Leadership
Quincy Collins
President
I grew up in a loving and nurturing family on the south side of Houston and attended Houston Christian University. Because of HCU’s dual degree program, I selected Music Performance and Business Finance as my majors. During my tenure, I was assigned a mentor to help strengthen my spiritual and personal growth. He forever changed my life. My HCU years also led me to my devoted wife of 18 years. Shortly after we graduated together in 2005, I transitioned over to the telecommunications industry, and our family grew with the blessed additions of our bright children, Quincy II (age 13) and Sydney (age 9).
One of my most memorable childhood memories with my grandparents was feeding the homeless in downtown Houston during the cold winter months. Their homemade beef stew fed so many. I witnessed the true meaning of humanity.
Although my grandparents are no longer with us, their legacy of giving back lives on through me.
In 2013, a church member’s home caught on fire and destroyed everything. I scrambled desperately to collect donated items for the family, such as household items, clothing, and shelter. We also collected nearly $800 in donations, which was used to purchase additional grocery items and delivered them to her family. That was the turning point in my life: I chose to transform our blessings into an opportunity to give back to our communities and founded Families Helping Families in Houston.
It has evolved into something greater and more impactful than I could have ever imagined. And I am eternally thankful to all those who help make it happen year over year.
Nikki Collins
Nikki Collins is a lifelong Houstonian growing up in the Alief area. Nikki comes from a large, close-knit family and lives by the mantra of “Family First”. Nikki met her husband, Quincy, while they were both attending Houston Christian University. They first connected over their shared love of music and have been friends and partners ever since. Nikki is a proud and doting mom to Quincy II and Sydney.
Nikki currently serves as Associate Director, Human Capital Management at American Virtual Cloud Technologies, Inc. and is committed to maintaining professional partnerships and support to business leaders to drive business results. Nikki has a master’s degree in Strategic Business Management from the University of Houston, a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurial Management from Houston Christian University and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources.
Nikki is a board member and co-founder of Families Helping Families Houston and shares Quincy’s passion for and commitment to serving her community.
vice President
John Mathew
John Mathew has been a resident of Houston for the past 25 years and calls the North Houston area his home. He lives in the Tomball area with his wife Maria and twin girls, Sarah and Sabrina. John has Accounting, Finance, Procurement & Contracts Management experience within the manufacturing, distribution, and O&G industry. John leads and manages all aspects of finance and procurement for Families Helping Families.
John is also actively involved in his church and has previously been in the capacity of Treasurer and Secretary of St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, in Cypress. John understands that being a part of, and volunteering for Families Helping Families is a great way to give back to the communities in the Houston area. John says, “The foundation has helped me to fulfill my lifelong passion to serve and assist those in need.”
Finance
ira domnitz
Ira is an attorney practicing in the greater Houston area. He has been working with Families Helping Families since its infancy and he is delighted to see its exponential growth over the years.
Ira has worked with many nonprofit organizations throughout the years and believes giving back to the community is the ultimate action that people can do to help others who are not as fortunate.
"It is an honor to be on this Board, and involved with this initiative”
legal
amaina shaH
Family Registration
Alex Covick
A Houston transplant, Alex fell in love with nonprofits when he was only a teenager. Inspired by working as a lifeguard at a summer camp led by a nonprofit organization, Alex quickly developed a deep passion for charitable work. This resolve stuck with him throughout his career in technology. Over 20 years later, Alex provides support and leadership to our team and is happy spending his days helping to keep Houston an amazing place to live, one program at a time.
Alex supports all technology initiatives within Families Helping Families, as well as provides strategic and tactical execution to assist delivery of our mission. Alex has been a member of the organization since 2017.
team lead
IT/Groceries
I am a proud Houstonian, born and raised here and I continue to call Houston home. As a first generation Persian/Pakistani American, I am proud to say my parents migrated to the United States in 1973, earning their bachelor’s degrees, and Houston is where my father became a successful business owner for 40 years now. He shared his appreciation for the chance the Land of Opportunity provided him with my mom and us 3 children. Because of this, I find the need to give back to the community that gave life to my family.
I graduated high school from Westbury Christian School in 1999 and attended Houston Christian University until 2003. HBU where I met my dear friend and founder of Families Helping Families, Quincy Collins. Having had my daughter Alayna in 2007, I went on to be awarded the Dean’s List of Honor’s recipient when I graduated from Purdue University with a 3.86 GPA. My career path led me to success in business operations management in various industries, and I currently serve as a Project Manager.
Families Helping Families is one of the charitable organizations we have adopted into of our lives, and I am incredibly honored and humbled to be the Team Lead of Family Services. Having firsthand interactions with the receiving families, I feel and see the genuine gratitude, tears of joy, and utter relief they express, and it is truly priceless. Every second I spend with this organization is worth it. Giving back to struggling families fills our souls, and we will proudly serve our community with Families Helping Families. I thank the community for providing the life my family cherishes, and this is the least I can do to express our gratitude. I would not be here today if it was not for this community.
emile browne
Emile Browne is the Founder and Chief Visual Officer (CVO) of Emile C Browne Media (ECBM). In his capacity as CVO, he has grown ECBM from a photography only business to a Digital Media Agency focused on Strategy, Videography, Photography, Web Development, Social Media Management, and Graphics.
Prior to ECBM, Emile had increasingly responsible roles on corporate America in IT, Finance, and Accountancy. He is also a graduate of the University of Houston.
Emile is an award winning and collected photographer with 3 solo showings and two group shows. His photographs are a product of his extensive travels around the world.
Emile has also worked tirelessly with Family Helping Families from years past. He has used his professional skills to document the growth, camaraderie, and most importantly the help FHF has been able to provide at crucial times to families in need all over the Houston metropolitan area.
Team Lead
Historian
I grew up in the arts studying dance, theatre, drawing, and music, graduated high school early at 16, then went on to Texas Southern University. Shortly after, I started my corporate career in 2010, living in Dubai and Iraq for a couple of years working in the Oil & Gas industry.
After returning home, and reconnecting with my high school bestie of 15 years, we decided to break out of the friend zone and got married in 2014. His career took us to Nigeria for a while and we spent our down time traveling the world visiting Thailand, Vietnam, S. Africa, Tanzania, Hungary and several European destinations.
This is where I got my photography start, starting with street photography, then eventually portraits of friends and events in Lagos where we lived at the time. I definitely caught the photog bug and decided I wanted to do it on a full-time basis when we returned home to Texas.
We now live in Richmond, TX and I’ve been a full-time professional photographer since 2018. We have two children, Emerald (Emmie) & Jidenna (JJ), and Finn, our big dog who still thinks he’s a puppy. When I’m not working, we love spending time in nature exploring the State Parks and lounging on the beach.
My family has been involved with Families Helping Families for four years now, photographing as well as distributing meals to families in need. It has been my pleasure to help my neighbor Quincy continue to grow and serve more people in the community.
Amber
chike-udenze
Photography
david baird
I grew up in Houston and know firsthand how nutritional shortages can affect a family. In 2017, I had the wonderful experience volunteering for Families Helping Families food distribution and the event had a profound effect on me. The importance of volunteering and giving back to the community is vital to so many.
I’m a proud graduate of the University of Houston, Class of 2000. During the day I serve the community as a commercial lender helping business owners navigate the hefty landscape in the financial markets. Home life consists of a wonderful wife and three beautiful little girls. My goal working for this organization is to ensure no one goes hungry the week of Thanksgiving.