alicia has profoundly influenced the lives of homeless individuals, helping them find housing, secure jobs, and reclaim their independence.
Her influence reaches even further as she serves on the Peekskill Housing Authority board and actively participates in organizations like the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce, Zeta Phi Beta Inc., and the Rotary Club. Through her work with the New York City Continuum of Care, where she is involved in committees for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Policies and Procedures. She is committed to creating a better community for everyone.
David Simmons
Co-Founder
David Simmons has faced housing insecurity both in his childhood and adulthood, experiences that shaped his understanding of the challenges faced by many. As a child, he lived in a building that had been abandoned by its owner, and later, as an adult, he found himself residing in a vacant apartment while navigating the complexities of the criminal justice system.
These formative experiences ignited a passion in David to create positive change for those in similar circumstances. He pursued careers that focus on uplifting individuals with limited resources, especially those grappling with homelessness and the intricacies of the criminal justice system. As a public advocate, David has played a pivotal role in residential reentry programs for individuals battling substance addiction and reentering society after incarceration.
David’s wealth of practical experience is complemented by a consistent demonstration of compassion and positivity in his interactions with residents and colleagues alike. His approachable personality enables him to forge strong relationships within the community and with partner organizations. When confronted with challenges, David adopts a solution-oriented approach that fosters collaboration and innovation. In addition to his advocacy work, David is an accomplished writer with a series of patented poems recognized by the Library of Congress. Driven by a profound love for humanity, his ultimate dream is to eradicate homelessness. He is also a proud member of the NAACP, committed to social justice and community empowerment.
Our Board Members
Caroline Kramer
Caroline Kramer is a seasoned grant writer committed to advancing the mission of Homeless Remedies Inc. In her role, she leverages her expertise to secure vital funding, ensuring the organization can continue its impactful work.
Beyond her contributions to Homeless Remedies, Caroline is a Senior Associate at McChrystal Group, a prominent management and strategy consultancy based in Alexandria, VA. In her role, she specializes in strategic planning and executive team development across diverse industries.
Previously, Caroline worked as a Research Assistant for the Associate Dean of Research at Wake Forest University School of Law and interned at a Connecticut Criminal Defense firm. Caroline earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Affairs with minors in History and Global Trade & Commerce Studies from Wake Forest.
Carrie Iseghohi
Carrie Iseghohi started her career in the early 1980s working with the mentally challenged population at the state level. After she completed her undergraduate studies, she pursued a career working with drug-addicted families in a residential substance abuse program. She eventually moved forward to work in New York City foster care division where she licensed homes to create a safe and healthy environment for foster care children.
While working in the foster care system, she attended graduate school at Adelphi University. She obtained a master’s degree in social work, which led her to this field as a supervisor. She supervised staff and ensured the program complied with contractual requirements with the Administration of Children Services (ACS). She presented cases in the New York City Family Court and collaborated with court officials/ACS staff to ensure the safety of the children in care. She also participated in family team conferences and managerial meetings to create policies and procedures that would best serve the families. After fifteen years in the Social Service field, a decade working with Mental Challenge populations, and several years working with substance abuse families, she felt that it was time to retire. Although she has retired, she continues to serve the public by advocating for the elderly to gain access to their Medicare benefits.
Mattie Volger
Mattie Vogler grew up in California and graduated from California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo
in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management and Protection with a minor
in Global Politics.
While studying at Cal Poly SLO, Mattie received a hands-on education in natural resource
management and has a strong background in research and policy analysis. Mattie was involved
in grassroots organizations such as Sunrise San Luis Obispo, an organization focused on
developing environmental policy on a local and national level. Additionally, Mattie worked as
an environmental education assistant with Sprout Up San Luis Obispo, teaching young students
in the community about sustainability and environmental preservation.
Karen Whyte
Karen Whyte is a recent retiree of the New York City Department of Education. Her career with the Department spanned three decades. While Karen began her tenure as a substitute teacher, she retired as the Dean of Students. Karen also held positions as a Mathematics Teacher, a Mathematics Coach of teachers, the Chair of the Mathematics Department, a Mentor for new teachers, and a Supervisor of grade-level teachers.
Karen graduated magna cum laude from Lehman College, earning a bachelor's degree with a concentration in Psychology. At Lehman College, Karen was employed by the college as a peer tutor for English and Sociology. She was on the Dean's List and held the position of President of the Lehman College Chapter Honor Society in Psychology, PSI CHI. She also has a Math Education certificate from Lehman College, a master's degree in Special Education from Manhattan College and a master's degree in School Building Leadership from Mercy College where Karen graduated with distinction.
Despite her retirement, Karen continues to dedicate herself to education through travel, reading, and exploring new places.
Richard Fonyi
Richard Fonyi is a retired US Army Field Artillery officer, serving on Active Duty for 30 years and retiring with the rank of Colonel. He began his military career as an enlisted Soldier in 1988 and served through Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm before entering the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. Richard graduated from West Point in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He led Soldiers and commanded multiple combat units in peace and in war, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He has served globally as a staff officer, operational planner, and strategist on various joint and multinational staffs and is the recipient of two Bronze Star medals, one with a valor distinction. While on active duty, Richard earned a Master of Science degree in Operations and Strategic Leadership. Following retirement in 2018, he went on to serve as a military consultant and project manager for the United States Army Cyber Center of Excellence and then transitioned to Amazon as an operations leader for two years to gain industry experience. He currently works overseas as a Senior Military Advisor for the Department of State, overseeing a large-scale IT project for a partner nation and ally to the United States. His passion is to serve others and to solve challenging problems.