A former United States Marine Corps, Brian Dennis is the President of Brothers of the Same Mind. As president, Brian helped to enact legislation and policy change that directly impact previously incarcerated people and their families. A former member of the City of Opa-locka Charter board, Brian also helped to create the Civilian Investigative Panel and Miami Dade County’s Workforce Program. Brian serves as Program Specialist. His duties include greeting and assist jobseekers at the front desk, monitor participant intake applications and offer information and guidance, as well as other assigned tasks.

Fun Fact: Brian loves marching bands. A former French Horn player for Miami Northwestern Senior High School’s Marching Band, Dennis is always ready for the half time performance.

Jenifer Acosta is a native of Miami. Jenifer graduated from Miami Senior High school Class of 2008. She then proceeded on to Miami Dade College (MDC) where she earned her Associates in Arts degree and went to study Social Work at Barry University. At Barry University, Jenifer was the Secretary of the Student Social Work Association (SSWA) and a Fellow in the Center for Community Service Initiative. Jenifer started as a volunteer at Transition in 2016 and became a Program Specialist in 2020. She was recently promoted to Placement Specialist. Jenifer has been an active member in the community since she was 15 years old, volunteering in her church, school, Miami Children’s Hospital, feeding the homeless, park beautification projects in Liberty City, Key Biscayne beach clean ups, and going to Tallahassee as an advocate. Jenifer provides inclusive case management services to Transition clients and is responsible for workforce readiness training workshops, employment assessments, job referrals, job training, and job placement. In addition, she is responsible for tracking participants with 30, 60, 90 Follow-Up phone calls and appointments. Furthermore, she is responsible tracking participants and providing wrap-around services.

Fun Fact: Jenifer was born on Thanksgiving Day and she is thankful for her many blessings.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin ultricies ipsum massa, id porta odio mattis laoreet. Suspendisse enim dolor, finibus varius pellentesque blandit, ultrices sit amet ipsum. Nulla ut eros justo. Vivamus congue metus enim, tempor laoreet massa laoreet et. Donec ac sem et eros dictum tempus at at massa. Nulla est nulla, tempus vitae finibus viverra, egestas quis urna. Sed vitae gravida diam, sed blandit lacus. Donec vitae ex ex. Etiam commodo placerat tristique.

 
Cheryl Smith is an advocate and a public servant at heart. Cheryl has been advocating for the HIV/AIDS community since 2012. She was an HIV/AIDS Case Manager for eight years where she would make sure her clients had medical care, medications, counseling, and supportive services. Cheryl is also a mom of four and grandma of 10! She loves her grandkids very much and loves each of them the same. Her family is her “everything”. She is also an advocate against gun violence and crimes. Cheryl lost her son in 2013 due to gun violence and that’s why she’s so passionate in helping our participants here at Transition. Cheryl believes in “second chance opportunities”. She shares her story and memory of her son, in hopes that it will impact the population she serves. Cheryl’s lived experience and background truly make her a special and valuable member of our staff.

Fun fact: Cheryl’s favorite color is red and everything in her kitchen is red including the pots, stove, toaster, and kitchen towels!

 
Kierra Range-Meza was born in Miami and raised in Broward. She attended Florida International University to complete her studies in sociology and psychology before attending Grand Canyon University to earn a master’s degree in psychology. She has experience in serving diverse populations in the tri-county area, even though her specialization has been helping those with both mental health and substance use illnesses. Following in the footsteps of her late great-grandmother, M. Athalie Range, Kierra has returned to serve the Miami community. Kierra is committed to providing guidance and support through a compassionate approach. Here at Transition, she aims to have a positive impact through applying her skills and understanding.

Fun Fact – Kierra love baking, but she doesn’t eat sweets!

 
Ruth Frederick is our Peer Support Specialist at Transition. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, most of her family are from Haiti. She is fluent in English and Creole. The mother of three adult children and grandmother to an active five-year old granddaughter, Ruth’s interests include working out, reading (non-fiction, mystery, and romance), traveling, and hanging out with family and friends. Ruth is passionate about her role as the Peer Support Specialist – identifying the needs of participants and discovering opportunities to support them as they return to the workplace.

Fun Fact – Ruth is the first American in her family – my parents and siblings are either Bahamian or Haitian.

 
Shozanio Fleneury, originally from Augusta, GA, but raised in Atlanta, GA, has triumphed over a life marked by abuse, adversity, and addiction. Despite enduring physical, emotional, and mental hardships from a young age, Shozanio emerged as a resilient caregiver for others. A justice-involved person, Shozanio has battled mental health issues, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, however, she has persevered through education. At 26, she faced addiction head-on, embarking on a path to recovery.

As a Placement Specialist at Transition, Shozanio works with participants between the ages of 14 – 24 in the Miami-Dade County Boot Camp Reentry Program. She assists the young men and women with educational opportunities, job training, referrals, and placements.

Fun Fact – Shozanio is founder and Executive Director of Shozanio’s Place. A non-profit organization dedicated to assisting women in the reentry community. She envisions a reentry home for women leaving prison, where she can share her experiences and inspire change.

 
Sonise Carri, born in Freeport, Bahamas to Haitian parents. At the age of 5 the family migrated to Miami, FL. She completed her high school from Miami Edison Senior and later attended Miami Dade College with an associate degree in Elementary Education and bachelor degree of Science in Applied Management at Grand Canyon University. In addition to her degree Sonise is also a Certified Life Coach and Mentor receiving her certification from Light University. Sonise has volunteered with Lotus House, Miami Rescue Mission, Sunrise Mission Center, Feeding South Florida, and One Child, providing social skills development for families and individuals, speaking engagements, feeding the homeless and providing donations and additional resources. In addition, she has 24 years of servicing the Overtown, Liberty City, and the North Miami community with wrap around service through work and volunteerism.

Services extend from substitute teaching, Sunday School teacher, youth coordinator, ministering the gospel, mentoring, motivational speaking, providing case management, leading summer camp and afterschool initiatives but most importantly providing youth and young adults with necessary tools to promote self-love and continual growth that will lead to emotional and professional success. Her current position held by Transition Inc is case management. This role she completes in-take assessment with clients to identify and address any barriers that may hinder successful job placement.

Fun Fact: Sonise authored a workable journal entitled, “Write it Down” that you can purchase on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.