Program Directors

Empowerment Advocacy Department Director

Marilyn Tucci

Marilyn Tucci has been working at Self-Initiated Living Options, Inc. (SILO) since 2007, providing essential support to individuals with disabilities through peer counseling, advocacy, support groups and providing information and referrals. She has a long history of passionately advocating for those with disabilities in the community, earning numerous awards and recognition for her contributions in various areas. Marilyn can be found with her guide dog, Chloe by her side as she actively advocates each day to resolve ongoing community accessibility concerns and empower those around her.

Housing Director

Taciana Cheriel

Taciana has been with Self-Initiated Living Options, Inc. (SILO) since November 2020, starting as a Housing Specialist with the Rapid Transition Housing Program prior to being promoted to Assistant Director of Housing Programs, then Director of Housing Programs. Taciana has her Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Nassau Community College and Bachelors Degree in Criminology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Taciana enjoys spending time with family/friends and decorating for small events in her free time.

Housing Assistant Director

Toni De Sena

Toni has been with Self-Initiated Living Options, Inc. (SILO) since April of 2022, starting as a Housing Specialist with the Rapid Transition Housing Program prior to being promoted to Assistant Director of Housing Programs. Toni worked in the medical field for 5 years where she grew a compassion or helping others. Toni enjoys spending time with family/friends and listening to music.

Director of Independent Living Services & NY Connects

Kelly-Rae Douglas

Kelly-Rae Douglas started her career with Self-Initiated Living Options, Inc. (SILO) as an Administrative Assistant with the NY Connects Program in 2017. From that point, her passion for Human Services & Advocacy only continued to grow as she moved into various positions within the organization, leading to her current position as Director of Independent Living Services & NY Connects. Kelly-Rae holds a CASAC-T credential from Outreach Training Institute. Kelly-Rae is also a leadership member of LI-CAN, a not for profit that brings community members, organizations & agencies together to work with political leadership towards systemic change on various issues within our communities.

NY Connects Assistant Director and Food Pantry Coordinator

Maria Patellaro

Maria has been with NY Connects since December of 2018, starting as the program’s Administrative Assistant while also helping to build and maintain the Lending Closet program and on expanding SILO's Food Pantry. Maria was promoted to Assistant Director of NY Connects and is also now the Food Pantry Coordinator. In addition to her experience at SILO, Maria has a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Long Island University.

Peer Integration Program (PIP) Director

Kelsey Kalafut

Kelsey Kalafut embarked on her journey at Self-Initiated Living Options, Inc. (SILO) as an intern in August of 2019, witnessing the remarkable growth of the Peer Integration Program from its nascent stages. Throughout, Kelsey took part in its development, working closely with the previous director, Kim Bjorklund, LCSW, and contributing to its expansion. Upon graduation, Kelsey was hired full-time in June 2021 as an Information & Assistance Specialist for NY Connects and soon pivoted back to the Peer Integration Program. Beyond program duties, Kelsey actively facilitates several support groups and orchestrates engaging social events like bingo nights. With a genuine dedication to advocacy, Kelsey's passion lies in empowering individuals with disabilities. Holding a master's in Social Welfare from Stony Brook University and an LMSW, Kelsey is deeply committed to enhancing the lives of the community members at SILO.

Open Doors Program Director

Nicole Johnson

Nicole has been with Self-Initiated Living Options, Inc. (SILO) since the beginning of 2019, starting as a Housing Specialist with the Rapid Transition Housing Program prior to being promoted to Assistant Director, and then to Director of Housing Programs. She then moved over to Director of the Open Doors Program. Nicole has her Bachelor’s Degree in Science Technology and Society- Health and Wellness, with a concentration in Psychology, from Farmingdale State College. She has a love for people and animals alike, so when she is not identifying housing and facilitating moves, she is spending time with her golden retriever, Paisley.

Open Doors Assistant Director

Maria Vanegas

Open Doors Peer Coordinator

Brandon Heinrich

Brandon was born blind with no chance of recovering his vision. He spent the first nine years of his academic life in the public schools but found he was not getting everything he needed from them, due to the absences of state of the art technology, and their lack of education on inclusivity. Brandon then went to a High School for the blind, which proved to serve him much better. Brandon took some time off and began Suffolk Community College in 2015. Brandon began working as a Peer Advocate for SILO’s Peer Outreach Program in 2021 and has since been promoted to Peer Supervisor due to his dedication to the community. He now spends his time advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, including the right for them to live in the community, have safe and reliable transportation, and otherwise live a normal and independent life.

Lead NHTD Waiver

Ryan Criscione

Ryan began her career at Self-Initiated Living Options, Inc. (SILO) in 2020 as the Administrative Assistant for the NHTD Waiver Program. Ryan was promoted to a Regional Resource Development Specialist in 2021 for the NHTD Waiver Program, where she reviewed Initial Service Plans for all the participants in the Long Island Region. In 2022, Ryan was promoted to the Lead of the NHTD Waiver Program. She is excited to be able to help people with disabilities flourish in the community. In her spare time Ryan enjoys spending time with her family, animals and playing with special effects makeup.

Lead TBI Waiver

Audra Messineo

Audra began her career at Self-Initiated Living Options, Inc. (SILO) as a Regional Resource Development Specialist in 2021 for the NHTD and TBI Waiver Programs. In 2023, Audra was promoted to the Lead of the NHTD Waiver Program and later transferred to the Lead of the TBI Waiver Program. Audra received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Art Therapy in 2008, and Masters of Science Degree in Education in 2013 from C.W. Post Long Island University. She has dedicated 15 years to working with children and adults with disabilities in various degrees and is excited to be able to continue to help individuals maintain their independence in the community. In her spare time Audra enjoys spending time with her family, friends and Cavapoo, Penny.

SWTCIE Program Director

Gregory Runfola

Gregory Runfola serves as Program Director for the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) initiative in Suffolk County, New York. He leads the SWTCIE team in transitioning individuals with disabilities from sheltered workshops into meaningful, competitive community employment. The program specializes in Customized Employment, working with participants to identify their strengths and interests while partnering with local businesses to create individualized opportunities.

A former adaptive physical education teacher, Gregory brings a strong background in education, advocacy, and inclusion. Outside of his professional role, he is an active member of his church and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Lead TBI Regional Resource Development Specialist

Venesa Arroyo

Venesa Arroyo has been an employee at SILO since July of 2022. She previously was a Career Services Advisor at Hunter Business School & an Administrative Assistant for the Trauma Department at Stonybrook Hospital. At SILO, she is in charge of ACCES-VR orientation registrations & also the coordinator of the TRAID department which lends out a multitude of equipment for people with all types of disabilities.
Venesa has had many businesses along the way & is the single mother of 3 successful children & grandmother of 3 wonderful grandchildren.
She is also a professional singer & musician of guitar, piano & drums. She is a huge Elvis & Beatles fan & during her down time, she loves to crochet.
Venesa’s desire to help people is the reason why Self-Initiated Living Options is the perfect match for her.