Emerson Centre Staff

Emerson Centre Staff
Rick Emerson	Rick Emerson is the President and Founder of Emerson Centre. He created Emerson Centre with the mission to provide services to at risk youth and their families. Rick currently serves as President of the Board of Directors and President of the non-profit corporation. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the State of Louisiana and a member of the National Association of Social Workers. More >>
Lincoln Parish Centre
SueWona Skains	Sue Wona Skains is the Lincoln Parish Clinical Director. Sue Wona is a seasoned social worker with many years experience of mission work, counseling and crisis intervention with children, teenagers, adults, and families. The experiences of her own life have increased her passion to help those in need. Sue Wona began her work at Emerson Centre as a volunteer assisting with a domestic violent men’s group at the Centre. She eventually became an intern at Emerson Centre in its early days of operation before joining the staff full-time. She obtained her social work degree from The University of Louisiana at Monroe and her master's at Grambling State University. While Sue Wona enjoys her work, she also enjoys time spent with her 3 daughters, going fishing, making stained glass, and working in her flowerbeds.
Kayla Deason	Kayla is an Adolescent Case Worker. Kayla uses her special counseling talents to encourage self-esteem with preteens and teens. She implements anger management and coping skills for her clients. While employed at Emerson Centre, Kayla has earned a Bachelor in Sociology and a Masters from Louisiana Tech University.
Ryan Christ	Ryan Christ is an Adolescent Case Worker. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from La Tech, and a Masters in Counseling and Guidance at LA Tech. Ryan has been on staff at Emerson Centre for almost a year and believes Emerson Centre has been a great way to gain experience in the field of social work and working with youths. Playing golf has always been a rewarding experience for Ryan; now it has become even more meaningful as he has been able to be a mentor and share his love of the game with youths of Emerson Centre.
KurtDeMars	Kurt DeMars is an Adolescent Case Worker. Kurt is the newest member of the Emerson Centre staff. He has wanted to help children in need for as long as he can remember. He is very pleased to be getting the opportunity to do so now. He has been tutoring students who needed help for years and continues to do so now at the Centre as part of our tutoring program. Kurt has spent the last four years as an equipment manager for the Louisiana Tech Football team. He received his Bachelors of Arts in Sociology with a minor in psychology from La Tech, and is currently pursuing his Masters in Counseling and Guidance at LA Tech
Bettye Dunn	Bettye Dunn is a Children's Case Worker. After many years of practice in the education system, Bettye works very well with people of all ages and diversities. Through many life experiences, Bettye has developed excellent people skills and management skills. Bettye has earned her Bachelor’s degree in General Studies and is earning her Master’s degree in Education.
Kourtney Giles	Kourtney Giles is the a Children's Case Worker. Kourtney has very strong interpersonal skills as well as good listening skills, which were only enhanced by her previous experience of working with children ages 4-12 at a daycare center. Kourtney loves children and nothing gives her more joy than seeing children happy. She feels that Emerson Centre has given her the opportunity to reach troubled youth and attempt to redirect them in the path they should go. Kourtney received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Grambling State University. She recently received her Master’s degree in Counseling from Louisiana Tech University.
Union Parish Centre
Henry Hamilton	Henry Hamilton is the Director for Union Parish. While Henry is extremely gifted with working with a vast array of clientele, he specializes in children and adolescents. Henry brings over 37 years of counseling experience to each session. He has received a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from LA Tech and a Master’s of Social Work from LSU.
Christy Miller	Christy Miller is a newcomer to Emerson Centre, but by no means a newcomer to working with children. For years, she has volunteered as a mentor for children, as well as raising her own two children. Christy has earned a degree in Sociology from Louisiana Tech University and is currently working on her master’s in social work from Grambling State University. Currently, she is a part time caseworker working with both children and adolescents at the Union Parish Center.
Interns
	Undergraduate Interns Nadia Oliney Fiona Noel Charler Robyn Foster Monica Ben Ineisha Robinson Brittaney Pemberton Victoria Garcia Graduate Interns Tristal Thrower-Islard Sharda Hall, Grambling Kenta Jackson, Grambling Sharla Harris, LA Tech Stephanie McGrath, LA Tech Lisa Rhein, LA Tech