Get to know our JFS Boulder team
Our JFS Boulder team believes in strengthening the community by providing vital services to those in need. Every day, JFS helps people overcome difficult life challenges to reach their full potential with programs and services to keep them supported, connected, and engaged. Services include care management, counseling, companionship, emergency assistance, and holiday celebrations.
Get to know our remarkable JFS Boulder staff.
Melissa Mascarenas, Director of JFS Boulder
mmascarenas@jewishfamilyservice.org
720.459.3883
As director, Melissa develops new and relevant programming to meet community needs in Boulder County. She also helps to oversee current, ongoing programs and services.
Melissa began her work at JFS in 2012 as an intern in the Disability Services department to complete her bachelor's degree in social work from Metropolitan State University. She continued her journey, taking on different roles within the department with her last position as the QA/worksite program manager. In April 2022, Melissa transitioned to be the lead Boulder programs and case management coordinator.
Q. What inspires you to work at JFS?
The amazing work the agency does for the community and for those in need of support. Knowing that we are making a positive impact in someone’s life and putting a smile on their face makes me come to work every day.
Q. What’s your most valuable career experience?
The most valuable experience I have gained while working at JFS for the last 10 years (one as an intern) is to take a step back and appreciate the situation someone else is in. Often, we get so caught up in the daily hustle of life that we get irritated when something small does not go as planned. The populations I have worked with in the Disability department and now in the Boulder department have shown me that life has much more to appreciate and seeing their positive attitudes, perseverance, and resiliency has brought me a new outlook. Actively listening to their stories of the challenges they have overcome and how they have seen success is inspiring. Data collection is something I never thought I would enjoy or need. My career has taught me it is important and is interesting to compile.
Q. What’s a fun fact most people wouldn’t know about you?
I come from a very small town; my high school graduating class was one of the biggest at 19 students.
Q. What do you like to do when not working?
I am a mom of two. They both keep me busy with a variety of sports they participate in. I love going to concerts and spending time with friends when I am able to fit it in.
Stuart Feinhor, MA, MAHL, MFA, Programs Coordinator, Care Manager
sfeinhor@jewishfamilyservice.org
720.248.4684
As program and care management coordinator, Stuart focuses on providing care management services to older adults, co-facilitating the Caregivers Support Group, developing additional programs for older adults, and providing emergency financial support for individuals facing housing instability or are unable to pay for basic needs. Stuart also works closely with staff and volunteers to match Friendly Visitors with his older adult Care Management clients.
Stuart joined JFS in July 2020. Starting as programs coordinator, Stuart was soon promoted to care manager. Prior to that, he served for 10 years as senior district advocate for then-Congressman Jared Polis.
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, and a graduate of Brandeis University, Stuart has lived in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Paris, and Jerusalem. In 2001, he moved with his aunt, for whom he was a primary caregiver, to Boulder. Somehow, he’s managed to stay here for over 21 years! He feels particularly passionate about supporting caregivers, their families, and anybody in need of our services.
Q. What inspires you to work at JFS?
Jewish and Family and Service!
Q. What’s your most valuable career experience?
OUTSIDE JFS: Working for a member of congress, and being tasked with senior issues, among others, taught me more about SSA, VA, OAA, etc. than anything.
INSIDE JFS: Building on my previous experience while not having to reinvent the wheel. For example, having contacts at SSA has been hugely useful. Also having a connect to the Governor!
Q. What’s a fun fact most people wouldn’t know about you?
I lived in Paris from 1984-1985. Also, I knit.
Q. What do you like to do when not working?
Avoid questionnaires.
Nicole (Nikki) Hosack, Administrative Analyst
nhosack@jewishfamilyservice.org
720.378.6721 x9768
As an administrative analyst, Nikki coordinates office procedures, creates efficiencies, improves internal and external communications, organizes data and schedules, and helps program staff successfully meet their goals.
Nikki joined the JFS Boulder team in 2022 and has extensive administrative experience, including her work at Har Hashem in Boulder for six years. She analyzes the processes and best practices in our Boulder office to improve efficiency and effectiveness and plays a big administrative role in our partnership with Boulder County Crisis Counseling.
Nikki was born in Colorado and has lived and worked in Boulder County for the last 12 years.
Q. What inspires you to work at JFS?
Feeling like the work I do makes a difference and being part of a team that supports our community with great programs.
Q. What’s your most valuable career experience?
Working for non-profits to help people in need.
Q. What’s a fun fact most people wouldn’t know about you?
I moved to a different state every 3-5 years of my life until I was 20 years old when I moved back to my home state of Colorado.
Q. What do you like to do when not working?
Outdoor adventures!
Coco Caporal, Mental Health Program Manager
ccaporal@jewishfamilyservice.org
720.598.2071
Psychology Today profile
As the Mental Health Program Manager, Coco assists in developing, training, and supervising the new Boulder mental health team. Coco also provides psychotherapy to a small caseload of JFS Boulder clients.
Coco joined JFS in April 2023 and has extensive community mental health experience. Before coming to JFS, Coco worked at nonprofit mental health agencies in Los Angeles, providing psychotherapy to children and adults. She also supervised licensed/unlicensed therapists and was a project director for a grant-funded program.
