Meet the Team

Matthew is a native of Hamden, Connecticut, a complete Greek and Roman history buff and a father of boy-girl twins. He has entered the home care industry wanting to bring a fresh approach to care in the home, supporting clients and their families by providing a high standard of quality care. His career includes over 20 years as a leading investment management consultant for high net worth investors with investment boutiques and major investment houses. He earned a JD-MBA concurrently from The University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University and has a BA from The University of Connecticut. While researching opening a personal care agency, Matthew discovered Homewatch CareGivers. Their decades of experience, industry knowledge, cutting-edge technology, and family-type culture are what set them apart in choosing to join their national team. “Their philosophy of caring and supporting the whole person instead of only their physical needs was a philosophy I was looking for,” he says. He was born in New Haven and lives in Hamden in the house he was raised in with his wife, daughter, and a rambunctious 5-year-old Pitt Bull mix named Fletcher. He plays guitar and is a big fan of live music.

Mary Ellen LeViness, Care Manager for Homewatch CareGivers of New Haven, has worked in the medical field for 30 years as a practice manager and medical assistant in health care centers, private medical practices, and home care agencies. She brings a wealth of experience to us on both a personal and professional level. Clients love that Mary Ellen can fully relate to their situation.

“I truly understand the needs of the elderly,” Mary Ellen said. “I personally cared for my mom in my home while she struggled with dementia. The compassion, comfort, and empathy I gave her brought me valuable insights into the needs of my clients.”

Mary Ellen is also a strong public advocate for the aging. “I am very proud to have co-founded the Central Connecticut Senior Network,” she says. It is a group made up of healthcare professionals, whose primary goal is to improve the lives of seniors through education. "We meet monthly for presentations and discussion about the issues facing seniors and their caregivers... from exercise therapy, diet, and nutrition to the latest advances in infection control and even fraud prevention. If it has to do with seniors, we cover it."

As a care manager, Mary Ellen strives to make the best fit between caregivers and clients for positive, empowering, and productive outcomes. “I pride myself on helping ordinary people achieve exceptional results in caring for seniors in our community. Home care is really where my heart sings,” she said. “I am always excited to help people figure out their care needs and find that perfect blend of services from our team.”

ME is a Connecticut Yankee, a veteran of the financial services industry, a professional artist and the mother of twins. She holds a BA from the University of Connecticut and is an accomplished writer. She held senior roles at NASA, Aetna Health Plans, Aetna Capital Management, Federated Investors, and PNC Brokerage. In 1997 ME had 11 hours of life-changing brain surgery and decided to pursue her passion as an artist at The Corcoran College of Art. Over the years, ME’s abstract paintings have found a following of collectors. She has shown in museums, galleries and Pottery Barn and William Sonoma Home sell reproductions of her work. ME had additional brain surgery and suffered strokes as a complication in 2017. She made a full recovery and returned to making art full time. She was born in Hartford, raised in Newington and lives in Hamden. She works from a professional art studio in New Haven. To view her art, visit: www.maryelizabethpeterson.com

A definite “people person” Shellie has over 15 years of experience helping people with complex medical, social, emotional, developmental and intellectual challenges meet their daily life goals. Shellie likes spending one-on-one time with people of all ages to come up with personalized, comprehensive care plans. “I like seeing people happy and living their best life,” she says. “Whether it is helping a senior who has been in the hospital to recover and return to their own lifestyle or setting up daily help with prescriptions, medications, food prep, eating well or exercising. I think in-home care makes all the difference for people.” In the past, Shellie has not only cared for the elderly and disabled but new mothers, children, Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, developmentally delayed and intellectually disabled individuals and many others who need assistance in order to remain in the comfort of their own homes. Shellie takes time to get to know people and hand-selects caring employees for each client. She lives in Meriden with her husband who is a veteran, her science and tech-loving son and an Italian mastiff and a boxer. She is also a music fanatic and loves going to live shows.

Dominique assists with staffing, scheduling, human resources and day-to-day administrative tasks in the office. She has worked in the care field for 8 years as a direct caregiver and behavioral health therapist for adults, children and people with special needs. Dominique studied Early Childhood Education at Naugatuck Valley Community Technical School, and has completed training for her PCA certification.

“I’ve met some very beautiful individuals in all shapes and sizes and with different abilities,” she says. “I am very proud to have been able to help others who can no longer do things for themselves. I may have even saved a few lives! At the very least, I made them feel loved and important and gave them a new friend.”

One of Dominique’s favorite quotes is the classic “treat others how you want to be treated.” She finds that when you give respect, you get it. She also thinks it is vitally important have sympathy and understanding for other people and their situations.

“Working at Homewatch CareGivers of New Haven, I’m learning not only how the company runs, but also about how we impact our clients, the types of life experiences people in our community are having, and important issues in this industry,” she said.

When she’s not at work, Dominique loves to crochet. “It’s my hobby and a business I have been working on for quite some time. I recently just started a LLC for it!” Stay tuned…