Mark D. Lounsbury joined Jericho Partnership in 2010 to lead a mentoring initiative for at-risk boys, formerly known as Pathways Danbury. Since then, he has held a variety of leadership roles within the organization, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how its ministries work together to serve the community.
As Executive Director, Mark’s strategic leadership has been pivotal in driving substantial growth and impact. Over the past three years, he has overseen a nearly 200% expansion in operational capacity, launched Jericho’s first extension site, and positioned the organization to deepen its impact across the Danbury community.
Mark brings over 30 years of proven success in leading nonprofit organizations toward greater efficiency and impact. He is skilled in all aspects of nonprofit leadership, including staff and volunteer management, donor development, program design and evaluation, grant writing, and public speaking.
A results-driven professional, Mark is committed to strengthening community relationships, streamlining service delivery, and building collaborative partnerships with local nonprofits to maximize impact.
Beyond his work with Jericho, Mark has ministered for more than three decades alongside his parents at Danbury Lighthouse Ministries, where he currently serves as Lead Pastor. He credits much of his leadership development to the influence and mentorship of his parents, Dr. Tom and Rev. Kathie Lounsbury.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Sociology from Western Connecticut State University and a Master of Divinity from The King’s University in Los Angeles, where he was a finalist for the esteemed Dr. Scott G. Bauer Memorial Award for academic excellence.
He and his wife, Sandra, reside in Southbury with their four children.
Patricia Alcon serves as the Executive Administrator at Jericho Partnership, where her organizational expertise and passion for community impact make her an indispensable part of our mission-driven team. With a keen eye for detail and a collaborative spirit, she provides critical support that helps amplify Jericho’s collective efforts to transform lives and empower communities.
Patricia excels at creating structure and clarity, enabling our staff and programs to operate with greater focus and effectiveness. She approaches every challenge with professionalism and warmth, fostering a work environment where teamwork thrives. Her ability to anticipate needs and streamline processes strengthens our entire organization, ensuring resources are directed toward where they can make the greatest difference.
While much of her work happens behind the scenes, Patricia’s contributions ripple outward—whether through improving internal coordination, supporting leadership initiatives, or helping teammates succeed. She embodies Jericho’s values of service and excellence, playing a key role in advancing our shared mission while uplifting those around her.
Clara Perkins has dedicated her life to empowering youth, serving as a guiding force in their personal and academic growth. As the Director of Mentoring at Jericho Partnership, she oversees the William G. & Kathie Beattie Mentoring Program, which unifies the former Pathways Danbury Boys Mentoring and Naomi Girls Mentoring initiatives. Through this program, Clara continues to shape young lives with her unwavering commitment to mentoring, guidance, and encouragement. Her passion for youth development began long before this role; she previously directed Jericho’s after-school tutoring program, SAY Yes!, where she served as a mentor, mother figure, and friend to countless students.
A pillar of her community, Clara has been an active member of New Hope Baptist Church for over 50 years, holding leadership roles such as Sunday School Superintendent, Youth Director, and Scholarship Committee Chair. She is also a founding member of the church’s annual HBCU College Tour, which has guided generations of students—including many from Jericho—on life-changing journeys to historically Black colleges and universities for over 20 years.
Beyond her work in mentoring, Clara’s professional experience includes 25 years at David & Geck, where she held roles in Quality Control, Manufacturing Coordination, and Production Planning. She has also served on the Head Start Advisory Board, contributed to the NAACP Youth Membership Committee, and was a dedicated member of the Ebony Club of Danbury, raising funds for student scholarships.
Above all, Clara’s heart has always been open—to family, friends, and even strangers in need. She considers it a blessing to have touched so many lives, and her legacy as a mentor, leader, and advocate continues to inspire.
Dotsy joined our staff full-time in 2018, having been hired to serve as CityServe Coordinator after working for five years as Director of the Summer Learning Program at our Spring Street Neighborhood Center. She was promoted to Manager on our youth team in 2019 and was named Director of Education in September 2020, and became the Senior Director of Education in 2024 after her tireless commitment and fine tuned expertise.
Before coming to Jericho, Dotsy was a teacher at Christian Life Academy for 12 years. She received a BS in Child Studies from Charter Oak State College. An active member of First Assembly of God in Brookfield (where she’s led various programs for children and girls), she has also volunteered independently in the area of childcare with YoungLives, providing childcare for the past six years. She’s married to Benny Torres, and they have five children.
