Verna Jones  is a Master level social worker in Texas with over 20 years of working with the homeless population in Dallas and Denton counties. She has 11 years of progressive experience with the Housing Crisis Center as Caseworker/Co-Director of long-term Transitional Housing Program, as Director of Permanent Supportive Housing for veterans, and as Interim Executive Director.

Verna Jones provides complete oversight of Under 1 Roof programs. She supervises caseworkers and social work interns, makes or approves the determination of services and oversees contract and data management. Since 2011 Verna has supervised over 100 social intern students from various universities teaching them how to be effective social worker. In addition to her role at Under 1 Roof Verna is also an adjunct instructor for Texas A & M University – Commerce in the Social Work Department.

Kimisha Peterson has a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is a Licensed Master of Social Work and certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  Kimisha provides intensive case management to program clients. She moves homeless individuals and family’s women and children from the streets, into “bridge” housing and then into Permanent Support Housing, while maintaining a relationship with the program clients. 

Kimisha is responsible for helping clients achieve successful placements, connecting each of them to mental health and substance abuse treatment resources, and provide on-going housing stabilization supports.  She assists clients in connecting with and support from established agencies, charities, and government programs.

She maintains a leadership role, supports the lead case manager and assist in assigning interns to new program participants, reviewing case notes, and ensuring all files are complete and accurate.

Janet Akorikin obtained a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. With Community and Administrative Practice as her focus, Janet is able to utilize her macro skills throughout the agency. She oversees the Social Services Program which provides rental and utility assistance to clients in Dallas and surrounding counties. This service allows clients to receive assistance to prevent possible eviction, disconnection, or even homelessness. She ensures all client files, reports, and payments are complete and accurate.

Janet also serves as the task supervisor for the Social Work interns, where she ensures the interns are assigned and successfully carrying out tasks that will aid in their experience and knowledge of the Social Work field.

Tatyana Williams is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Since graduating, Tatyana has obtained several certifications including, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and SOAR. Tatyana has 5+ years of dedicated experience in housing case management. She maintains a full case load, providing intensive case management to up to 25 households at any given time. She helps homeless individuals and families navigate through the system to secure housing and then on housing stability to ensure that these individuals and families do not return to homelessness. Tatyana plays a core role in helping clients reach self-sufficiency through impactful connections to mental health and substance abuse treatment, and community resources.In addition to her case management responsibilities, Tatyana maintains a leadership role as well. She provides support and mentorship to other case managers, and makes certain that

client files are complete and current.

Pat Hawkins  has Bachelor Degree in Accounting with 30 years of experience in working in nonprofit finance. She supports the day to day accounting needs of U1R, reviewing request for funds, cutting checks and maintaining required documentation. She supports completion of required reports.