At COPE Family Support, our practitioners embrace families by delivering the support, guidance and care they need. Their continued care and commitment is what guides families through the journey.

Feli Mercado

Feli Mercado is a skilled Practitioner and COPE’s Training Coordinator, bringing deep experience in parent education, emotional wellness, and family support. She is a bilingual instructor certified in both the Triple P Positive Parenting Program and Anger Management curricula. Feli also holds a Certified Life Coach (CLC) credential and provides personalized coaching to individuals, couples, and families. Her culturally responsive, strengths-based approach fosters meaningful growth and lasting change. Committed to building healthy and resilient lives, Feli leads workshops and group sessions that promote emotional well-being and positive relationships.

Martin Reese, Training Coordinator

Martin J. F. Reese is a dedicated practitioner, coach, and certified facilitator of Triple P and Supporting Father Involvement (SFI) at COPE since 2018. With a journey rooted in fatherhood advocacy since 1999, Martin has brought over two decades of experience mentoring fathers—including those impacted by incarceration—through trauma-informed, culturally responsive parenting education and reentry support. A recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Award in 2003, he continues to uplift families through and remains driven by a deep belief in every father’s potential to lead, heal, and thrive.

Sonia Arriola, Practitioner

Sonia Arriola is a bilingual Triple P Practitioner who has been a dedicated member of the COPE Family Support Center team for over eight years. Trained in multiple levels of the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, she brings a deep commitment to supporting families and strengthening communities. Sonia finds fulfillment in helping others, drawing inspiration from her roots, her family, and the opportunity to give back. Her work is grounded in gratitude, connection, and a passion for uplifting those around her.

Maria Esposito, Practitioner

Maria Esposito is a dedicated parent educator and coach specializing in the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program. She holds certifications in Levels 2 through 5, equipping her to support families at various stages of parenting. Maria is committed to helping parents build confidence, manage behavioral challenges, and strengthen family relationships through evidence-based strategies. Her approach is tailored to meet the unique needs of each family, fostering positive and lasting changes.

Sandro Trujillo, Practitioner

Sandro Trujillo, co-founder of RR Transitional Housing, was raised in Marin County and has dedicated his life to serving and empowering families. As a passionate practitioner and active community advocate, he is fully involved in mentoring youth, leading outreach efforts, and developing support programs for underserved communities. Sandro also serves as a practitioner at COPE Family Support, where he brings his deep commitment to healing and transformation.

Marjorie Lizzaraga, Practitioner

Giselle McNeil, Practitioner

Giselle McNeill is a seasoned parenting class facilitator with over 12 years of experience in training and family support. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, East Bay, and brings both professional expertise and the lived experience of raising four children. Giselle’s approach blends practical strategies with compassionate, real-life insight to help parents strengthen their relationships and create more positive home environments. Her work is grounded in empathy, connection, and a deep belief in the power of parenting with purpose.

Nicole Thigpen, Practitioner

Nicole Thigpen is a Parenting Education Practitioner and certified Anger Management facilitator with nearly 30 years of experience working with children and families. She is deeply committed to meeting families where they are and helping them explore the root causes of their challenges in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. With a strong focus on safety, empathy, and equity, Nicole delivers services with compassion and professionalism. Known for her natural connection with youth and families, she continuously seeks opportunities for growth to better inform, educate, and coach those she serves. Nicole believes that families are the true experts in their own lives and is dedicated to empowering them on their path to lasting positive change.

Marisa Moreno, Practitioner

Marisa Moreno is a Parenting Education Practitioner trained in multiple levels of the Triple P Positive Parenting Program. She is passionate about supporting parents as they explore new approaches to strengthen their relationships with their children and build more positive, effective parenting practices. Marisa values the mutual learning that takes place in her work and is deeply committed to the Triple P philosophy. She believes its flexible, multi-level system is a powerful tool for meeting the diverse needs of families and supporting children’s healthy development.

Dorothy Powell

Dr. Dorothy Powell is a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience serving families and communities through counseling, education, and advocacy. She has been an integral part of COPE Family Support Center since its founding in 2011, facilitating programs including Triple P, Supporting Father Involvement (SFI), anger management, and relationship seminars. Dr. Powell holds a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology and brings deep expertise as a certified mediator, domestic violence and anger management facilitator, and ACT trainer. Her career includes nearly three decades as a social worker with Children and Family Services, work with the juvenile court system, and teaching parenting classes at West County Detention Center. She is passionate about supporting underserved communities and continues to lead with compassion, commitment, and cultural responsiveness.