DREAM Foundation Presentation – Video
2018-07-11
Gloria Robles Applebaum | President
Gloria Robles Applebaum is the Director of Community Relations at the Law Offices of David M. Sperling, a leading immigration law firm on Long Island. Over the years, she has held various positions within the firm—including paralegal, public relations director, auditor, operations manager, and office administrator—gaining extensive knowledge of immigration services and helping strengthen the firm’s connection to the communities it serves. Originally from Peru, where she worked as a Public Accountant, Gloria immigrated to the United States and shifted her career toward media and advocacy. She worked as a reporter for a Long Island-based newspaper covering Latino community issues, an experience that sparked her deep commitment to civic engagement. Gloria has served in leadership roles with several nonprofit organizations and advisory councils focused on immigrant rights, education, and Latino advocacy. She is currently President of the Board of the DREAM Foundation, member of the Hispanic Task Force of the Town of Huntington, and a Board Member of Pronto of Long Island. A former volunteer at Hofstra University’s Radio Station, 88.7 FM, she co-created Alternativa Latina, a Spanish-language radio show. Gloria is also passionate about voice-over work and gardening—two creative outlets that reflect her dedication to communication and community growth.
Shirley Vargas | Vice-President
Shirley Vargas is an educator, community leader, business owner, and proud wife and mother of four accomplished young adults. She currently serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors of the Dream Foundation, Inc., and is a founding member of the Long Island Ecuadorian Latin American Chamber of Commerce (LIELACC). With over 20 years of experience supporting immigrant students and families, Dr. Vargas has held multiple roles in education and continues to champion equity and opportunity. She is the Regional Delegate for Long Island and Board Secretary for the New York State Association of Bilingual Education (NYSABE). A strong advocate for bilingual and multilingual education, Dr. Vargas is the NYS Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator in her school district and serves as a Grant Advisor for the Nassau Community College Science and Technology Entry Program (NCC-STEP). Her work spans professional development, family engagement, and college readiness for English Language Learners. Previously a member of the Town of Huntington Hispanic Task Force, Dr. Vargas remains deeply committed to community service. She believes that advocating for all learners creates limitless opportunities to transform education and uplift future generations
Carmen Kasper | Treasurer
Carmen Kasper has lived in the Town of Huntington for over 40 years. Carmen graduated from Federico Villarreal, National University-(Lima-Perú) with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, she went on to SUNY Old Westbury where she obtained a degree in Education. Carmen also attended Hofstra University where she earned a Master of Science in TESOL and then attended C. W. Post, Long Island University graduating with a School Administrator Supervisor/School District Administrator certificate. Carmen worked at the NYS Education Department as a Bilingual Resource Specialist- BETAC (Bilingual/ESL Technical Assistance Center) at Eastern Suffolk BOCES and at Western Suffolk BOCES. While at Western Suffolk BOCES, she was a member of the Executive Committee to set up and establish the Evening High School and served as the Regional Summer School Coordinator. Carmen joined the Huntington Union Free School District on 2000 where she served as the Director of World Languages, English as a Second Language and Bilingual Programs. She implemented the Dual Language Program in 2002 and AP classes for all four World Languages taught, including Latin, which she implemented during her tenure in the district. After retiring from the Huntington Union Free School District, Carmen was a Professor at Dowling College and Hofstra University where she taught TESOL and Spanish courses. In 2018, Carmen became Director of Human Services for the Town of Huntington, overseeing divisions including Minority Affairs, Veterans Affairs, Seniors, Women’s Services, Persons with Disabilities, and the Human Services Institute. Her goal was to have all the members of the different divisions communicating and cooperating with each other to better serve the needs of the Town of Huntington constituents. After retiring from the Town in 2023, Carmen spends a lot more time with family, traveling, exercising, and volunteering. She has two sons and five grandchildren that keep her happily occupied. She now serves as the Chairperson of the Huntington Hispanic Advisory Task Force and as the Treasurer of the Dream Foundation.
Chartrisse A. Adlam | Member
Chartrisse A. Adlam, Esq. is the Senior Partner at the Law Offices of David M. Sperling, a leading Long Island law firm specializing in Immigration Law. With over 25 years of experience, she is highly regarded for her work in both Immigration and Family Law. Ms. Adlam began her legal career through the prestigious Attorney General’s Honors Program with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. She later served as a Senior Assistant Chief Counsel with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (ICE) in New York City, where she litigated high-profile deportation and removal cases. Before entering the legal field, she was a certified social worker in New York, serving children and families in the Family Court system. After 11 years in federal service, she opened her own firm, representing immigrants—especially women and children affected by violence and abuse—and handling sensitive family law matters. Ms. Adlam is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Federal Bar Association, and several women’s bar associations. She is also a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Long Island Chapter, where she advocates for equity and empowerment. A 2023 Power Woman of Long Island awardee, she remains deeply committed to legal excellence and community service.
