Ami M. Angell, PhD, LLM

FOUNDER AND CEO

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.

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 with The h3 Project since March 2022.

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.

Genevieve Hargrove

Outreach and Special Projects Coordinator

Genevieve Hargrove is an experienced advocate and supporter of underserved populations, including those experiencing homelessness, immigrants, international rural communities, and refugees. Genevieve credits her passion for this work to her years of service in her hometown of Nashville, TN. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, concentrated in Community Health, and a minor in Applied Spanish from East Tennessee State University. Since moving to Washington DC in 2017, Genevieve has worked with various DC homeless organizations in different roles and capacities. In 2018, she began volunteering with Street Outreach initiatives and then joined Pathways to Housing DC at the Downtown Day Services Center (DDSC.) She also worked with HER Resiliency Center supporting young women ages 18-25 as a Strengths and Skills Facilitator. In her free time, Genevieve is passionate about free-form movement and dance, learning about and promoting conversations around Mental Health, viewing the world through a systems-thinking lens, acroyoga, fire dancing, and enjoying time in DC’s beautiful parks. 

Genevieve has worked with The h3 Project since July 2020

Edward Wycliff M.S.

Outreach Specialist

Edward has a passion for community development and social entrepreneurship. Edward earned a master’s degree in Conflict Resolution and Governance from the Universiteit van Amsterdam, before joining the Peace Corps. He served as a Healthy Youth Advisor in the Kingdom of Lesotho where he focused his efforts on expanding access to HIV education, resources and empowering remote villages through small business development. It was during his time in the Peace Corps where Edward lived amongst communities experiencing some of the most extreme poverty in one of the world’s least developed nations. He began to understand the poverty he saw each day as a public health crisis, and entrepreneurship as a potential intervention. He went on to co-found a business in Lesotho, empowering Basotho communities by traveling village to village, training communities to sustainably sew bowties and other garments for an international market. In his spare time Edward continues to sew custom items and sell unique creations at international art and craft festivals.

Edward has worked with The h3 Project since June 2022.

William “Bill” McGugan

Outreach Specialist

Mona’ Adams

Outreach Specialist

Mona’ Adams believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to live meaningful lives that bring them peace and purpose. Growing up in a military family, she has been able to travel around the world, using it as an opportunity to grow her skills of adaptability and resilience. Since moving to DC, Mona’ has participated in many community outreach events which inspired her to work for The h3 Project. She is a firm believer in mental health and finding individuals resources that best benefit them. In her free time, Mona’ enjoys spending time with family, watching/playing basketball, cooking, and participating in all things self-care

Mona’ has worked with The h3 Project since July 2023.

Sidonia Lindo

Administrative Assistant

At a distinct first impression, Sidonia’s professionalism, organization skills, and intelligence demonstrate her maturity far beyond her age. Born and raised in the heart of Kingston, the tireless capital of Jamaica, her education and experience contribute to her standout quality of being a highly effective problem solver. Her ability to apply her infectious personality, social knowledge, and understanding consistently connects with the full spectrum of diversity of interactions that h3 facilitates. Sidonia’s positive interpersonal skills have been dynamic for the h3 Project as we excel in building trust with our clients. She is quick on her feet and sharp in deducing the state of affairs in social scenarios we encounter, along with possessing immense courage for action-taking and resolution-building. Sidonia holds multiple certifications for the relevant social areas in which she is active. She most recently earned a certification to train others in Human Trafficking through the Center for Diplomacy in Washington, DC in November 2022. In her spare time, Sidonia unwinds by cooking and exploring the various attractions and restaurant offerings in whatever city she is in.

Sidonia has worked with The h3 Project since May 2022.

Matthew Gossart

Grant Manager

Matthew Gossart is a Northeastern University School of Nursing graduate who began working with homeless populations in college. He has worked as an Emergency Department Technician and Medical Assistant at several Boston hospitals. His clinical experiences took him to shelters throughout Boston where he participated in the Commonwealth’s Phase 1 COVID vaccination rollout aimed at vaccinating the large shelter population, as well as providing other resources to the homeless individuals of the city. 

Matt has worked with The h3 Project’s Opioid Awareness Campaign since June 2021.

Ashton Samuels

Outreach Specialist

Ashton Samuels started off as an intern at The h3 Project in October, 2022. They graduated in May, 2023, with a Bachelor of Social Work from The Catholic University of America. They were heavily involved in the LGBTQ+ community while in college and put in work as a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community on their campus.

Upon graduation Ashton began working for The h3 Project full time as an outreach specialist. Ashton has a passion for mental health care and substance use treatment, especially among homeless populations. In their spare time, Ashton enjoys painting, knitting, and learning new recipes.

Ashton has worked with The h3 Project since May 2023.

Jesse Champ

Peer 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.

Andrew Meza

Outreach Specialist