Michelle first brought her gifts to our community in 2020 as a volunteer translator at Samaritan Health Center, where her tri-lingual abilities (honed through her upbringing as a U.S.-born, Brazil-raised professional) became instrumental in serving diverse families. When Jericho recognized the need for her unique skills, she joined our team part-time in 2021—balancing both roles seamlessly. By September 2022, what began as a part-time position grew into a full-time commitment as she became the operational foundation of Jericho.
Now, Michelle moves our mission forward through three key roles: she maintains systems that keep our programs running, builds relationships with vendors who amplify our work, and serves as the welcoming first contact for volunteers. But beyond these responsibilities, it’s her multicultural perspective and quiet dedication that truly strengthen Jericho’s ability to transform lives—proving that sometimes the most vital work happens behind the scenes.
Since joining Jericho in late 2022, Benny has brought both expertise and dedication to his role as Facilities Director. His seamless transition into the position came naturally – for years prior, he could often be found volunteering alongside former director Harry Pugner, learning the ins and outs of our buildings. Now, he uses that deep institutional knowledge to maintain our Maple Avenue and Spring Street locations with the same care Harry instilled in him.
Benny’s approach goes beyond basic maintenance. He treats our facilities with care and a smile, ensuring classrooms are ready for learning. His preventive maintenance mindset means small issues get addressed before they become problems, allowing programs to run without interruption.
What makes Benny invaluable is how he embodies Jericho’s spirit of service. Whether he’s making emergency repairs after hours or mentoring new volunteers in proper facility care, he works with bright excellence. Just as Harry once guided him, Benny now preserves these physical spaces so they can continue housing Jericho’s life-changing work for years to come.
With a deep passion for mentoring youth, Roxanna leverages her fluency in Spanish and English to connect with and empower middle and high school students from diverse backgrounds. She oversees programs that equip young people with the academic, personal, and spiritual tools needed to thrive. At the Maple Avenue Campus, she leads a team committed to fostering a supportive, Christ-centered environment where students are encouraged to reach their full potential—no matter their cultural or linguistic background.
Roxanna’s leadership reflects her unwavering dedication to building strong relationships, inspiring confidence, and instilling a sense of purpose in every student she serves. Whether communicating in English or Spanish, her work embodies Jericho Partnership’s mission to invest in the next generation and transform lives through the grace of Christ.
Demia Moore’s story with Jericho Partnership beautifully illustrates the power of our mission. What began as her freshman year in our After-School Learning Program has blossomed into an inspiring leadership journey. After discovering her passion for youth ministry through YoungLife, Demia returned in 2022 as a vital member of our Spring Street Campus team, where she now helps shape young lives under Dotsy’s guidance.
Her unique perspective – having grown through Jericho’s programs herself – informs every aspect of her work. Demia masterfully blends academic support with spiritual nurturing, creating an environment where elementary students flourish. The skills she refined during multiple summers as a high school camp counselor shine through as she connects with each child’s individual needs and learning style.
Today, Demia stands as living proof of Jericho’s impact. She doesn’t just teach lessons – she lives them, showing students how faith and education can transform lives. With the same compassion that once guided her own journey, she now lights the way for a new generation to discover their God-given potential.
As Jericho’s Education Programs Specialist, David combines innovation with compassion to create meaningful learning opportunities. He designs tailored curricula for all ages, from young readers to adult learners, focusing on practical skills that open doors to brighter futures. His data-informed approach ensures programs deliver real results while celebrating each student’s personal growth.
David’s strength lies in his ability to connect. Whether modifying lessons for a busy parent, mentoring a hesitant student, or partnering with local employers, he removes barriers to education. His office walls, covered in thank-you notes, reflect the lives he’s changed through his patient guidance and belief in every learner’s potential.
A natural educator and advocate, David doesn’t just teach – he inspires. By building bridges between challenges and solutions, he turns learning into empowerment and helps write success stories throughout our community.
Since joining Jericho in June 2022, Helen has transformed how we fight hunger in our city. She doesn’t just run our food programs – she brings them to life. Every week, she manages our busy food pantry, coordinates hundreds of Weekender Bags for local students, and makes sure kids in our after-school program get filling meals they enjoy. What started as basic services have grown under her care into food security programs that truly meet our community’s needs.
But here’s what really makes Helen special: she remembers that behind every meal is a person. She knows which pantry visitors prefer plantains over potatoes, which kids get excited about fresh apples, and how to make volunteers feel like family. You’ll often hear her singing while sorting donations or during busy distributions. Her secret? She doesn’t just hand out food – Helen builds relationships with the people she helps.
Helen’s magic is in the way she turns routine charity work into real human connection. She’s built a team that doesn’t just show up – they care deeply about the impact of their work and our mission.
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