Township of Franklin, NJ
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Youth Center Staff
Mawiyah Holliman
Program Manager, Mawiyah Holliman, is a life-long Franklin Township resident with a stellar professional background encompassing community volunteerism and youth outreach. Ms. Holliman is responsible for the development and oversight of Youth Center programs.
After graduating from Franklin High School, Ms. Holliman achieved a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Virginia Union University. After completing college, Ms. Holliman was employed for 3 years at the Franklin Township Community Resource and Services where she established over a decade of expertise in case management, sustaining community partnerships and providing resources and support to the youth of Franklin Township.
In April 2020 she transferred these skills to the Parks & Recreation Youth Center where her current responsibilities include direct oversight of youth programming, center outreach and service provider partnerships.
In her spare time Ms. Holliman actively volunteers with numerous local organizations including Franklin Township Pop Warner, Franklin High School Project Graduation, and other community partners. Ms. Holliman has noted that she is “excited about all the wonderful events and memories she will create for our community at the new Franklin Township Youth Center”.
Joel Painson
As a resident of Somerset County and living in Franklin Township for 23 years it’s refreshing to be a part of the “home team.” Having been a participant in Rec Soccer programs, advocating for Franklin’s first skatepark and being a graduate of Franklin High School I feel personally invested in the development and evolution of youth and overall community programs that will help Franklin Township be a better place to live.
With a background in Health & Wellness paired with a formal fine arts training in design, acting for film & television and art history there is no limits to how we can empower the youth to achieve greatness.
Youth Development Manager
732-873-7292
Joel.Painson@franklinnj.gov
Jennifer Gomez-Hernandez
Jennifer is a first-generation Latina college graduate. In 2020 she graduated with her Bachelor’s in Social Work from Ramapo College of New Jersey. In 2021 Jennifer completed the Advanced Standing Master’s program at Long Island University with a concentration in Forensic Social Work. During her college career, Jennifer was able to intern for North Start Academy in Newark, NJ and the Lutheran Social Services Safe Haven Program in Queens, NY. Jennifer has experience working as a Hospital Violence Intervention Specialist (HVIP) with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
Franklin Youth Resource Manager
732-873-7292
jennifer.gomez-hernandez@franklinnj.gov
She has worked as a School Social Worker for the New Brunswick Public Schools and Newark Board of Education. Jennifer is a certified trainer for the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA). As a first generation, Jennifer’s goal is to provide youth with the opportunity to be vulnerable in a space where they feel heard, valued, and empowered. She wants to inspire youth to achieve the unthinkable and challenge them to step out of their comfort zones and into growth!
Joe Jankowski
Program Coordinator, Joe Jankowski is determined to help the Youth of Franklin reach their full potential. With a degree in Exercise Science from Mercer County Community College and a degree in Sports Management from Rutgers University incoming, Joe hopes to combine his educational experience with his 7 years of Junior College Basketball Coaching experience.
Prior to his employment with the Franklin Youth Center, Joe spent 2 years on the Raritan Valley Community College Coaching Staff, before receiving an Athletic Scholarship from Mercer County Community College to be on their coaching staff from 2017-2022. Joe has since stepped down from his role in Junior College Basketball and has turned his sights on Franklin Township.
Franklin Youth Center Program Coordinator
732-873-7292
Joe.Jankowski@franklinnj.gov
Joe’s vision revolves around the use of sports as a vessel, one that helps the youth get from Point A to Point B, one that ties life into basketball, academics with football and job readiness with soccer. Even though most of our children will not go professional in sports, there is no reason that sports can not be a conduit for success in other fields.
Lakshmi Prabha
Lakshmi Prabha has been a Franklin Township Resident for over 7 years and dedicated herself to supporting Youth with Education and Development Programs. She is a Computer Science Engineering Graduate from Anna University, Tamil Nadu, India. She also served as a Project Engineer in Wipro Technologies for three years before moving to the US.
Lakshmi started her career in the US working with children as an Assistant Teacher. She is an active volunteer in Franklin Public Schools and has served as a volunteer event coordinator for non-profit organizations. She is also a trained Classical Dancer and performed on various stages in and around New Jersey.
With her outgoing disposition and diverse expertise, Lakshmi continues to deliver an array of successful programs which include serving as a lead volunteer for the 2023 Franklin Township Diwali program, event coordination with Youth Council students, and the launching of a highly popular Coding Program for Franklin Youth Center members.
Lakshmi believes that her extensive background in Computer, Technical Skills, Arts & Culture will show Franklin Youth how to create a successful career path.
Lakshmi is a strong advocate of empowering youth to develop their leadership skills to ensure their future success and the positive impact they will make within our communities today and tomorrow.
Jordyn Williams
Jordyn Williams has an extensive background in working with Youth. For well over a decade, she has held a variety of positions within the Township focused on youth development, family programming and special event management. Jordyn has a passion for volunteering which started as a Franklin middle-school student and continues to this day through outreach efforts benefiting residents within and beyond the Township.
Administrative Aide
732-873-7292
Jordyn.Williams@franklinnj.gov
Jordyn started her educational foundation in the Franklin Township School system, and she completed her education in the neighboring town of North Brunswick. Her background also includes allied health studies which she utilizes to enhance the care and administration of youth center programming
Jordyn’s overall goal is to provide youth with the correct tools to reach their fullest potential and she greatly enjoys sharing her expertise in support of their success. This includes showcasing her baking and design talents by developing a “Just Desserts” program where middle schoolers and high schoolers create unique dessert treats under her instruction.