Our Team
Yvonne E. Jones, President
Yvonne E. Jones, President
Yvonne E. Jones, President
Owner of B.O.S.S. Enterprises, LLC and CEO of D.E.S.T.I.N.E.D. to Succeed, Inc., Yvonne was born and raised in the Hill section of New Haven, CT. She spent many years working in youth development and academia at the university level.
Yvonne has worked and gained a wealth of knowledge at a federally funded job training program for at-risk youth, programming for a national Girls organization, and in community development at public school districts in Connecticut.
In addition to her extensive experience, Yvonne is licensed by the State of Connecticut as a Notary Public, holds certifications in Leadership, Parent Advocacy, Credentialing in After School Education, and has a DCF Credentialing in Community Based Life Skills. Yvonne holds a BS in Human Services (Magna Cum Laude) from Springfield College, is married to Keith R. Jones, and they have three adult children.
Kimberly Gaskins
Yvonne E. Jones, President
Yvonne E. Jones, President
Founder of K. Gaskins Consulting, Kim received her MBA from American International College. Kim started working with small business owners in 2010. She has helped business owners manage the challenges of starting, maintaining or growing their businesses. Her unique approach allows her to design customized interactive programs for her clients which produce productivity, prosperity and a clear road-map to embracing their business' place in God's story.
After receiving her Bachelors in Elementary Education from Penn State University, she taught in Elementary Schools in North Carolina, New York and Connecticut. While she enjoyed teaching and shaping young minds, she knew there was more for her to do. After leaving the classroom, she began a career in Corporate America. Here she was able to put her love of learning to work in a variety of businesses. She worked at streamlining operations, negotiating and managing multi-million dollar contracts and obtaining invaluable skills she uses with her clients today.
Cassandra C. Lang
Yvonne E. Jones, President
Cassandra C. Lang
Cassandra’s professional experience as a manager includes more than twenty years of service at Southern Connecticut State University where she currently serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Undergraduate Admissions. As a member of the enrollment management team, Cassandra oversees the department budget and supervises the clerical operation of the department. Her professional service also encompasses her position as the President of AFSCME Local 478 Administrative Clerical Bargaining Unit representing over 400 state employees from Bridgeport to Meriden, CT.
Cassandra's community service resume is extensive and she holds several local, state, and regional leadership positions. Currently, she is the Vice-Governor of the Northeast District of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., and a member of the New Haven Democratic Town Committee.
Jacqueline Evans
Michael P. Jodon, Jr.
Cassandra C. Lang
Kiara Hayes
Michael P. Jodon, Jr.
Michael P. Jodon, Jr.
Learner, leader, and advocate, Kiara Hayes came to volunteer for DESTINED in 2015 for college credit.
Kiara is from Middlesex County and has been actively volunteering with children since she was in middle school. She has worked as an after school teacher, mentor, babysitter, and tutor. She most recently lived in Orlando, Florida where she completed service hours with AmeriCorps' City Year, earned a Presidential Service Award with her community outreach with Volunteer Florida's LeaderCorps, and acted as a Program Director/Curriculum Writer/ Kindergarten teacher. In her spare time, she loves to go hiking with her dog, Spartakiss.
Kiara believes in the whole school, whole community, whole child approach and it is implemented into her work. She believes that any person can excel as long as their human spirit is being nurtured as well as their mind.
Michael P. Jodon, Jr.
Michael P. Jodon, Jr.
Michael P. Jodon, Jr.
Michael Jodon always wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people.
He began his collegiate career at Southern Connecticut State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science. He combined his studies with his experience in agriculture and athletics to assist young people with life skills. He worked in Ansonia and Bridgeport Public Schools as an Instructional Aide and served as a tutor of high school dropouts in the City of New Haven.
His career has currently advanced as a 9th and 10th grade Math teacher at Capital Prep Harbor in Bridgeport, CT.