Our Team.

Alannamae (aka Enai) is driven by a deep, personal commitment to supporting children of incarcerated parents. Having experienced the incarceration of her own parent since 2010, Alannamae understands firsthand the emotional and social challenges these children face. Through years of overcoming personal struggles with recovery, domestic violence, homelessness, and raising a daughter with an incarcerated parent, she has gained invaluable insight into the importance of faith, relationships, community, and resilience. Guided by a strong belief in offering hope and love to those in need, Alannamae is passionate about ensuring that these children know they are not alone and that their future can be filled with opportunity, support, and purpose. She currently facilitates youth peer support groups to children of incarcerated parents.

       My father was incarcerated when I was 11 years old. Along with that came a profound sense of loss that ignited confusion, anger and shame, that my siblings,and I still struggle to face even into adulthood.However, despite that hole in my heart, it also emboldens me to cultivate compassion and empathy for those who have experienced the same, because no matter how society deems my  father's character: no child should feel alone in that struggle of picking up the pieces their parents left behind—and burdened by the stigma that too often accompanies it. To me, being a peer mentor is about cultivating a safe space for young people and showing that their story is not their final chapter. 

My name is Natalie Orellana. I’m a Master of Social Work student at Herzing University with a background in military service, law enforcement, and crisis intervention. I served as a Deputy Sheriff with a focus on patrol, where I responded to mental health calls, domestic situations, and worked directly with vulnerable individuals and families in high-stress environments.

These experiences gave me a strong foundation in de-escalation, empathy, and building trust under pressure. They also showed me how critical early support and connection are for young people who may not always feel heard or safe. Having come from a difficult home environment myself, I understand how important it is for youth to have someone who sees them beyond their behavior and helps them feel valued.

I’m passionate about showing up consistently, listening with care, and helping youth and families access the tools they need to move forward. When I’m not working or studying, I enjoy traveling, avid coffee drinker (makes me happy), and being a mom to my son, he inspires a lot of the work I do.
I’m looking forward to learning and growing with this team while making a meaningful impact.

Hello, my name is Ray-Mya Hardeman, pronounced (Ray-my-Uhhh Hard-uh-man). I  was born and raised in Austin, Texas. I moved to Houston, Texas to complete my undergraduate education at the University of Houston where I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. I am currently also obtaining my master’s in social work from the University of Houston. 

Growing up I always enjoyed children and helping others. I went through the stages of wanting to be a pediatrician, an obgyn, a therapist, and ultimately a social worker. My knowledge about obtaining a degree in social work was very limited to what others around me thought about social work, which again was limited to Child Protective Services. The more I’ve learned, the more I’ve grown to love social work, and what it stands for.

My previous experience is limited to adults as I helped assess and counsel adults within an inpatient psychiatric setting. From that experience I met a wide range of people and it reestablished how important it is for us to get the help and support we need as children. My father was incarcerated from when I was 9 years of age to 15 and as a young woman it affected me a lot. I hope with this opportunity I can bridge the gap for children with incarcerated parents and also be living proof that your circumstances and upbringing don’t define you. 

My name is Shelia Garcia. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Social Work at the University of Houston. I’m excited to be interning here as part of my graduate journey.

I bring several years of experience working with unaccompanied minors, having served in various roles including case manager, lead case manager, program director, and now director of compliance. These experiences have strengthened my dedication to supporting youth facing complex and difficult life situations.

I have a particular passion for working with children of incarcerated parents. I believe strongly in the impact of early intervention, advocacy, and in creating spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and supported.

Outside of work and school, I’m a proud mom of two beautiful girls. I love spending time with my family and friends, and when I’m not with them, studying, or working, you’ll probably find me at the gym, running in the park, or trying out new coffee shops around the city.

I’m truly looking forward to growing through this experience and contributing to the important work being done here! 

Hello! My name is Allie Clark and I am currently attending the University of Houston pursuing my Master of Social Work degree. After graduating with a BA and BSW from the University of Northern Iowa, I moved back home to Houston and I am excited to work with the Enai Foundation! During my undergraduate career I was fortunate to co-facilitate a pilot program with Boys and Girls Club, implementing social-emotional learning curriculum across clubs in the Cedar Valley by providing 1-on-1 peer support and skill-building group sessions. Advocating for youth in need is a passion of mine, and the primary reason I chose to pursue social work. My dream is to work in mental health and empower others to become the best version of themselves.

Outside of classes you can often find me spending time with my brothers, going to concerts, thrifting, or doing arts and crafts. I'm excited for the opportunity to work with you and want you to know that you are valuable and worthy.