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Hoops & Homework

About Our Team

Hoops and Homework is a safe and nurturing neighborhood-based after-school program which expands opportunities for youth in Framingham.

Our Hoops & Homework Team

All children in Framingham, regardless of income or neighborhood, will have the support and guidance they need to succeed in school and in life.

Kevin Lopez

Executive Director

I enjoy spending time with family and friends, coaching, playing softball, watching Boston sports. Driving or just hanging out, I'm happiest when I'm surrounded by good people and lots of laughs.

Hobbies: Reading, Listening to music, Watching documentaries

Hidden talent: Coming up with corny dad jokes

Favorites My Favorite team: Boston Red Sox, My Favorite Food: Pizza and Chuletas fritas, Arroz junto con gandules, hamburgers ( I should stop making myself hungry), Favorite music: R & B

Fun Fact: I'm one of 10 siblings

Dahiana Acevedo

Site Coordinator

Hi, I’m Dahiana Acevedo. I love working with kids and being someone they can look up to.

Hobbies: Spending time with my family, listening to music, and planning parties and events.

Hidden talent: I’m good at decorating parties.

Favorites: My favorite team is the New England Patriots, and my favorite food is rice with pigeon peas and pork shoulder.

Fun Fact: I enjoy road trips and visiting new places.

Brianna Batard-Pierre

Site Coordinator
I’m Brianna and I love to create fun, welcoming spaces where everyone feels included. I’m passionate about working with kids, building strong relationships, and bringing positive energy wherever I go. Outside of work, I love spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants, listening to music, and always looking for new experiences. I’m someone who loves to laugh, meet new people, and make the best out of every situation. Hobbies: Traveling and taking day trip Hidden talent: Writing Short Stories Favorites: Favorite Food Is Haitian Food Fun Fact: I love wearing mismatched socks!

Emerson Portillo

Site Supervisor

I’m 6 ft 2 in, and love to read.

Hobbies: Basketball

Hidden talent: I can add numbers without using my fingers

Favorites: Boston Celtics and bbq chicken pizza

Fun Fact: I am undefeated in the board game monopoly

Alex Maldonado

Special Projects Lead

I’m Alex, and I love to play basketball, I love Art, and I’m proud to be a father soon

Hobbies: Tattooing, Art, Traveling, and Photography

Hidden talent: Tattooing

Favorites: Boston Celtics, burgers and fries, Arroz con gandulees and Pernil, Cars, wild life

Fun Fact: I was born in Puerto Rico, Aibonito. I’ve turned some tough life experiences into motivation to help others and stay on a positive path, and even if someday I am not working at an afterschool program like Hoops&Homework I will be doing something else to try and help people in need.

Deyanira Cruz

Activity & Teen Program Lead

Hi! I’m Deya, I love to go on walks, traveling and go on spontaneous adventures 🙂

Hobbies: Going to the gym, badminton, and hanging out with friends.

Hidden talent: Humor

Favorites: Four cheese chicken pasta

Fun Fact: I love learning new languages.

Anayha Rivera

Activity Leader

I love calm days where everything flows and with nice snacks with me. I’m nice and calm and happy when it’s like that.

Hobbies: coloring, puzzles, baking, tanning

Hidden talent: my tongue can touch my nose

Favorites: Yankees, seafood, puzzles, beach

Fun Fact: i can nap for over 6 hours

Victoria Maldonado

Activity Leader

College student. Gym girl. Big heart. Big fan of traveling and shopping. Loves pink, good company, and making the most of every moment. 💕

Hobbies: Taking photos, Reading, and Self care

Hidden talent: My intuition

Favorites: Jesus, Music, Pink, Sushi, Pasta, Any Puerto Rican food, and learning new things.

Fun Fact: I’m studying criminal justice with a minor in forensics, so I find crime and investigations really interesting.

Makayla Sidney

Activity Leader

I’m Makayla and I love to go to the gymHobbies: Gym. Basketball. Marathon training.

Hidden talent: Don’t have any

Favorites: My favorite thing to do is travel.

Fun Fact: I’m graduating FSU next year.

Waldo Santos

Activity Leader

I’m Waldo and love to be active

Hobbies: Basketball playing videos games eating traveling

Hidden talent: None

Favorites: Patriots, junk food

Fun Fact: I’m nice at dominos

Sonia Cruzado

Activity Leader

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Kiarah Desouza

Activity Leader

I’m Kiarah and i love to cook new recipes!

Hobbies: Doing nails

Hidden talent: i’m a good baker

Favorites: My favorite food is sushi

Fun Fact: I love shih tzus

Jessica Diaz

Youth Mentor

I’m Jessica, and i love to pick up new hobbies.

Hobbies: Arts and crafts

Hidden talent: My intuition

Favorites: My favorite food is spaghetti and meatballs

Fun Fact: My fun fact is I can drink a whole energy drink and take a nap right after.

Crisaly Cupid

Youth Mentor

Hi! I'm Crisaly, and Hoops & Homework has been a part of my life for years. I actually started as a participant in the program, so I know firsthand the impact it can have on young people. Coming back as a staff member has been an incredible full-circle experience. I love giving back to the same program that helped shape me, building relationships with our youth, and creating a fun, supportive environment where everyone feels welcome. I'm proud to be part of the Hoops & Homework family and excited to help the next generation grow and succeed.

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Hannahlee Gonzalez-Lazaro

Youth Mentor

I’m Hannahlee, and I love to spend time with people I love the most.

Hobbies: Going for walks

Hidden talent: I can’t say

Favorites: My favorite food is my moms cooking

Fun Fact: I love to travel

Annika DeJesus

Teen Program Assistant

Hi! I'm Annika. I enjoy working with kids and creating a fun, positive environment where everyone feels welcome. I love getting to know our youth, helping them grow, and celebrating their successes—big or small. I'm grateful to be part of the Hoops & Homework team and look forward to making a difference every day.

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Serenity Rivera

Activity Assistant

I’m Serenity, and I’m student in high school, and love to express my creativity through different forms of art, whether it be hair, nails, or on paper

Hobbies: In my free time I draw, read, and do my own nails. I do others nails as well, and enjoy doing hair.

Hidden talent: I’m bilingual, speak English and some Spanish.

Favorites: The Hunger Games, Twilight, and fairy tales are some my favorites in movies, and some of my favorite books are We Were Liars, Shadow and Bone, and One of Us Is Lying.

Fun Fact: I’m currently in Cosmetology at my trade school.

Wendy Sundsted

Program Support

I am a people person and happiest when I'm with family, friends and students/staff at Hoops and Homework.

Hobbies:Hanging out and laughing with my friends. I've had the same best friend since the first week of college and we talk every day! I also love going to the beach, whether it's the ocean or a pond.

Hidden talent: I love to organize and decorate. I change furniture and decor locations every few months.

Favorites: Any Boston sports team, Babson and Syracuse soccer, Cape Cod and Caribbean beaches.

Fun Fact: I was lucky enough to grow up a few houses away from my grandparents and cousins. I am one of 4 children and we all still live in Massachusetts.