Meet Our Staff - Sunshine Prevention Center

Sunshine – Brightening the lives of children & families on Long Island
Leaders in the field of Substance Abuse & Violence Prevention for over 30 years. Sunshine is staffed with a wide array of professionals who each bring with them creativity, uniqueness, diversity, and compassion.

Dr. Carol Carter – C.P.P., CEO/Co-founder

It was, and is, Carol’s belief that prevention should be the first step in the war against drug and alcohol abuse for our children. Carol became a co-founder of Sunshine due to her personal experiences with the effects of alcohol and drug addiction on her family and to be an advocate for the children facing these problems. Carol completed her graduate work in October 1998 through Nova Southeastern University earning a Master’s of Science degree. In 2005 Carol earned her Doctorate of Education with her concentration in youth and family administration. Carol also received her degree as an alcoholism counselor in 1994. in 2000 Carol earned her C.P.P. Credential (Credentialed Prevention Professional) through OASAS (NYS Office of Alcohol & Substance Abuse Services). Carol handles all the administrative duties for Sunshine. She works directly with all staff to ensure that the Sunshine Philosophy and Mission are being followed. Carol continues to use her life experiences as her motivation for running Sunshine. Her goal is to provide hope and inspiration to others.

Email: [email protected]

Holly Colomba – Education Director

Holly is a NYS Certified Special Education Teacher with a concentration in Adolescents at Risk. She wears many hats at Sunshine. Holly is the Education Director for the Sunshine Alternative Education Program and is the liaison who works directly with each school district to assure that all the students are getting the academic support they need. Holly designs and plans all of the prevention-focused activities for the evening programs and the summer prevention programs. She also oversees some financial operations at Sunshine. Holly is a mother of two beautiful girls who, just like their mother, aspire to one day be leaders at Sunshine.

Email: [email protected]

Nancy Forestiero – Mental Health Director/Family Support

Nancy has been employed at Sunshine for more than 18 years. She is a drug and alcohol counselor and is involved in a variety of programs at Sunshine. Nancy performs outreach and facilitates many of the teen groups and parent support programs. Nancy also oversees the Mental Health Staff, college interns and department of labor staff. Nancy works closely with the families to advocate for them and to connect them with the services to meet their individual needs.

Beth Zanni – Academic Staff

I have been teaching Social Studies for 31 years, 20 years in a public school on Long Island and 3 years as an administrator. After a brief hiatus from the education world, I returned to teaching in 2016, at SAEC. This year I am completing my 8th year with Sunshine and am so proud of the work we do with students, tailoring learning to their specific needs and helping them create a pathway to get them to and through high school graduation.

Amber Ayala, LMSW — Program Director

Amber completed her BS in Criminal Justice at Briarcliff College and is currently enrolled in the Social Work program at Stony Brook University with her concentration in FYT – Family Youth transitioning to adulthood. She shares her experiences growing up at Sunshine in a variety of ways. She is a presenter in schools and agencies, networks with other agencies, and designs and plans the prevention activities for the evening programs. Amber also assists in creating the puppet programs and scripts for the summer prevention program, co-facilitates the evening support groups and summer prevention programs, and meets directly with families who are interested in Sunshine’s programs.

Email: [email protected]

Donny Forestiero – Program Coordinator/Teaching Assistant

Donny is Holly’s right-hand person and helps in the design and implementation of the Family Prevention Services and Summer Prevention Programs. Donny is a Program Assistant for the Alternative Education Program and oversees the students in their day-to-day activities.

Tabetha Swertfeger — Parent Facilitator

Tabetha holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Community and Human Services and is currently earning her master’s in mental health counseling from St. Bonaventure in western NY. She sought a position at Sunshine Prevention Center because she believes in the philosophy of helping families achieve their goals through solution based strategies. Working here has provided her with an extended family through the co-workers and the wonderful families she has the pleasure of working with. Tabetha has been married to her husband for 20 years and they have 2 teenage sons that they fiercely love. Their family also includes their 2 cats and dog. They moved to LI in 2019 after living in multiple states over the last 20 years, but Tabetha is originally a “jersey girl.”

Nicole Coccaro — Mental Health Assistant

“As for why I enjoy working at Sunshine, Sunshine provides a space for students to build their academic and social skills in a non-judgmental environment. I appreciate the focus on building positive helping relationships between students and staff. With the use of trauma informed instruction and restorative practices, Sunshine center aids students in developing skills that will serve them in the remainder of the school careers and beyond.”