Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors

Dr. Anna Maria Curry is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Social Work, and Tulane University where she earned a Doctorate of Social Work. She currently works as a School Social Worker for Brevard Public Schools, and has almost 10 years of experience in child and youth mental health. She was the recipient of the 2020 NASW Florida Social Worker of the Year for her work in Brevard County serving at-risk youth and their families. In addition to serving on the Board for Housing for Homeless, She currently serves as the Community Director for Junior League of the Space Coast, Inc. and is the President of the Delta Phi Epsilon Space Coast Alumnae Association. She has previously served as the Treasurer for the League of Women Voters of the Space Coast. Dr. Anna Maria Curry currently serves as the Board President and is committed to continuing to serve the Brevard community and tackling housing instability.

John Venice, Vice President

John moved to Brevard from his birthplace, The republic of Panama in 1957 and has been here ever since. Educated at Riverview Elementary in Titusville, then Titusville and Cocoa High Schools. John then attended what was then Brevard Junior College followed by a long career in the electronics repair business. Married with two children, and now retired, John continues to work in a number of small business ventures. John’s Board experience has been extensive with over 10 years on the Board of Central Brevard Sharing Center and has now been with the Board of HfH Supportive Housing for 20 years. John is really looking forward to the completion of our new Orchid Lakes development where we will be able to support a diverse population with affordable housing.

Eleanor Garriga, Secretary

Eleanor’s early education was in Broward County public schools with high school attendance at Pine Crest Preparatory School and Ft. Lauderdale High School after which she worked her way through college with graduation from Spalding College, Louisville, Ky. Eleanor taught elementary school for five years in the Archdiocese of Louisville before coming to live and teach in Brevard beginning at Titusville High School in 1973. Eleanor retired from the Brevard County School Board after a long teaching career at various Brevard middle and high schools. After retirement in 2000, she spent 15 years assisting her elderly relatives and her spouse through infirmities and their last months, and then as the executrix of their estates. Personal Philosophy: Personal choices made by displaced individuals and families sometimes leaves them homeless or unemployed due to circumstances often beyond their control. Support can be offered to engage that firmly encourages dignified movement toward improvement and self reliance.

Joya Kaye Hoffard, Director

Joya was born and raised in a farming community in North Dakota, but moved to Orlando for warmth and sunshine, where she attended Valencia College and the University of Central Florida (UCF), then worked in Interior Design & Retail Management while volunteering to feed the homeless. An auto accident in 2001 caused a move to Indian Harbor Beach where she obtained her Real Estate license and became a licensed real estate broker. Almost immediately,. Joya came to realize that finding affordable housing in Brevard was extremely challenging and she volunteered with Nana’s House , SPCA, and Salvation Army. In 2019, Joya joined the Board of HfH Supportive Housing and feels blessed to find a niche with an organization that truly helps families into housing.

Thomas Highsmith, Director

Thomas E. Highsmith is a graduate of Park University where he earned a Bachelor’s in Human Resource/Management, and Barry University where he earned two Master’s, one in a Art’s of Administration and the other in Public Administration. He currently works as a instructor of business at Eastern Florida State College and is also a REALTOR at EXIT 1st Class Realty. In addition to serving on the Board for Housing for Homeless, he currently serves as the Vice President of the board for the Verdi Eco School, Treasurer for the Space Coast Black Chamber of Commerce, and Co-Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Space Coast Association of Realtors. He also served over 25+ years in the United States Air Force, before retiring here on the Space Coast. Thomas E. Highsmith currently serves on the Board of Directors and is committed to continuing to serve the Brevard community and tackling housing instability.

Katie Ourand, Esq., Director

Katie Ourand, Esq. graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s in Gerontology and Stetson University College of Law with her Juris Doctor. Prior to law school, Katie worked as a Master Adjudicator for the Department of Health, Division of Disability Services, for almost 4 years. Upon graduating from law school, Katie went on to work for Community Legal Services where she worked at the HELPline serving the 12 Central Florida counties providing civil legal advice, and then with the Medical-Legal Partnership, advocating for patients of the West Volusia Hospital Authority to gain access to healthcare and stable income. Katie is an active member of the Junior League of the Space Coast, Inc. where she served as chair of Fueling Families and Kids in the Kitchen in 2022 and was the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award for the 2021-2022 league year for volunteerism in her community. She has also served on The Able Trust Gala Planning and Fundraising Board and as Public Relations Chair for the Stetson College of Law Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Student Section of the Florida Bar. Katie. is committed to serving her communities through her advocacy for access to healthcare and housing for all.

Jaime Rhude, Director

Jaime Rhude is a graduate of Ashford University with a Bachelor’s degree in HR Management and an Associate’s Degree in Healthcare Management. She currently works at Future Home Loans which is Veteran Owned and Operated as a Mortgage Broker in the Real Estate Industry and has over 10 years of banking experience. In addition to serving on the Board for Housing for Homeless, she currently serves as the Team Lead with Hiring our Heroes Chamber of Commerce, Executive Board Member with Military Affairs Council (MAC) with Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Treasurer with ABWA, American Business Women Association in the Space Coast. Lastly, she is a volunteer member for Community Service & BCNI (Brevard Children in Need) with the Space Coast Association of Realtors. Jaime is truly passionate about volunteering and giving back to our community in Brevard County especially with homelessness.

Ashley Stockrahm, Director

Ashley Stockrahm is a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator and
is currently the Branch Manager and VP of Sales for Gravity Home Loans located
in Palm Bay, FL. Ashley has over 14 years in the mortgage industry. She started
with saving homes from foreclosure with Modifications, to underwriting, sales
and originating. Assisting thousands of Brevard County Residents in their
journey to homeownership. Ashley is currently a member of Cocoa Beach Chamber
of Commerce and serves as an organizer for community events with local
businesses throughout Brevard County. As a member of the Board of Directors,
Ashley is committed to serving Brevard County and its residents and addressing
the many housing concerns within our community.

Christian J. Vargas

Christian J. Vargas is a graduate of Salve Regina University where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Business Administration (M.B.A) with a concentration in Entrepreneurship while playing for University’s baseball team. He currently works at Morgan Stanley as a Financial Advisor on The Carpenter Falconi Group, where his role is financial planning and client relation services. In addition to serving on the Board for Housing for Homeless, he currently serves as the Vice President of Association of the United States Army (AUSA), serving Veterans in Brevard County, and a member of the Military Affairs Council of the Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves, commanding a Drill Sergeant Unit in West Palm Beach. Christian J. Vargas currently serves on the Board of Directors and is committed to continuing to serve the Brevard community where he was born and raised.