Learn more about our plan to expand services to more children and families in our community
Our Staff
At Youth & Family Outreach we seek out kind, experienced, and skilled teachers to lead our classrooms and serve the children and families in our community. Learn more about our teachers and program staff below.
Camelia Babson-Haley, Executive Director
My son, Jeremiah, is the reason I am in the field of Early Childhood and have been since 1989. I was a young 20 year-old single mom of a 5-month old when I enrolled at the Community College of Southern Nevada. I earned my Associate's degree and worked in the lab school where Jeremiah was able to attend with me. In fact, he went everywhere with me! He went to the East Wilton (Maine) Head Start, the Clifton Child Care Center in Atlanta and he spent most of his afternoons with me here at YFO when he was in elementary school. I finished my Bachelor's degree at UMF and I have been at YFO since March of 2000. In 2017 I received my master’s degree in special education, proving that it is never too late!!
YFO is my home, my passion and I love every minute of my work here. I was drawn to YFO because I felt the desire to work with families that might have come from a similar background as myself. I was a young, single mom and I understood the difficulty of being poor in this world. I am now married to a wonderful teacher/musician and we live together in Portland. My favorite pass time is spending time with my BIG, beautiful family.
Morgan Harper, Infant/Toddler Program Coordinator
Hi! I’m Morgan, I grew up on Long Island, New York and found myself here in Portland Maine in 2015 with my now husband, Nathan. I found YFO 6 months into motherhood when I needed a job and care for my daughter, Penelope. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank my lucky stars that I nestled myself into this community. I have met my best friends, my kiddos have met their best friends, and we’ve made connections that have made parenting life feel so much more connected. The support and friendships here helped keep my head above water in those first few years of motherhood. I hold a BA in Marketing and worked in that field before leaving in search of something more aligned with myself. I started working in the field in 2012 and I love working in ECE because it fills me with joy. It’s one of the hardest jobs I've done but it rewards me with some of the best moments. I’ve learned so much about myself and healed some parts of me through this work. Being open to viewing children as whole people and being curious about how their world view is unfolding allows for great interactions. Now, after years of experience in multiple classrooms and a second kiddo (Hugo), I realize Early childhood education is my passion. I want kids to feel safe enough to voice their needs and come to me for support and ask all the questions they can think of, oh, and to laugh! That’s essential!
When I'm not at work I enjoy slow weekend mornings with a quiet cup of coffee, dance parties in my kitchen, taking hikes with my family, and sharing a meal with friends. I miss New York a lot but I love Maine so much, experiencing the change of the seasons here in so many different types of scenery, it makes me so happy to be a human. But, if I had to be an animal instead…. I’d be a whale, hands down! Gentle, aquatic giants; there’s something a little magical about them.
Evelyne Kanku, Curriculum Coordinator/Preschool Program Coordinator
I'm Evelyne. I live in Gray with my wonderful husband, Thierry and together we are blessed with four smart and beautiful girls; Trevy, Ashley, Benny, and Gracy. I am from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Before I left the Congo I did five years of college with a major in Administration and Commercial Sciences and a concentration in Pedagogy. In 2019 I graduated from The Southern Maine Community College with an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education. I began my work in child care and with YFO in March of 2012. I started as a floater before moving into a primary teaching position in the Tykes room. I strive to make students feel like they’re ready to have fun and learn when they are in a classroom with me. I love the impact I can make on the future of our children and I love the way YFO cares and worries for each other, staff & families. When I am not working I like to cook, to sing, to dance, to visit different places and to be with my family. If you were an animal which would you be: Dolphin, because of the ocean freedom and being one of the smartest ocean animals
Lubna Aria, School Chef
I was born and raised in Sudan near the Nuba mountains, living in the Otor tribe. My family moved to the city of Khartoum for me to go to school, because girls in my village were not allowed to be educated. After completing my graduate degree in nutrition, I returned to my village to conduct research on the causes of anemia in pregnant women that lived in the Nuba mountains. In Sudan I worked in a hospital as a dietician, working with diabetic adults and children who were malnourished. As the conflicts worsened in Sudan, I was forced to leave. My children and I spent 10 years in Egypt. There I started an organization to help uneducated Sudanese women feel more empowered. We arrived in the United States in April 2023. I now live in Westbrook with my husband and three children, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with the team at Youth and Family Outreach. In my spare time, I advocate on behalf of women and children who are still in Sudan, living in horrifying conditions.
