M E E T  O U R   T E A M

Our Team

Merritt Groeschel
​President & Founder

Merritt founded SHC to extend services that empower refugee families in Maryland and the metro DC area.  She began as the leader of her church’s effort to resettle a refugee family from Syria, and through that experience was inspired to initiate a one on one tutoring program to other local English learners.  She is passionate about working with new members of the community, sharing local knowledge and a love of metro DC. Merritt volunteered as tutor, mentor and employment coach, personally touching over 40 families; while also mentoring volunteers, groups and diverse faith communities working with refugee families.  Merritt is President of SHC working to shape SHC programs, goals and vision for the future, building thriving futures and giving families tools to succeed in their communities.

Kate Talbot
​VP Operations & Finance, Founding Director

Kate’s 12 years of experience in the non-profit field include work for a foundation that encouraged civic engagement through social media and for an education fund supporting students at inner-city Catholic schools. It wasn’t until a friend invited Kate to help tutor English to resettled refugees, that she saw first-hand the challenges newcomers face extending well beyond language barriers. Every day Kate is inspired by the kindness, generosity and warmth of the people and families she assists.

Yasmina Mudarres
​​VP Programs & Outreach, Founding Director

Welcoming refugees to our community and helping families thrive in the U.S. is an immensely personal mission to Yasmina, whose father’s family comes from Syria. A two time immigrant with a background in advancing advocacy, policy and service delivery programs, she understands that navigating U.S. social programs is challenging for specialists, let alone for newcomers. Yasmina began volunteering as a tutor and mentor for refugee families in 2016, helping families learn how to access resources in their community, and leading her to become a founding director of Solutions in Hometown Connections in 2017. 

Sarah Simmons
​Director of Education

Sarah joined SHC because she loves seeing newcomers discover all the possibilities that may not have been available to them before.  As a teacher, Sarah believes that education empowers families and individuals to develop communication skills and gain a deeper understanding of American values and culture.  For over 20 years, she has taught English, history, government, and art to teens and adults. Sarah hold two masters degrees in education and history as well as a certificate to teach TESOL/TFEOL/ ESOL. She enjoys creating classes that are fun and challenge students to think deeply and ask questions that cause ripples.

Loan Nguyen
​Founding Director

As a refugee whose family fled post-war Vietnam in 1979, Loan cares deeply, and continuously advocates, for refugees and immigrants from all walks of life. Loan wants to ensure for all refugees, a transition and path forward in America that is supported by friends and community. Loan practices environmental law and regulation with the federal government, and volunteers for a variety of civic and pro bono organizations outside of her professional practice of law.

Kate Carpenter
Secretary & Founding Director

Kate Carpenter has volunteered to assist refugee families since 2016. She helps identify opportunities within the community to assist families with their needs. These may range from summer camp scholarships for newly arrived children, to medical professionals willing to donate their services for critical procedures not covered under Medicaid.

Our Partners

SH Connections works with a broad range of community partners to meet family and individual needs as well as to identify opportunities that would not otherwise be easily available to newcomers. These include government agencies, nonprofits and local businesses and services such as those featured below.

Partner Spotlight

Prince George's County Memorial Library System 

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SHConnections and Prince George's County Memorial Library System have developed a new partnership to provide educational activities to English Language learners and their children. Contact info@shconnections.org for weekly event information.