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WEST ATCO Youth In Action, Inc.
ACHIEVING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE THROUGH MARTIAL ARTS
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Serving the Greater South Jersey Area Since 1990
DISCIPLINE + FOCUS + RESPECT = SUCCESS
EXECUTIVE BOARD
West Atco Youth In Action, Inc. is a volunteer based organization, lead by dedicated community members. These leaders invest their time, talent, and treasure into the youth of this organization.
Derek & Leza Davis
Executive Directors
As the Executive Directors of West Atco Youth in Action, Inc., Derek & Leza are responsible for the development of innovative educational and recreational activites and opportunities that provide an alternative path for young people instead of the negative influences and consequences of the streets.
Through their leadership, the organization has grown to be one of the premiere youth programs in the greater South New Jersey area. Under their direction, WAYIA was able to open the West Atco Youth in Action Learning and Resource Center in 2002. Derek and Leza, married for over 34 years, oversee the daily operations of the center.
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Throughout the years, the program has been a safe haven for the youth of South Jersey. A number of program participants have gone on to become black belts, engineers, pharmacists, business owners, as well as, good spouses and parents--which makes the Davis' most proud.
Laurie Covington
Board Member
Laurie was born and raised in Waterford Township, New Jersey. She is a graduate of Rutgers University, from which she holds a bachelor’s degree in Management. For the past twenty years, Laurie has worked for a local real estate development and investment company.
Her husband, Orlando Covington Jr., owns and operates Covington Funeral Home, located in Atco. They are blessed to be parents to son, Orlando III, who is an active member of West Atco Youth in Action.
Andreana Barefield
Board Member
Andreana was born and raised in South Jersey, but has lived in Philadelphia for the last 6 years. She completed her undergraduate degree in Spanish and East Asian Studies with a concentration in Japanese in 2015 at Rutgers University - New Brunswick, and then obtained her Masters in Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania in 2019. Today, Andreana works as a facilitator at Bread and Roses Community Fund - Philadelphia's largest funder for grassroots organizing. Andreana attributes her success at home and at school to the time spent at the youth center, and is excited to help usher in a new generation of martial artists - particularity the girls!
The Executive Board is comprised of everyday heroes that are leaders within our community. They are successful business people who understand the value of sowing into the lives of our youth.
Dina Alwan
Board President
Dina Alwan is a native of South Jersey. She is a graduate of Edgewood (now Winslow) Senior High School and Glassboro (now Rowan) University, where she completed her undergraduate degree in Biology.
Dina is an avid racquetball player having won numerous awards and recognition as one of the top female competitors in the region. She brings decades of executive experience from her leadership roles within the healthcare industry and service on various community committees.
Dina lives in West Deptford, NJ with her husband of over 30 years, Julani Ghana.
Toni Brock
Board Member
Toni is originally from Pittsburgh, PA but has called New Jersey her home for over15 years. She is currently a resident of Berlin Township. Toni is the Global Operations Director for Bristol-Myers Squibb and brings a wealth of operational and management experience to the board.
She is also a mentor to young women throughout the country and a motivational speaker. She is the founder of Journey, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women and girls. She is a graduate of St. Mary's of Notre Dame College in Indiana and holds an Executive MBA from Drexel University.
Robert Johnson
Board Member
Rob is a successful local entreprenuer. He is the owner and proprietor of Certified Appraisal Professionals, a full service residential appraisal company, operating throughout the tri-state area.
Rob is an advocate for Winslow Township and the residents of South Jersey, as he serves on a number of local boards and holds active membership in a number of organizations. He is involved in the business and development of the township and seeks to ensure equity and opportunity for all.
Rob is a graduate of Edgewood Regional Senior High School and currently resides in Berlin Township.