PUBLIC PRE-K (Portland 4 year olds)
Anoff Cobblah Pre-K Teacher
My name is Anoff Cobblah and I am the lead teacher in the Pre-k Program here at YFO. I live in Westbrook with my wife, Jaime, and our two sons Weston and Roman. My boys keep me on my toes as well as provide a refreshing new outlook to life, love and the pursuit of dreams. I grew up in the small town of Maynard, Massachusetts with my younger brother and two adoring parents who still live in the same house I grew up in. My father is from Ghana and my mother was born in Oxford, England. I feel very proud of both my African and American heritage and embolden my students to feel the same. Within the almost ten years I have lived in Maine I received my Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education from The University of Maine Farmington while working within the educational field in several different facilities. I have worked in a variety of different classroom spaces and enjoy greatly the challenge and responsibility of meeting each and every child that walks through the door where they are on the developmental spectrum. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family. Together we enjoy walking, playing in the park, fishing, camping, hiking or just sitting around our fire pit in the backyard and looking for bats flying in the sky. I am Very exited and honored to be on the YFO team.
Nathan Higgins, Educational Technician Pre-K
You can call me Knate (yes, the K is silent!)! I am honored and so incredibly excited to be back teaching with the YFO Family. I taught here at YFO in the Tykes and Pre-School room from 2002-2006. After leaving YFO in 2006 I worked as an Arts Programmer/Curator for Theatre, Art Galleries, and Music Venues all around the Northeast. I've been a contributor for NHPR, a Pechakucha storyteller, and a TEDx speaker (all on a variety of subjects!). I'm a Gorham Maine native and have a deep passion for hiking, gardening, and film. I came back to work at YFO in 2018, and during these difficult times it has been like coming home, and I'm grateful to work with these amazing children every day.
Malinda Julson, PreK Teacher
Hello! I’m Malinda and I am one of the Public PreK teachers here at YFO. I grew up in northern Maine, and now live in South Portland with my spouse, Matt, and our two wonderful daughters Freya and Rosalie.
I first discovered my interest in teaching young children in high school while teaching dance classes and piano lessons after school. When I began my studies at the University of Maine in Orono, I truly found my passion and love for working with young children and their families. As an undergraduate, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Relations with a focus in Early Childhood Education. I then returned later to earn a master’s degree in Early Literacy and have been working with four and five year olds ever since.
When not teaching, I enjoy traveling with my family, trying out new restaurants, and taking any opportunity I can to attend music concerts and live theater.
Cara Rousseau, Educational Technician PreK
More info on Cara coming soon
PRESCHOOL (3.5 to 5 year olds)
Melissa Gilbert, Preschool Educator
Melissa Grew up in Pittsfield Massachusetts and started working in the early childhood field in 2008. When she’s in a classroom Melissa hopes that children and families feel safe, ready to learn and have fun. The best part about working in early childhood education is watching and participating in the growth of young families, while the best part YFO for Melissa is being part of a community that respects the diversity of everyone. Outside of work Melissa is a DIYer, gardener, painter and reader. Some of her favorite things to do are thrifting, collecting sea glass, going to the beach and catching up with friends. If given the chance to become an animal, she’d be a squirrel! They seem so happy and energetic. They look like they are always jumping and scampering from tree to tree gathering nuts and there seems to never be a sad squirrel.
Estella Nyapir, Assistant Preschool Educator
I came to YFO as an early childhood intern at Portland Arts and Technology High School in the fall of 2016. I love being with the children, laughing with them and playing.
