Arely Hernandez, MHS, a passionate advocate, has dedicated over two decades to the field of Human Services with an unwavering commitment to fostering positive change within communities. Her extensive career is marked by a steadfast dedication to empowering individuals and advocating for equitable access to resources.
Arely's journey in Human Services commenced at the Hispanic Information Center of Passaic, where she began as a calculus tutor. This role ignited her desire to serve vulnerable communities, propelling her to become the Youth Development Program Coordinator. Her experiences there inspired her to pursue higher education at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), where she earned her Master’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Immigration.
At the YMCA of Paterson, Arely’s dedication to youth development shone as she served as both a Youth Program Counselor and Program Director. Her commitment to empowering young individuals was evident through her coordination of services, leadership in group sessions, and meticulous oversight of client progress.
Arely’s passion for education and community engagement led her to teach computer literacy classes for adults at Passaic High School's Quality of Life Program. At the Immigration and American Citizenship Organization (IACO), she served as a Citizenship Teacher and Community Engagement Coordinator, guiding individuals through the citizenship process and advocating for community members to ensure access to essential resources.
Arely previously managed the Governors Hispanic Fellows Program, further demonstrating her leadership and commitment to community development. Currently, she is a Program Development Assistant at the Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development (CHPRD) within the NJ Department of State. In this role, she provides crucial advice on grant application development and manages programs across all divisions of the state department. Arely’s responsibilities include offering program assistance, conducting monitoring and evaluation, and implementing resources to support the Executive Director. She plays a vital role in administering an annual appropriation from the State of New Jersey, focusing on empowering Hispanic community-based organizations through programmatic support and technical assistance. Her efforts ensure that both the executive and legislative branches are well-informed about legislative initiatives impacting the Hispanic community.
Arely is deeply committed to CHPRD’s mission of promoting a new model of community development that delivers tangible impacts on people's lives and helps community-based organizations achieve greater self-sufficiency. Outside of her professional endeavors, she finds joy in spending time with her family, reinforcing her dedication to building strong communities both personally and professionally. Her career is a testament to her steadfast dedication to service, empowerment, and community development.
Gladys Giron-Ricci is a graduate of Queens College – CUNY, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. With nearly a decade of experience at the NJ Department of Environmental Protection in the Office of Communications, Gladys honed her expertise in communications and public engagement. Her role involved speech writing, preparing briefing documents, and leading the social media team, while also collaborating with local governments and federal organizations for public-facing events. Currently, Gladys serves as a program manager at the Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development, where she manages the New Jersey Governor's Hispanic Fellows program and helps advance policy and development for Hispanic communities.
Matthew Gonzales, a recent graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey, works with CHPRD, where he leads student outreach and social media efforts, working to connect more students and young professionals with CHPRD’s programs and opportunities. Before joining CHPRD, Matthew interned with the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism at the New Jersey Department of State, gaining firsthand experience with State government and the role public service plays in strengthening communities. The experience reinforced his commitment to public service and civic engagement and inspired his interest in pursuing opportunities in municipal and county government.
A proud Peruvian American, first-generation college graduate and Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) alumnus, Matthew is passionate about using visual storytelling and communications to make public policy more accessible to all residents, regardless of language or cultural background.
Through the Governor’s Hispanic Fellows program, Matthew gained valuable professional experience that helped shape his own career path. Now, he works to ensure that more students and young professionals are aware of the program and have the opportunity to benefit from the same experiences that helped him. From a small town called Harrison, New Jersey, Matthew remains committed to public service, civic engagement, and developing meaningful change at the community level.
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