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our history

Anchor Point Collaborative was born from my own journey navigating mental health challenges as a young person. Despite my success as an athlete and student, I struggled with significant mental health challenges. Having walked that path, I understand the concepts of resilience and hope — not just as words, but as essential tools for survival and growth. I founded this company because I looked back and realized I deserved more support than I had growing up, and I made it my mission to ensure that no other young person has to struggle in the ways that I did. Anchor Point is the resource I wish I’d had: a safe, community-driven space where young adults are equipped with the 'internal compass' they need to navigate life's storms and find their way to a brighter, more stable future.

Erica Hunter, Co-Founder and CEO

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  • Co-Founder and CEO

    Erica Hunter has worked in human services for over 10 years in a number of milieus with children, adolescents and adults. Her experiences have led her to a passion for both direct care and program development. She has worked with organization’s including the Nike Basketball Camp, Girl’s Inc, Servicenet, The Carson Center for Human Services (now BHN), and Westover Jobs Corps.

    A former athlete herself, Erica’s approach is deeply rooted in the lessons she learned on the court. She has seen firsthand how team sports offer a unique setting for connection and resilience, where we can teach young people how to communicate under pressure, trust their peers, and find their footing after a setback.

    A graduate of Cornell University, Erica is currently preparing to pursue a Master’s of Social Work to further her clinical impact. As the founder of Anchor Point Collaborative, she combines her years of experience with a trauma-informed lens to ensure that every young person has the support system, resilience, and hope they need to thrive.

  • Co-Founder and CFO

    Ryan has worked in cybersecurity for over 12 years. He currently works as a Senior Information Security Analyst in New York. Part of his role includes providing trainings on protecting sensitive information and what to do when unauthorized disclosure occurs.

    Ryan obtained certifications from (ISC)², including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), a MS in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Security from Boston University in Boston, MA, and a BS in Computer Science from Siena College in Loudonville, NY.

    As CFO, Ryan will be using his expertise in strategic planning and compliance to facilitate impactful group programming for young people. He aligns fiscal discipline with the organization’s commitment to personal development and community building.

  • Co-Founder and Clinical Director

    Nina Slovik, LICSW has an MSW from the Smith College School for Social Work. She has over 30 years of experience working in a variety of settings including inpatient psychiatry, outpatient treatment, and other mental health service delivery systems.

    Currently, Nina works at the Westover Job Corps as a mental health consultant, and at the Center for Human Development (CHD) as a clinical supervisor. She has learned that fostering resiliency and connection are at the heart of positive therapeutic alliances. Having been trained in a psycho-dynamic tradition, she approaches her collaboration with clients from a trauma-informed, relational perspective.

  • Clinician

    Gia Catanzarite is a bilingual (English/ Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with over 20 years of experience providing mental health treatment in various settings in Western Massachusetts. She currently operates a small therapy practice integrating somatic tools with relational connection. Gia is passionate about empowering young women to reclaim their internal sense of safety, set healthy boundaries, and reconnect with the body’s innate wisdom.

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Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.

— Benjamin Franklin