TODDLERS (12mos. to 2.5 year olds)
Kimberly LeClair, Toddler Educator
I have lived in Maine my whole life and raised my three daughters Nina, Natasha and Katie here. Now I'm lucky to help raise my six grandchildren. I have always enjoyed hearing children's laughter through their play. This has led me to work in the childcare field. As a child grows you see many different parts of their growing. Being at Youth and Family Outreach since 1999, I am happy to say I have had the pleasure of taking care of so many children! What a magical feeling to be a part of. I am a lifelong learner and go to trainings to help keep up on the new ways to help teach the children. But I also believe they children teach us every day. On my time off I enjoy summer days at the beach, and spending time with my wonderful friends and family.
Aida Ndungambote, Toddler Educator
I grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo in a family of 5 girls with my loving and protective parents. Now I live with my husband and our three children. I began my career in early childhood in Brazil where I spent two years working in a center before coming to the U.S. I came to YFO because I have a desire to grow and discover. I had this passion, after becoming a mother to take care of children as I would like my son to be cared for, and above all, because it was natural to me.
Infants (6 weeks - 12 Months old)
Fatima Ribeiro, Lead Infant Educator
More about Fatima coming soon
Lisette Mbangu, Assistant Educator
I am from Luanda, Angola. I live with my daughter Janey in South Portland now. I came to YFO because I knew that I wanted to work with children. I enjoying watching them play, talking with them, and having fun. My favorite season is summer, and enjoy going to Funtown!
Ummay Rani, Infant room Foster Grandparent
The Opportunity Aliance’s foster grandparent program of Maine connects people 55 and older to classrooms in Portland to provide support to both teachers and students. Umay has been with YFO since 2017 and is an incredible addition to the classroom; from assisting with meal prep to hugging kiddos and wiping their tears, we are so lucky to have her.
Fred Dobson, Floating Educator
Fred grew up in Portland, Maine and has been working in the Early Childhood field since 2015. At one point he thought he wanted to work with college kids, but realized how much more important the work is when kids are young. Fred loves the community at YFO and is happy to find himself back home and a part of it. Outside of work, Fred enjoys books, art, music, film, music and more music. Oh, and puppets: they really inspire him! His favorite part of Maine, you may find yourself asking… the lack of separation from Nature. No escaping Nature in this glorious state!
If Fred could be any animal, we would want to be a Capybara. They’re just too cute and fuzzy… and they love floating about in water and so does he.
Isabelle Mugeni, Floating Educator
I grew up in DR Congo in Kinshasa. I love my country, the freedom of the people and I have a lot of wonderful memories from there - particularly the food! I now live just down the street from YFO in Portland! I would pass by YFO often, and loved seeing how much joy there was there. I decided to take a chance, knowing that I wanted to work with children, so I stopped in to see if they were hiring! I love to have fun and make people laugh. I give a lot of love to people around me, especially children. In my spare time I like to sing, watch documentaries and cook!
Adelia Mena, Floating Educator
I am from Luanda, the capital of Angola. I grew up in a neighborhood called Sapu. I now live with my parents and two siblings in Portland. the thing that brought me to the early childhood field is the love and passion I have for kids. I came to YFO through the Jobs For Maine Graduates program in my senior year. I stayed because I wanted to be in a joyful environment where I can get good experience, and because YFO feels like family to me. I am a patient and understanding person, and I think that is because of all the time I spend with my little sister. My favorite memory is when I saw her for the first time coming home from the hospital with my Mom.
Lisa Falardeau, Volunteer and part time substitute
I am from all over! My Dad was in the navy, so we moved around a lot. I was born in Connecticut and lived in Hawaii, California, Florida and New York before coming to Maine. I now live with my husband and 4 of our five children (and our two cats!). I don’t remember a time that I wasn’t obsessed iwth babies. I used to walk around with my backpack on my front with a baby doll in it and pretend I was a Mama. Whenever anyone asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always to be a Mom. I got my degree in special education so that I could work with troubled youth. I taught grades 3-5 in rural Maine schools until my first child was born. I came to YFO because I was looking for a non-profit to volunteer with babies, and came across the YFO website. I was super impressed with what I learned there, and here I am! My favorite thing is to spend time with my family, especially if we are camping, crafting or baking.
