Our Team

Shanita Leath, MS, Founder

Is a goal-oriented, optimistic, dedicated Psychotherapist who works with the at risk youth population. She has been providing mental and behavioral health services to youth throughout Philadelphia city for over 5 years and working in social services for 10 years. Shanita utilizes her clinical skills to empower the youth by helping them identify the change they would like to see in their lives through therapeutic workshops. Shanita firmly believes in utilizing the Strength based approach and trauma informed care model to ensure she promotes healthy growth across all settings (home, school and community). Cultivating the youth by planting meaningful seeds in them is the goal and key to creating a foundation.

Craig Johnson

He is resilient and dedicated to helping the youth stay away from the mistakes that he made as a teenager. At the age of 17 years old, Craig was arrested and sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison. Due to good behavior and positive changes Craig served the minimum time and came home in 2016. Craig demonstrated healthy growth as he became involved in his community by mentoring the youth. Craig is currently in his fourth year apprenticeship as a Union Carpenter. Craig's passion is to provide the youth with a positive example through teaching them skills and being an advocate.

Erin Marshall, MSS

Erin is dedicated to serving the youth of Philadelphia by helping them identify and progress in the directions that speak to them. She firmly believes in the value of trauma-informed care and holistic treatment during the process of identity development and healing. She hopes to utilize her skills to help empower youth, cultivate mutual aid and nurture critical thinking so children and families may more adeptly navigate the challenges they face while working together towards collective benefit.

Zarinah Wakkil, EMT, AAS

I am self-motivated, detail-oriented counselor & advocate with over 10-years-experience providing exceptional support, resources and mentorship via various communication channels. My plan within Developing Youth is to provide top level personal care that hopefully helps develop & maintain relationships to ensure loyalty & growth, while also resolving and addressing issues like self-esteem and personal trauma. With hard work, superb organization & communication skills combined with ensuring growth within the youth and community as a whole.

Janade Lee, MS

He has worked in social services for over 20+ years providing therapy and therapeutic support to individuals with behavioral health and intellectual disabilities. During his time Mr.J.Lee has demonstrated a commitment to give voice to and empower individuals and communities that have been historically marginalized. J.Lee continues to serve others providing clinical care across various settings from educational, clinical, community and criminal justice. J.Lee has developed and honed his skills to provide a level of care to meet individuals with complex needs. Lee understands the sense of urgency and social conditions that continue to perpetuate the endless cycle of complex trauma and its impact within the community. J.Lee promotes a "Do for self and others" mentality, using scientific methods, evidenced based practices, community activism, spirituality, and cross systems collaborations to change the status quo.

Tanya Boswell, RN-BSN, MPH

Tanya has worked over 20 years across many disciplines within finance, education, and healthcare. I have many hours volunteering, empowering, encouraging the young and old; employing individuals to recognize and unleash their potential. For the last 5 years I have been working with geriatrics and the adult population in behavioral health and drug and alcohol. I understand children’s health is public health. If a stage is set in childhood, our children can grow to be healthy adults. Many times, I see how our communities vary considerably in their commitment for our children’s health. As a public health professional my goal is to advocate, empower and gain resources to meet the needs of our children.