STAFF

Gabrielle Hinahara, Director

Gabrielle has directed the Middleton Youth Center since it’s reopening in 2014. She loves working with middle school students and finds this work very fulfilling. In particular, Gabrielle enjoys building relationships with the Youth Center’s students and families, supporting the staff and interns, and finding new ways to grow and improve the program. Gabrielle grew up in Middleton and went to college at UW-Madison. She studied environmental studies and Spanish and began working with young people through outdoor education and sustainable agriculture. Outside of her time at the Youth Center, she loves riding her bike, dancing, gardening, travelling, and spending time with the 12 housemates, friends, and kids that live in her co-op house.

John Hunter, Assistant Director

John was born in Madison and has lived here most of his life. He graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI in 2012. Before working for the Middleton Youth Center starting in 2015, John worked for one year at the Bridge Lake Point Waunona (BLW) Community Center on the south side of Madison as a PASS AmerCorps Member. John’s interests include playing and watching sports, fishing, reading, and playing video games.

Danielle Moore, Youth Worker

Danielle is super excited to be working at the Middleton Youth Center! In 2016-2017, Danielle served as one of the Youth Center’s PASS AmeriCorps members, tutoring students in Literacy at Kromrey, helping supervise the homework room, and leading activities like photography and hip hop dance. Since then, Danielle has worked part-time as the Youth Center’s Youth Worker and this summer is once again serving as a PASS AmeriCorps member. Danielle is a student at UW-Madison and is working on getting a degree in Elementary Education with a Math/Science Minor. During her free time, Danielle enjoys running, hanging out with friends, and sometimes being lazy and watching Netflix. She has also recently developed a passion for exploring different cultures!

Connor Hobart, PASS AmeriCorps Member

Connor is from Palmyra, WI (a small town about 60 miles southeast of Middleton). After graduating high school in 2014, he attended UW-Stout and studied Applied Social Science. Connor is new to the Madison area, currently living in Monona with his girlfriend and their cat. He’s extremely excited to be serving full-time at MYC! In his free time Connor enjoys listening to music, being active outdoors, gardening, reading, cooking, and spending time with loved ones. Connor leads Boys Group at the Youth Center, in addition to several other mini-courses.

Maddy Carroll, UW School of Social Work Intern

Maddy has had a variety of experiences working with youth in afterschool programs and in mentoring settings. Maddy grew up in Wauwatosa, WI with her parents and younger brother. She has two campus jobs at UW. She works for Residence Life as an RA in the dorms, and she is a facilitator for Adventure Learning Programs, an organization that puts on teambuilding workshops using ground activities and high and low ropes course challenges to foster community. In her free time, Maddy enjoys any outdoor activities, particularly walking, running, camping, hiking, and swimming. She also enjoys spending time with friends, eating ice cream, watching Netflix, and listening to music. Maddy leads Social Justice Club at the Youth Center.

Besa Asani, UW School of Social Work Intern

My name is Besa Asani and I am a current senior social work student studying at UW-Madison. I have hopes on intending graduate school in the next year to one day become a school social worker. I am from Madison, and one of my favorite things to do is attend the farmers market on Saturday mornings. My hobbies include; listening to music, traveling, and gardening! My friends would describe me as; friendly, a good listener, open-minded and easy-going. Besa leads Girls Inc. at the Youth Center. 

Akshita Pattnaik, High School Intern

Akshita was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan and moved to Middleton when she was 5. She is now in 11th grade at Middleton High School! She is super excited to be working at the Youth Center for a second year. She always loves to meet new people and learn new things! In her free time, Akshita is often playing tennis, laughing with her friends, or playing one of the many instruments she plays. When she’s not doing any of those things, you can find her listening to music or watching her favorite shows on Netflix. Akshita’s parents were both born in India so she loves to celebrate and show off her culture! Akshita helps to lead Girl Scouts at the Youth Center.

Rachel Belter, UW School of Social Work Intern (Masters)

Rachel is joining us as an intern through May of 2020. Rachel has a long history of service in Dane County. She spent two years as a PASS AmeriCorp member working with middle school girls. She spent two years working on Allied Drive at the MSCR Safe Haven in after school and summer programming. She currently works for Rise, Inc. as a home visitor doing  play based programming with preschool age children and their caregivers. She also works in the Respite Center at Rise, Inc which provides care for families lacking large support systems. Rachel loves doing art with anyone, feel free to ask her to draw with you. Rachel has four dogs and one human child. Rachel is an extrovert and enjoys talking.