Youth Center Staff

John Hunter, Assistant Director
(he/him)

John was born in Madison and has lived here most of his life. He graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI in 2012. Before working for the Middleton Youth Center starting in 2015, John worked for one year at the Bridge Lake Point Waunona (BLW) Community Center on the south side of Madison as a PASS AmerCorps Member. John’s interests include playing and watching sports, fishing, reading, and playing video games.

Abby Leasman, UW Social Work Intern
(she/her)

Abby is from Mankato, Minnesota, and recently graduated from UW-La Crosse with a psychology degree. She is beginning to pursue her MSW degree at UW-Madison. Abby loves taking care of her many houseplants, traveling, playing with her two dogs, and eating all types of pasta. She is excited to spend time with the kids at MYC this year and help them grow into the best versions of themselves!

Andala Yakubu, UW Social Work Intern
(she/her)

Andala is an international student from Ghana, West Africa. She's a first year Master of Social Work student at the University of Wisconsin Madison and recently graduated from Michigan State University with Psychology and Women's & Gender Studies. Andala loves watching Netflix, traveling, cooking, and meeting new people. She's excited to bring in an international perspective to the kids' learning at the youth center and looks forward to sharing her experience with them.

Rebecca Hoesterey, UW Social Work Intern
(she/her)

Rebecca hails from Ocala, Florida, where the oranges, natural springs, and heat are plentiful year-round. She completed her B.S. in Health Education & Behavior from the University of Florida in spring of 2018. Upon graduation, Rebecca served for a year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps as a high school campus minister in Minneapolis. From there, she swung back to the east coast for two years to work in parish ministry and middle school teaching in Washington, DC, where the pursuit of social work came to a stronger realization. Rebecca is grateful for the opportunity to share her gifts with the MYC and to grow in knowledge of the skills and practices needed to foster relationships with students, families, and the community.

Jamila Akbar, High School Intern
(she/her)

Jamila is a junior at Middleton High School and graduated from the Middleton Youth Center in 2019. She is passionate about helping kids see the world as a better place and help them grow into the best version of themselves all along the way. Jamila loves to read, run, bake, and listen to all sorts of podcasts! She is excited to be running the Girls Inc. club at the MYC this year, as well as helping kids with their homework, playing sports with them, and getting to see them share the fun experiences she did! 

 Rekia Johnson, High School Intern
(she/her)

Rekia is a junior at Middleton High School and is a graduate of the Middleton Youth Center! This year she is helping to run sports programs, homework help, and Social Justice Club in the after school program. 

Annie Lawler, PASS AmeriCorps Member
(she/her)

Annie grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and vows to remain a loyal Iowan at heart no matter where she ends up. She attended the University of Northern Iowa where she studied nonprofit administration and youth development, graduating in 2020 with a B.A. in Leisure, Youth, and Human Services. Annie first found a spark for youth work as a volunteer camp counselor in high school and has since been drawn in by the unique joys and passions that youth bring to everyday life. She is excited for the opportunity to connect with the students at the Middleton Youth Center and encourage them to explore their passions and interests. In her free time you can find Annie buying flowers from the farmers market, crocheting cozy items, looking for pretty places to watch the sunrise, and exploring the outdoors.  

Andres Temozihui, Youth Center Assistant
(he/him)

Andres graduated from Verona Area High School in 2018 where he played varsity soccer for 4 years. He will graduate from Madison Area Technical College this upcoming May and will pursue his career in Fitness and Recreation Management. Outside of the Youth Center he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, exploring outdoors, and working out. Andres is passionate about helping kids and help them grow along the way.