Fellows
Madeleine Canlis: Madeleine is a recent graduate from the University of Washington, where she received her MSW (Master of Social Work). She spent the last two years working as a Community Advocate at a drop-in shelter in Seattle, providing case management to people experiencing homelessness, addiction, commercial sexual exploitation, and mental unhealth. She became the main Advocate for the Spanish-speaking immigrant population at the shelter, teaching ESL classes and supporting the needs of the immigrant community there.
Madeleine feels honored to be a part of the work ASCALA is doing to fight for the rights of the most vulnerable and looks forward to deepening connections with people in the community.
Rachel Nease: After graduating from Gonzaga University, Rachel was member of the 2017-2018 Arbolito Community. She served with the Hnas. Fanny and Gladys in Una Sola Fuerza in the mornings and at Manos Abiertos tutoring program in the afternoon. Upon returning to the US, she completed her MSW at U. of Denver and is currently a licensed clinical social worker and licensed addiction counselor. Most recently, Rachel served as a Clinical Supervisor at a medication-assisted therapy clinic which provides therapy and support for people struggling with substance use disorders.
Rachel is excited to work with Rostro de Cristo again in this new capacity. She is grateful for the opportunity to continue to learn from the incredible community partners at ASCALA in their mission of solidarity and furthering human rights.
Rachel will be supporting ASCALA’s Social Services by helping to develop a comprehensive intake and reporting system integrating the diverse ways that ASCALA serves its clients. In addition, Rachel will work with the ASCALA’s psychologist to expand the services they provide for positive mental health and spiritual development, especially for women.
Kieran Rigney: Kieran recently returned from serving two and a half years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa (Guinea). He and his twin brother were raised in Haiti, where their missionary parents served with Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH). In 2004, Kieran's family moved to the Dominican Republic to start NPH outside of San Pedro de Macorís. Kieran is a graduate of Northern Arizona University, where he majored in International Affairs and minored in Arabic and Italian. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, he developed and secured funding for several public health education initiatives serving rural communities.
Kieran is excited to begin working with Rostro de Cristo and partnering with ASCALA, deepening his connection to the Dominican people, especially the Haitian community within it. He looks forward to engaging with the community on a deeper level and building relationships through the faith-based mission of the organization, finding joy in serving and connecting with others through shared values of faith and compassion.
Kieran will be supporting the mission of ASCALA in various areas, especially helping to strengthen ASCALA’s public health initiatives by providing additional training for local health promoters and designing health education programs that address the community’s most pressing health concerns. In addition, Kieran will serve both ASCALA and Rostro de Cristo through the development of our Immersion Retreat Program for which he will serve as coordinator.
Steven Zichichi: Steven belonged to the Monte Sinai community of 2022-2023 with Rostro de Cristo after graduating from Westmont College in 2022. He spent six months in Guayaquil before moving to Quito to complete his year of service. While in Monte Sinai, he worked for the Salesian Refuerzo program. In Quito, he worked as a teacher and as part of the social work team at Centro Una Familia de Familias. Upon returning to the United States, he taught middle and high school humanities at St. Monica Catholic School on Mercer Island, WA. He led their mentor program and developed various programs for enriching students in both faith and knowledge. Aside from teaching, Steven worked for a campus ministry organization at the University of Washington to build up faithful Christians who work for justice, peace and goodness in their local communities.
Steven is excited to return to Latin America and work alongside his brothers and sisters in Christ at ASCALA and in the Dominican Republic. He is especially looking forward to encountering Christ in those he meets in and around Consuelo. He also hopes to build strong connections with those in his local community and is excited to learn from ASCALA about how to navigate the critical situation that both Haitians and Dominicans experience on Quisqueya. Steven is deeply enthusiastic to experience much faith, hope and love alongside his new neighbors in Consuelo.
Fellows who have previously served
Sami Scott: Sami is a Marquette graduate who worked in the banking industry for 10 years before joining Maryknoll Lay Missioner (MKLM) is 1996. With MKLM Sami has served in Venezuela, Cambodia and, most recently, Haiti. In March 2024 she suspended her ministry in Haiti and hopes to return when the situation improves. During her twenty-eight years in mission with Maryknoll, she has used her experience in business to help establish cooperatives and supported small businesses which serve the needs of marginalized communities. She has been given permission from her leadership to collaborate with Rostro de Cristo with the hope that in this time the conditions in Haiti will change and allow her to return to her ministry there.
I am excited to be partnering with ASCALA because they, like Maryknoll Lay Missioners, work with the most vulnerable. Haitians in the Dominican Republic are some of the most marginalized people in the Americas and they are very dear to my heart.
Sami will bring experience and technical skills to ASCALA’s programs that provide small business training and support, and community organizing efforts targeted at empowering women. In addition, Sami will add to the administrative and management capacity of ASCALA.
