The Meriden Children First (MCF) makes great strides in
creating positive educational, social and health outcomes for all children in
greater Meriden with the assistance of the following dedicated members of its
board of directors.
Darius Riddle President
Darius is a lifelong Meriden
resident, a Platt High School graduate, and alumni of Eastern Connecticut State
University. He is the father of Jackie and Jabari. Darius is a Senior Engineer
at QuEST Global where he has spent the last 6 years. Darius has spent over 14
years coaching and mentoring Meriden's youth with organizations such as the
Meriden Summer League, Meriden YMCA, and Meriden Soccer league.
Sheri Amechi Vice
President
Sheri Amechi has resided in
Meriden since 2003 with her husband Chukwuma and two sons, Sedrick and Justice.
She has always believed the following words of Nelson Mandela regarding
education: “ Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change
the world” and “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul
than a way in which it treats its children”. These words have always led
her in the direction of being an engaged parent in her children's education.
Sheri
is involved in the Meriden community as the current vice president of
Meriden Children First and immediate past president of the organization. She
was the chairperson for the Parent Support Group of the From Boys to Men
Enrichment Program and remains on the Board of Directors as the educational
chairperson. She has completed a host of Parent Leadership Programs that
have been offered in the Meriden Community. She was also a member of the
Lincoln Middle School’s School Governance Committee, when her son attended
school there.
Lea Crown
Lea Crown became a board
member of Meriden Children First in May 2015. She has worked at the Meriden
Department of Health and Human Services for 15 years and is currently the
Director of Health and Human Services. The Department houses several
programs serving young persons such as School Health, Women, Infants and
Children (WIC), Youth Services, and School Readiness. Lea has a Master of
Public Health degree from Southern Connecticut State University and is a
certified site visitor for the Public Health Accreditation Board. In her spare
time she is an avid runner, completing over 90 half marathons, 5 marathons, and
2 ultra-marathons. Lea lives in Meriden with her husband Patrick.
Asaad Elsaadani
Asaad is married with Three children and has been a resident of Meriden for fifteen years. He is employed full time and holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cairo University, Egypt and University of New Haven, CT. Asaad is a graduate of the 2012 Meriden Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI).
Ronald Harris
Ronald is 31 years old and is a current Meriden
resident as a graduate of Platt High School. In 2010 Ronald obtained his CDL A
and has been truck driving since. He is married with 2 kids, Envy and
True Harris. He owns The Trucking Advertising Network LLC. and a nonprofit
organization called Human Unity and Equality, helping out his community. Ronald
plans to keep helping and improving his community as much as he can.
Megan Graham
Megan is a 16 year resident
of Meriden and has grown to call the city home. For the last 21 years she
has worked as a social worker for the Public Defender's Office at the Meriden
Superior Court helping clients access treatment, community supports, housing
and other resources to help them build healthy and whole versions of
themselves. She actively serves as the Chairperson of the Board of
Directors for Carriage House Day Care in Meriden and volunteers her time and
efforts for school and community activities her children are involved
in. Along with her husband Roy, she is the proud mother of Avery and
Julia. Megan is 1999 graduate of
the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in Human Development and Family
Relations.
Robert Vogt
Robert is lifelong resident of Meriden. He’s a Platt High
school graduate, and alumni of Central Connecticut State University where he
earned his bachelor’s in business management. He is a husband to Stephanie Vogt
and a father of Isabella Vogt. Robert is Loss Prevention Manager for Batista
Companies for the past 10 years.
Eni Riddle
Eni is a lifelong Meriden
resident, a Platt High School graduate, and alumni of Charter Oak State College
and Goodwin College. She is the Mother of Jackie and Jabari. Eni is an office
Manager at Hartford Healthcare where he has spent the last 12 years. She is an
active volunteer at her children's school.
Kendall Moorer
Kendall is a lifelong Meriden resident. A
Maloney High School graduate. He attended Naugatuck Valley CC earning his associates
degree. A father to Tristan & Lia. He also assist his sister in raising
Jace & Maxwell. He works full time in Law Enforcement as a Correction
Officer. He’s spent numerous years involved in the community, most recently
coaching at the YMCA for one of the youth basketball leagues.
