Promise Corps Staff

We know many of you have seen our faces but we wanted to take this opportunity to formally introduce ourselves as the Promise Corps team for Overbrook High School.  Promise Corps is a program located at Overbrook, Sayre, West Philadelphia and School of the Future.  AmeriCorps members support a caseload of 40 students in grades 10-12, facilitating coaching and advising sessions with our students over the course of the school year focused on creating and achieving a plan for their post-secondary steps.

Kerry DiNardo (Site Supervisor)

I am from Havertown, PA and graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with a double major in Business Intelligence and Leadership, Ethics, and Organizational Sustainability. While there, I was very involved with the service programs, where I then completed two years of AmeriCorps service at Cristo Rey Boston High School. There, I worked in the Student Life Office — organizing the extracurricular program, planning school-wide events, and coaching basketball and softball.

I’ve been with Promise Corps for almost two years and split my time between Overbrook and Highschool Of the Future, supporting our members at each site, their students, and administration. Please let me know if we can do anything for you!

Here at Overbrook, we operate out of room 321. We welcome students who come with a pass and work to do. We closely monitor the room and ensure students are getting their work done. We also partner with specific teachers, going to several classes per day. Right now, we’re working on college trips to West Chester University and Penn State Berks, promoting our afterschool programming, completing the FAFSA with seniors, helping them begin their college applications. After School, we do SAT prep on Tuesdays and Thursday, and we partner with Education Works on wednesday for yoga and mediation. If you would like to partner, please let us know!

Rodney Babb

I am from west Philadelphia and have also lived in Reading, PA. I graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in criminal justice. While in college, I participated in the black student union. My favorite subjects while in high school were history and English.

I am serving this year with Promise Crops because I want to give back to my community to show them that anything is possible. After this year, I plan to enroll in a masters of social work program. Something interesting about me is I have never broken a bone.

My hobbies include reading, exercising, and cooking. My favorite book I’ve ever read is “The New Jim crow by Michelle Alexander.

Jessica Klein

I am from York, PA and have also liven in West Chester, PA. I graduated from West Chester University with a degree in Psychology. While in college, I participated in Greek life. I was a sister of Phi sigma for all four years. My favorite subjects while in high school were Psychology and American History.

I am serving this year with Promise Corps because I want to support youth in the Philadelphia community.  I serve as the team’s SAT prep /FAFSA coordinator and after school coordinator and am responsible for designing and developing SAT prep education as well as leading FAFSA completion. I am also responsible for working with partner programs and school staff ensure successful after school programming.  Starting on Mondays in November, the leadership and empowerment for girls program will meet every Monday starting November.

My hobbies include reading running & listening to music – music is therapy.  I’ve even been to Ireland 4 times.