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Stefanie, or Stef, (she/they) aims to lead youth workshops that nurture creativity, celebrate culture, and build life skills and lifelong friendships as an after-school instructor. As a proud Panamanian-American artist and educator, she is passionate about the healing power of connecting to one’s roots and ancestral wisdom. Grounded in a decolonial approach, Stef believes that true healing occurs together: through relearning our shared histories, engaging in art, sharing laughter, enjoying meals, and spending time with Mother Nature. Her approach to education is guided by the belief that every young person deserves a space where they can express themselves authentically and make empowered choices. Outside of work, she finds joy in cooking warm, homemade meals and peace in activities such as painting, hiking, and swimming in the ocean. Stef dreams of a world where people, animals, and the land are free, and through her work, she plants seeds of that future.

Guillermo Caro (he/him) is a community worker with experience in support, outreach, and program coordination for marginalized communities. His background is in the addiction field, with an awareness of those experiencing substance use and homelessness. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Guillermo now lives in Philadelphia after receiving his degree in sociology and communications from Saint Joseph’s University. In addition to being the assistant instructor for the Semillas del Futuro, Guillermo is an interpreter for youth with disabilities and a Muay Thai fighter. He is very passionate about human rights, community, and family. Outside of NSNP, Guillermo trains and teaches kids’ classes at his Muay Thai gym in South Philly. Whenever he has time, he’ll jump on a plane to spend time with his family back on the Island.

Sky Deswert (they/she), like many others, was pushed by the onset of the pandemic to find ways of connecting with the world in safe ways. Sky worked as a grower, integrating knowledge from their experience growing food in college and learning amongst friends and the community to nurture two seasons of fruitful harvests. They now live by Wharton Square Park and volunteer as a leader of the Garden Committee to develop and maintain the native pollinator habitat there. Sky views engaging the community in public green space as a crucial mode of healing the pain seeded in Philadelphia. As part of NSNP, Skynurtures the land and the community together.

Toni-Anne McDonald (she/her) is a Temple University alumna with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a minor in Environmental Sustainability. Toni joined NSNP in 2021, working with the Raíces de Cambio youth and became the Semillas del Futuro Lead Instructor. She was promoted to Youth Program Director in 2025. She volunteers her time with BloodyBtches, a non-profit working to provide menstruators in the Black community with free hygiene products and educational resources. She is passionate about community support systems. You can find Toni chilling in a park with her friends or going out for dessert in her spare time. 

Evelyn Matos (she/her/ella) has been part of the Norris Square community since the 90s when her parents moved to the neighborhood from Puerto Rico. Before NSNP, she worked at Norris Square Civic Association for eight years as a preschool teacher while her two children attended NSNP’s youth programs, now program alums. Evelyn is a graduate of Ashford University with a bachelor’s in education. When Evelyn has a day to herself, she enjoys cooking, being with her grandson, and especially old-school salsa music. She describes herself as “LOUD,”; and her favorite thing about NSNP is that it allows her to be herself.