Dr. Ami M. Angell

Founder & Director of Outreach

Ami M. Angell, PhD, LLM created The h3 Project to creatively address the issue of homelessness and human trafficking in Washington, D.C. Through previous work with other DC homeless agencies she recognized a need that was not being met. Other positions she has held in the DCMV area include Executive Director at HER Resiliency Center and Director of Outreach with Pathways to Housing DC. Ami came to the DC area as a specialist in the education and global threat arena, particularly in the area of Anti-Human Trafficking. Prior experience includes as a counter-terrorism and human trafficking research fellow at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research in Singapore, as well as a Rehabilitation and Reintegration Development Advisor with USAID in Afghanistan. She has spent a substantial amount of time working in the Middle East and Asia, including 44 months in Iraq (2005–2008), 22 months in Afghanistan (2010-2012), and 24 months in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel. She also has worked and lived in Lebanon, Jordan, Qatar, Italy, Switzerland, England and Singapore. Her pastimes include traveling the world, enjoying good food, boxing, and competing in triathlon.

Ami founded The h3 Project on January 1, 2020.

Alexis Johannessen, M.A.

Associate Director of Outreach

Alexis Johannessen is a driven advocate who believes that all people are deserving of basic human rights. She discovered her desire to pursue a career in human rights during her time as a Program Coordinator in Metro Manila, Philippines. In Manila Alexis conducted daily outreach supporting informal communities that lacked access to basic resources, while also living in a safe house with 50 human trafficking survivors and assisting with day to day tasks. After working in that capacity for several years, Alexis then completed a Bachelor’s in Sociology from Roosevelt University. Her time at Roosevelt University inspired her to seek deeper knowledge about homelessness and human trafficking on a global scale, so she completed a Master’s in International Development from the University of Manchester. Upon graduation she moved to Washington DC and accepted a role with Pathways to Housing DC as an Encampment Outreach Specialist with the CARES Pilot Program. In that role she worked daily with those in DC’s encampments as they transitioned from homelessness to being housed. In her free time Alexis enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, practicing meditation and mindfulness, rock and mineral collecting, and spending time with her two cats.

Alexis has worked at The h3 Project since March 2022.

Andrew Meza

Outreach Program Manager

Andrew Meza is a Mexican/Guatemalteco DMV native and Certified Peer Specialist who is fiercely dedicated to closing the gaps between social services and the communities they serve. Drawing from his lived experience and professional background in outreach, Andrew is passionate about Housing First and client centered approaches that ensure vulnerable and underserved communities have access to quality housing, case management, and supportive services. He specializes in supporting LGBTQ+, undocumented, and Limited English Proficiency communities with a focus on meeting folks where they are and building trust through compassionate, community centered work. Andrew previously served as a Bilingual Street Outreach Specialist at SMYAL, supporting LGBTQ+ and immigrant individuals experiencing homelessness with housing, gender affirming care, legal support, and other essential resources. Before his current role, in 2024 he also served as Lead Outreach Specialist at the h3 Project, where he further developed his passion for homeless outreach and justice. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys exploring global cultures, attending jaripeos, and dancing bachata with friends.

Andrew worked at The h3 Project during the year 2024 and rejoined h3 in August 2026

Synergy

Wellness Ambassador

Synergy is a purebred Juliana mini pig, weighing a delightful 7.5 pounds as of August 2026. Born on December 21, 2025, in Michigan, she made her way to the DC area on March 17, 2026, with a mission: to spread joy to everyone she meets.

Her heartwarming role as Wellness Ambassador involves bringing smiles to those feeling down and offering comfort and joy. Synergy embodies a judgment free work ethic, accepting everyone she comes across as they are. Currently, Synergy is undergoing certification as a therapy mini pig through the American Mini Pig Association, where she’s working hard to master the 52 required tricks and tasks to earn her certification.

Excited about her future title, Synergy looks forward to continuing her work with The h3 Project. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing piano and is even learning to skateboard.

Synergy has worked at The h3 Project since March 2026

Diamond Miles

Outreach Specialist

Diamond Miles was born and raised in Washington DC, making him a true Washingtonian. He has devoted his professional path to making Washington DC a better place for all people. In his career Diamond has worked in street outreach for seven years as a health & wellness counselor, street-based STD & STI tester, and group facilitator. In addition,  he previously  served as an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community with the Sasha Bruce P.O.W.E.R Program. Diamond seeks to meet every individual he engages with right where they are in life by approaching them with kindness, patience, and non-judgment. Diamond hopes that one day the world can be free from individuals experiencing homelessness, and is driven to do his part in making that happen. In his free time Diamond enjoys singing, participating in theater performances, and cooking. 

