Team Members
Nicole Hunter
Executive Director
nhunter@volunteersforyouth.orgNicole Hunter brings a passion for working with children and teens to all she does. Nicole started at Volunteers for Youth in 2004 as a mentoring coordinator, created VFY’s school-based life skills group, Every Girl Counts, and coordinated VFY’s community service program. After leaving Volunteers for Youth to work as a program manager at Goodwill Industries, Nicole returned in 2023 to take the reins as executive director. As a long-time member of the Orange County community, Nicole is excited to connect youth with transformative resources and opportunities and lead Volunteers for Youth into the future.
Ramiro Rios
Teen Court Program Manager
ramiro@volunteersforyouth.orgRamiro Rios serves as the Teen Court Program Manager, a role he began in July 2024. In this position, he coordinates Teen Court operations, works closely with youth participants and their families, and recruits and trains student volunteers who serve as jurors, attorneys, and clerks. His work focuses on creating a supportive and restorative environment where young people can take responsibility for their actions, repair harm, and move forward in a positive direction.
Ramiro earned his Bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he developed a strong interest in restorative justice and community-based approaches to conflict resolution. He is currently a Master of Public Administration (MPA) candidate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he is continuing to build skills in public leadership, nonprofit management, and local government.
Ramiro is passionate about working with young people and strengthening diversion programs that keep youth connected to their communities while providing meaningful opportunities for accountability, learning, and growth.
Melody Villavicencio-Guerrero
Program Specialist
melody@volunteersforyouth.orgMelody Villavicencio-Guerrero is a Program Specialist at Volunteers for Youth with more than 11 years of experience developing programs that empower young people with practical life skills and opportunities for growth. Originally from Colorado, Melody spent over a decade working in the health industry before focusing her career on youth development and community engagement.
A first-generation college graduate, she holds an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Behavioral Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science. Melody’s family story—rooted in Guatemalan immigrant heritage and her mother’s upbringing in an orphanage—has shaped her deep appreciation for opportunity and resilience.
Her work focuses on helping bridge gaps in traditional education by connecting youth to life skills education, financial literacy, career exploration, and career readiness opportunities. Melody is passionate about building strong community partnerships and creating programs that help young people recognize their potential and thrive.
Scott Dreyer
Director of Programs
scott@volunteersforyouth.orgScott Dreyer joined Volunteers for Youth in January of 2002 as a mentoring program coordinator and now serves as a coordinator in the community service program. Scott grew up in Chapel Hill and Pittsboro and moved back to the Triangle area after graduating from UNC-Pembroke in 2000. Scott appreciates that Volunteers for Youth provides opportunities to help keep youth on a positive track, as well as assisting those who may need help getting back on track. In addition to his other duties, Scott coordinates Volunteers for Youth’s annual golf tournament.
Mia Pini
Bilingual Teen Court Coordinator
mia@volunteersforyouth.orgMia Pini joined VFY in April 2025 as the Bilingual Teen Court Coordinator. Mia organizes and facilitates teen court sessions, supports participants in completing their sentences, recruits and trains volunteers to participate in teen court, and is the Spanish-speaking liason for the organization. Mia received her Bachelors in Psychology and Spanish Language and Literature and has been dedicated to supporting and guiding youth so that they can succeed in their path to adulthood. Mia especially appreciates the restorative model that VFY implements and works towards implementing an alternative to criminal justice that everyone can grow and benefit from.
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