Meet the Community Service Team:

Erica Steen
Director, Morris Cafritz Center for Community Service
(202) 777-3255

Erica Steen grew up in St. Louis, MO where she began her life working in the Jewish Community at age 10 as a volunteer herself for a local Jewish day camp. Erica continued her work at Jewish camps during summers through her college years. She attended the University of Kansas where she received her degree in Human Development and Family Life. Following graduation Erica began work with Juvenile offenders working for the state of Missouri’s Department of Youth Services. In 1997 Erica went back to work in the Jewish Communal world and has since worked for B’nai B’rith Youth Organization as a City Director, Regional Director and Associate Program Director.She worked briefly for the Jewish Federation of St. Louis along with time in the St. Louis, Dayton, Cincinnati and now DC Jewish Community Centers. Erica has been here at the Washington DCJCC since August of 2006 and loves being the Director of the Community Service Department. 

Randy Bacon
Co-Director, Days of Service
Director, Behrend Builders 
(202) 777-3244

Randy Bacon grew up in New Orleans where he graduated from Tulane University with a BA in Media Arts.  Before moving to Washington DC, Randy lived in Atlanta, GA where he worked as Director of Facilities for the Howard School. He moved to Washington DCJCC in 2005 and took the position of Behrend Builders Director.  Under his direction the program has grown fom less than 10 build projects a year to as many as 10 projects a month while maintaining and growing the budget.

Laura Schapiro
Program Coordinator,Behrend Builders
(202)777-3245

Laura was born in Baltimore and grew up in Cincinnati.  She recently graduated from the University of Virginia where she studied Spanish and Public Health. Throughout college, Laura participated in weekly community service projects with her service fraternity and tutored Spanish-speaking migrant workers to improve their English skills. In September 2012, Laura joined AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, working at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center as the Behrend Builders and Community Service Coordinator.  She is excited to explore the intersection of community service, social justice, and Judaism within the DC community while repairing, renovating, and rebuilding low-income family housing, public schools, and other vital community spaces.