Outreach Liaisons
About the Program
The pilot Outreach Liaison Program consists of people from diverse backgrounds and professions. Each brings different perspectives to help create a more informed transportation decision-making process.
The outreach liaisons help tailor our public outreach strategies to the specific needs of a project or study area’s ethnic or cultural groups. Liaisons may offer knowledge about cultural nuances, interface with community members on behalf of the agency, facilitate community meetings or events, and provide translation services, if needed.
The goal of this pilot program, now in its second year, is to engage residents more effectively in transportation planning, increase public understanding of our work, and ensure engagement is diverse and inclusive. Our 13-county region is one of most diverse areas in the country, with communities that represent many races, ethnicities, cultures, languages, identities, religions, and traditions.
The NJTPA is developing the pilot Outreach Liaison Program with support from the Public Outreach and Engagement Team at the Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University.
If you are a subregion interested in using the Outreach Liaisons for one of your NJTPA-funded projects, please contact Ted Ritter at [email protected].
Meet the Outreach Liaisons
Mervett Hefyan is a researcher who specializes in recruiting community-based organizations to participate in research studies and providing them with guidance and support throughout the process. She is also a member of the Port Authority Bus Terminal Advisory Council. Mervett holds a master's degree in urban planning from Hunter College. She’s often out walking, running, or riding buses around Hudson County.
Li Ching Jung is President and Founder of Cultural and Creative Exchange, an organization that aims to spread Eastern Asian culture through creative art shows, exhibitions, and performances. Jung is Honorary President of the Chinese American Cultural Association, Commissioner of Overseas Community Affairs Council ROC (Taiwan) Chapter and Former Chairman of the Taiwan Benevolent Association of NJ Charter.
La Trenda Ross has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to social/human services for almost three decades. Her experience includes advocacy, community engagement, outreach, marketing, and communications. She manages a program for the elderly and disabled population for the Department of Housing and Community Reintegration in Jersey City. Additionally, she is an Entrepreneur and Life Coach with Trending Into A New Life, LLC. She is also an active volunteer with several community organizations. These include being President of the Hudson County Community College Alumni Association and International Associate of Women. La Trenda is also a member Garden State Leaders and Chair of the Hudson County Food and Shelter Coalition. She also enjoys dancing and sight-seeing.
Sabrina Ross is an experienced Community Engagement Manager with Unified Vailsburg Services Organization in Newark. She has extensive experience in community engagement, outreach, marketing and communications. Ross is also an active volunteer with several community groups including the Vailsburg Garden Committee, Newark Community Street Team, and the Late Bloomer Project. She is also an avid cyclist.
John Sullivan is a project/place-based high school educator and curriculum writer who seeks to connect the importance of the built environment to equity, livability and community health. As former President and current Board Member of Bike and Walk Montclair, John has spent the last decade advocating for programs and policies that support bikeability and walkability and Complete Streets designs through community-led tactical projects. John is a certified community placemaker, a staunch advocate for authentically vibrant and creative public spaces and a firm believer in the importance of the "power of place."