Coco is originally from Massachusetts and moved to Los Angeles after graduating high school. Coco earned her bachelor's degree from Loyola Marymount University and a master's degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. Coco is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Colorado.
Q: What inspires you to work at JFS?
Knowing that our services are reaching and supporting people who might otherwise not have access to care. I am excited to be a part of a team that has such a positive impact on the lives of so many individuals and their families!
Q: What’s your most valuable career experience?
Seeing how therapy can change someone's life! My work with young children and their caregivers has been particularly impactful. It is amazing to see a mother feel confident in playing with her child, a father feel like he can connect with his daughter, or a grandparent shift parenting styles to change family dynamics.
Q: What’s a fun fact most people wouldn’t know about you?
I love skiing and hiking but am scared of heights!
Q: What do you like to do when not working?
Cooking, working out, spending time with friends/family, and trying new things!
Catherine Russell, LPC, JFS Boulder Therapist
crussell@jewishfamilyservice.org
720.779.0290
Psychology Today profile
Catherine is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in Colorado. She has a master’s degree in Contemplative Psychology from Naropa University. She has provided therapeutic support to people ages 5-92 as a crisis clinician at a community mental health center, a psychiatric triage clinician at a community hospital, and a therapist in private practice. Catherine has been trained in Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, contemplative/mindfulness practices, and trauma training. She has in-depth experience providing clients and patients with therapeutic support and crisis stabilization.
Born in the Hudson Valley outside New York City and raised primarily in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Catherine has lived in Boulder for 10 years and metro-Denver for 15 years. Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, Catherine was a communications director and advisor to C-suite executives and their teams at FORTUNE 500 companies, consulting firms, start-ups, and nonprofit organizations. Catherine received her bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications and Theater Arts from the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia.
Q: What inspires you to work at JFS? |
JFS’ excellent reputation in the metro-Denver and Boulder communities for providing mental health and case management services. The Jewish value of Pikuah Nefesh “He who saves one life saves the entire world,” which guides the delivery of JFS services, also greatly inspires me.
Q: What’s your most valuable career experience?
Helping clients who need therapeutic support or are in crisis. It’s amazing to help make a difference for someone on potentially the worst day of their life.
Q: What’s a fun fact most people wouldn’t know about you?
I have a twin brother and a younger sister and brother who are also twins.
Q: What do you like to do when not working?
Hiking, swimming, working out, hanging out with family and friends, listening to live music, reading, and watching movies.
Tina Kantor, MPH, JFS Boulder Community Engagement Liaison
ckantor@jewishfamilyservice.org
720.248.4608
Tina has worked her entire career in the public sector, helping nonprofits build their capacity to serve marginalized and vulnerable populations with administrative tools, outreach, volunteer engagement, development, data collection, and program planning. She is both a spreadsheet lover and a people person, and is pleased she gets to use both in her role as a Community Engagement Liaison for the JFS Boulder office.
Tina lived many years in the Midwest, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a master’s degree in public health. After being a full-time parent for many years, she returned to the professional world at a small agency very similar to JFS, and loved it there, so is delighted to be working in the same field while living near the Rockies--and her sister and youngest niece.
Q: What inspires you to work at JFS?
JFS makes such a difference in the lives of so many people in so many ways. Here I can be part of that impact, share my passions and talents, and help make the Denver area a better place to live for everyone.
Q: What’s your most valuable career experience?
Working with a chaplain and care managers and seeing the many challenges people face as they age, encounter illness, grief or financial challenges, or grapple with major life upheavals, AND then seeing the huge impact that holistic wraparound services from a place like JFS and its volunteers, donors, and staff can make in helping people maintain hope and build resilience.
Q: What’s a fun fact most people wouldn’t know about you?
I am a very experienced knitter and have even had patterns published by knitting magazines and yarn companies.
Q: What do you like to do when not working?
Being outside moving is my favorite thing. In (almost) any weather. I also like doing messy arts and crafts projects with my niece, making tasty recipes using interesting international and local ingredients, playing word games, and reading about archeology and ancient history. And of course, knitting ( crocheting, quilting, sketching…)
Claudia Johnson, LPC, ADDC Psychotherapist
cjohnson@jewishfamilyservice.org
720.459.3901
Psychology Today profile
Claudia is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and is working on finishing her requirements to be a Licensed Addiction Counselor as well. Claudia joined the JFS Boulder team October 2023. Prior to this, Claudia has worked in hospital settings providing inpatient psychotherapy and psychiatric evaluations. Claudia has also spent time providing school-based psychotherapy as part of a grant funded program. Claudia is originally from Illinois, but after moving to Denver for graduate school has been proud to call Colorado home for over 4 years now.
Q: What inspires you to work at JFS?
Getting to support communities of people who may not have access to services if it weren’t for JFS.
Q: What’s your most valuable career experience?
Seeing people take their lives back after traumatic experiences. Helping people rediscover how strong and capable they really are!
Q: What’s a fun fact most people wouldn’t know about you?
I did my master’s degree in forensic psychology!
Q: What do you like to do when not working?
Concerts, concerts, and more concerts!