Executive Director

Adriana Ojeda-Joslyn oversees the strategic and operational functions of the organization, ensuring the successful execution of its mission. She is deeply committed to fostering resident-driven leadership as a pathway to equity and social justice, believing that an empowered community is essential for sustainable change. With over 20 years of experience working with diverse populations in Worcester and surrounding areas, Adriana has provided critical support in immigration, housing, and shelter services. Most recently, she has served as an educator and advocate for sexual and reproductive health.

As a mother of three children with special needs, Adriana has firsthand insight into the unique challenges and resources available to Worcester residents. Having grown up in the Pleasant Street neighborhood, she has witnessed its evolution—both the struggles and the strengths—which have fueled her passion for community work and advocacy. She is dedicated to highlighting the many assets of the Pleasant Street neighborhood that are often overlooked, including its cultural food markets, safe play spaces, and community centers.

Through her lived experiences and deep knowledge of local networks and resources, Adriana is committed to educating and empowering residents to amplify their voices and leverage their collective power. Her work focuses on driving positive, healing change within the neighborhood, ensuring that its strengths are recognized, preserved, and expanded for future generations.

Board President

Max has served on the board for the past four years and has been an educator in Worcester Public Schools for the past decade. As a history teacher at University Park Campus School, he is deeply committed to culturally responsive teaching, recognizing the importance of making education relevant, engaging, and empowering for all students. Through his work, he integrates the arts, music, and hip-hop into his curriculum, using them as powerful tools to connect with students, foster critical thinking, and make historical narratives more accessible and meaningful.

Max believes that hip-hop and the arts are not just creative outlets but essential components of education that cultivate identity, self-expression, and a deeper understanding of the world. His passion for this work extends beyond the classroom, fueling his dedication to exploring innovative ways to bring hip-hop pedagogy into community spaces. He is particularly interested in leveraging the center’s initiatives to provide young people with platforms for artistic and intellectual expression, ensuring they see themselves reflected in their education and the world around them. Max envisions meaningful collaborations with local nonprofits, educators, and artists who share his mission of using the arts as a catalyst for learning and social change. Through these partnerships, he hopes to expand opportunities for youth to engage with history, storytelling, and creative expression in ways that empower them to find their voices and become agents of change.

Beyond his professional work, in his free time, he enjoys staying active through exercise and playing basketball, recognizing the value of movement in fostering both physical and mental well-being. A proud sports fan, he remains loyal to his favorite New York teams, often finding inspiration in the resilience, teamwork, and dedication that define the game, values he strives to instill in his students and his work.

Vice President

Treasurer

Since joining the Pleasant Street Neighborhood Network Center Board of Directors in October 2023, Jeury has been dedicated to supporting the center's mission and fostering a stronger, more connected community. In December 2024, he stepped into the role of Treasurer, where he oversees financial responsibilities and contribute to the organization's continued growth and success. Jeury is passionate about identifying and providing opportunities for the marginalized youth in the area and is committed to ensuring the center’s resources are used effectively to benefit all those we serve.

Growing up in the main south area of Worcester, Jeury witnessed firsthand the lack of opportunities available for inner city youth and families. Jeury, a graduate of Worcester State with a Business Administration and Spanish degree, has had a long case management career and now works as the Special Project Manager for the Division of Youth Opportunities. Jeury is dedicated to uplifting his community and working with others to break down barriers.

Juan is more than a mentor, he is a pillar of his community, a builder of opportunities, and a relentless advocate for those voices that are often overlooked. Juan describes himself as a proud Boricua born and raised on Austin Street, he carries the spirit of the PSNNC neighborhood in everything he does. From his work at the Boys & Girls Club, where he helped shape young minds, to creating a culinary program for autistic youth that empowered them with creativity and independence, Juan has always believed in the power of hands-on learning.

At the local Training Resources of America, Juan took his passion even further, working with young people from marginalized communities to provide them with the tools, training, and confidence needed to step into their futures. He knows firsthand the struggles of his community, but more importantly, he sees its strength.

Juan doesn’t just work with people, he builds bridges, he lifts others up, and he creates networks of support where none existed before. As Juan stated, “I love working with people and creating networks of support for communities in need.”