Senior Casework Early Intervention Program - Alison Clentsmith is Senior Caseworker and although she works across all program areas, her focus is within the Youth and Family Program. This early intervention service provides direct practical and emotional support to young people and their families when problems at home get in the way of harmonious family relationships and could potentially lead to youth homelessness. In various settings during the past 15 years, Alison has gained a wide range of experience and training working with youth and families affected by homelessness, drugs and/or alcohol, complex mental health issues and disability. Alison has a Diploma in Youth Work, a Diploma in Child, Youth and Family Intervention, and is working to finalise her degree in Social Work by the end of 2012.

Caseworker Taldumande Youth Services -  Melissa Holmes has been a caseworker at Taldumande for two years. Melissa is from Sydney but lived in New York for five years, where she established a successful business in organic produce delivery. She is the mother of one and is currently studying Psychology.  She is passionate about advocating for disadvantaged young people.She is also passionate about Sydney’s cultural heritage and has published a book about The Rocks.

Caseworker Taldumande Youth Services - Ed Chan has worked in the welfare sector for the past 10 years. He holds an Associated Diploma in Community Welfare as well as a Bachelor of Science. He has been working with Taldumande for the last five years in the crisis refuge as a  housing caseworker and enjoys supporting young people through difficult periods of their lives.

Caseworker Taldumande Youth Services - Kathy Rodwas has successfully completed a Certificate IV in Youth  Work and is currently studying a Bachelor of Policing at the Univeristy of Western Sydney. Kathy has had the opportunity to work alongside a variety of government and non-govenment organisations in the community welfare sector and taken on various leadership roles. Kathy has a youthful drive and is dedicated to assisting in the lives of young people. Kathy has identified that all young people are the key to the future and helping them at this vulnerable time in their life to succeed is essential. 

Caseworker – Laura Waddell has recently relocated from Brisbane, Queensland, where she gained over six years experience working in the welfare field. Laura holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree with Honours from the University of Queensland. Throughout her degree, Laura worked as a disability worker, supporting vulnerable families and children in the community. For the past two years, Laura worked as a Child Safety Officer for the Department of Communities, where she worked primarily with young adolescents with complex needs. Laura plans to begin her Masters of Social Work at the University of Sydney in 2011.

Fundraising and Promotions Officer - Katrina Richardson - joined Taldumande in June 2009 on a part-time basis.  Her role has been to raise the organisation’s profile and revenue, via grants, donations and fundraising events, in the community.  Katrina holds a Bachelor of Business Degree from Sydney UTS and has had careers in the advertising industry and the fashion industry.  She has two teenage daughters and lives locally.  Her range of experience both professionally and personally provide the ideal background for her new career in the youth, not for profit industry.

Administration Officer - Marcia Atchison moved to  Australia from the UK  in 2006 and joined Taldumande as a volunteer in 2009 after reading about the organisation in a local newspaper. In August 2010 she took up a position as Administration Officer and is responsible for the day to day running of the office. She has a law degree and initially worked in this field in London. Marcia  has two daughters and lives in Mosman.