Shermelee Carrasco | Member
Shermelee Carrasco Martinez arrived in the U.S. from Lima, Peru in 1989, overcoming the challenges of being both a woman and an immigrant. She began working as a babysitter while attending Harbor Fields High School, earning her American diploma after having graduated in Peru at just 16. In 1996, she joined a Ceramic Injection Molding company in Bohemia, NY, becoming its youngest Latina female lead supervisor, paving the way for other women in leadership roles. In 2000, Shermelee became Plant Office Manager for a small quartz company that would grow into the multimillion-dollar brand Silestone by Cosentino. During the 2007 financial crisis, she co-founded Ultimate Stonework NY LLC, a successful granite and cabinetry business, with her husband. She later transitioned into real estate, founding The Sherca Team, and earning recognition as one of the top Latina six-figure agents in the NY Metro area. Her leadership earned her roles on the boards of the Peruvian American Chamber of Commerce and The Dream Foundation. In 2024, Shermelee founded PACCA – The Peruvian American Chamber of Commerce Alliance, her proudest achievement. She continues to empower small businesses and immigrant youth, leading with perseverance, vision, and deep community commitment.
Dr. Jorge Gardyn | Member
Born in Havana, Cuba, Dr. Jorge Gardyn came to the United States as a child. Dr. Gardyn has devoted his life to serving others, both professionally as a physician dedicating his career to the wellbeing of our first responders, and a personal devotion to making higher education more accessible and available, as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Nassau Community College. His outreach to Long Island’s Hispanic Community as it relates to making college education accessible, is why he got involved with the Dream Foundation. A graduate of Hofstra University, Dr. Gardyn received his Doctorate in Medicine from The Autonomous University of Guadalajara. He completed his Residency Training in Internal Medicine at Nassau County Medical Center. As a Board-Certified Internist specializing in Occupational and Adult Medicine, and with a background that includes Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, he has been involved with the Fire and EMS service in New York for over 30 years. Dr. Gardyn is the former Division Chief of Occupational and Corporate Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, New York where his responsibilities included overseeing the OSHA physicals for members of the Nassau County Police Department, Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office, Department of Public Works and other government agencies in Nassau County. He has been the Medical Director for the Nassau County Fire Service Academy and the Nassau County EMS Academy since 2002 as well as the former Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Francis X. Pendl Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center. Dr. Gardyn resides in Garden City with his wife Karen.
Joseph C. Savaglio | Member
Joseph C. Savaglio brings over three decades of executive leadership, public service, and law enforcement expertise to his board engagements. He currently serves as Director of the Suffolk County Park Police, where he leads all operations, strategic planning, and personnel management for a County-wide law enforcement Agency. His career spans senior leadership roles in municipal public safety, real estate operations, and nonprofit governance. Previously, Joseph held the role of Deputy Director of Public Safety for the Town of Huntington, overseeing law enforcement, code enforcement, park security, and emergency response coordination. His private sector leadership includes serving as President and Operations Manager of RECS, Inc., and as Vice President of Samson Management, where he managed large-scale real estate portfolios and compliance initiatives nationwide. Joseph’s commitment to community service is evident in his roles as a former Harborfields School Board Trustee, EMT-B and ex-Captain with the Huntington Community First Aid Squad, and as a Board member and officer of multiple charitable and professional organizations. He has also served on the Board of Governors of Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, contributing to healthcare governance and strategic planning. An accomplished police instructor, Joseph holds more than 40 specialized certifications in public safety, crisis intervention, firearms, and emergency response. He is a certified peace officer, EMT, real estate broker, and appraiser in New York and Florida. Joseph is also fluent in Spanish and German. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Long Island University and an M.S. in Criminal Justice from Molloy University.
George Siberon | Member
George Siberón is the executive director of the Hempstead Hispanic Civic Association, Inc., a not-for-profit, community-based organization that has been providing services to the residents of Hempstead and surrounding communities for more than 35 years. Mr. Siberon is responsible for ensuring that services provided by HHCA (English as a second language, after-school tutoring, summer camp, affordable housing and tenant advocacy) are provided in a professional, culturally sensitive manner. With over 40 years of administrative experience, he has also worked as executive director for the Nassau County youth board, district manager for Rep. Nydia Velazquez, deputy director for programs and acting executive director for Aspira of New York, and psychiatric social worker for the Puerto Rican Family Institute. Mr. Siberon has a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University, and a master’s in public administration from Baruch College, where he graduated with honors. He is also a graduate of the prestigious National Urban Fellows Program and is a member of Phi Alpha Alpha, the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.
Beneficiaries are full-time students who are NOT Legal Permanent Residents or U.S. Citizens, including “Dreamers” who have work authorization through the DACA program.
1391 New York Ave. Suite 202.
Huntington Station, NY 11746.