 

Diamond has worked with The h3 Project since July 2020.

Jesse Champ

Outreach Specialist

Jesse Champ was born in Asuncion, Paraguay. He has lived in the Washington D.C and Baltimore City area for over 30 years. Jesse takes pride in having lived experience in many of the challenges that our clients are facing. Having his own experience and knowledge to build on gives Jesse a special insight into helping individuals experiencing homelessness and substance abuse disorder. Jesse began putting his lived expertise into action while helping to end the opioid crisis in West Baltimore. He then went on to become a Certified Peer Specialist trained by the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health.

Family and community has always been very important to Jesse. In his time off Jesse enjoys coaching baseball for inner city elementary kids, spending time with his son, and having family time. 

Jesse has worked with The h3 Project since September 2023.

Grant Dillivan

Outreach Specialist

Grant Dillivan grew up in Powell, Wyoming before going on to earn his Bachelor degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology at the University of Wyoming. While at the University of Wyoming Grant most notably worked as a student peer mentor to incoming students, and as a volunteer advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault with the Albany County SAFE Project. Grant most recently served as a Community Health Fellow with the nonprofit Project Horseshoe Farm in Greensboro Alabama. In this role, Grant worked to improve the health and wellbeing of those living in the Black Belt region of Alabama. Having lived most of his life in rural, tight-knit communities, Grant has seen the power of community initiatives and the impact that direct support can have on individual lives. Grant is passionate about building supportive relationships with others, and he always strives to provide those he meets with love and dignity. Grant is also passionate about becoming immersed in the communities he serves in, and is looking forward to getting to know DC and all the people who live here! Grant believes that all people regardless of background should have access to crucial resources such as housing and education, and that everyone can do just a little bit every day to help out others in their community. In his free time Grant enjoys reading, being outdoors, and spending time with friends.

Grant has worked at The h3 Project since August 2025.

Abigail Frierson

Outreach Specialist

Abigail was born in Modesto, California, and grew up between Longview and El Paso, TX. Abigail moved to DC in August 2022 on the Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholars scholarship for first generation students of color at American University. Abigail graduated from American University in May of 2026 with two Bachelor’s degrees in Transcultural Literature and African American & African Diaspora Studies. Abigail’s education and personal experience has deepened her understanding of, and has propelled her drive to address the historical circumstances and socio-economic systems that sustain situations of homelessness in the US. Abigail completed a one year Community Service-Learning Program (CSLP) with the h3 project during her undergraduate studies, and The h3 Project was excited to welcome Abigail back to the team full time. Abigail believes that empathy and compassion make up the core pillars of her work at h3, and hopes to inspire others to treat all people with kindness and dignity. Outside of her professional work, Abigail is connected to creative communities in her hometown and in the DMV area where she is active in organizing mutual aid drives, harm reduction teach-ins, and tattooing sessions at local art and music events. In her free time, Abigail enjoys drawing and making art with friends, tattooing, reading and writing poetry, and spending time with her cat.

Abigail served as an American University Community Service Scholar with h3 in 2024 and has worked with The h3 Project as full time staff since June 2026.

Emrakel Berhanu

Outreach Specialist

Originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Emrakel brings both lived experience and a strong passion for helping others into her outreach work. She is currently pursuing a Psychology degree through Southern New Hampshire University. Her background in community outreach and advocacy has strengthened her ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds while approaching every interaction with empathy, patience and respect.

Emrakel is passionate about mental health and harm reduction. Emrakel believes a meaningful outreach is about more than just providing resources, it’s about making people feel seen, heard and supported with dignity. Outside of work Emrakel enjoys creative projects, music, spending time with loved ones, and, of course, her dog!

Emrakel has worked at The h3 Project since May 2026

Cyan Jackson

Outreach Fellow

Cyan grew up in Los Angeles, CA before moving to the East Coast to major in International Studies at Vassar College. She moved to Washington, D.C. in 2023 to participate in the Avodah Jewish Service Corps. Through this opportunity, she worked as a Volunteer Coordinator and Migrant Advocate for the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), supporting asylum seekers and asylees across the DMV. While working in the Social Services department, Cyan was inspired to realign her career goals to direct service work. Currently, Cyan is working towards her Master’s in Social Work at Catholic University of America. She is proud to serve individuals experiencing homelessness through The h3 Project. Outside of work, Cyan loves to craft and explore neighborhood community events.

Cyan has interned at The h3 Project since September 2026.