The Hoboken Girl Team 
Here in the Hoboken and Jersey City area, locals contribute to their neighborhoods in all kinds of ways, from raising funds to help cancer patients, teaching residents to fish off the local piers, or being purely being a business owner serving the community. Every month, The Hoboken Girl aims to highlight 10 individuals making a difference in their communities, and for May, we’re doing just that. Read on for a list of people to watch in Hoboken + Jersey City for May 2025.
Chelsie Scarafile | Geotechnical Engineer + Cancer Survivor
Photo Credit: Nicholas Osowski
Chelsie Scarafile is a geotechnical engineer affiliated with the NYC-based consulting firm, H+H, and a Union City BNR. Last year, Chelsie was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, and after undergoing chemotherapy, she is now in remission. During her treatment, she went on a trip for young adults with cancer, where she met another cancer survivor who introduced her to the Leukemia + Lymphoma Society’s Visionaries of the Year campaign, a 10-week fundraising challenge where candidates and their teams raise funds for different pillars of the LLS mission from February 20th to May 2nd. “When I learned what the Leukemia + Lymphoma Society (LLS) does for patients — even the smallest things like arranging clean, safe rides to treatment or offering financial support so loved ones can be there during chemotherapy — I knew I had to get involved,” Chelsie told The Hoboken Girl.
With a focus on patient support, Chelsie and her team of 15 formed the advocacy group, Crushing Cancer (Chelsie’s Version), and, with an original goal of $15,000, the team has raised over $30,000. The group has now set a new goal of $50,000. “My hope is to give back to the community that supported me, and to help ensure that others going through treatment have the resources they need, especially those who may not have been as fortunate as I was during my journey,” Chelsie told The Hoboken Girl.
Chelsie’s Local Favorite: Alfalfa
Keep up with Chelsie on her Instagram and Facebook, and learn more about Crushing Cancer (Chelsie’s Version) here.
Read More: Survivor Hoboken Recap: Meet the Finalists + First-Ever Winner
Billy Mensch | Founder of Hudson Sportsfishing
Billy Mensch, a financial analyst, Mile Square resident, and father of two, spent many years fishing with his late father around the Jersey Shore. Over the years, he’s also had the opportunity to fish in some of the world’s top destinations, including Cabo, Key West, and Costa Rica. Now, as the founder of Hudson Sportsfishing, Billy operates a fishing guide service off the piers in Hoboken. “Some of my best memories have been on the water, and I want to help others create those same experiences,” he told The Hoboken Girl. Focusing on striped bass, Billy helps his clients, who include young families, interpret the water’s flow and put their lines in just the right place. His small sportfishing enterprise is designed with knowledge of and consideration for the ecosystem in which it functions. “I want to make fishing accessible and enjoyable for everyone, whether they’re seasoned anglers or picking up a rod for the first time,” Billy said. “Beyond that, I hope to contribute to the local fishing community by promoting responsible fishing practices and inspiring the next generation of anglers.”
Keep up with Billy + Hudson Sportsfishing on the business’s website and Instagram.
Billy’s Local Favorites: Leo’s Grandevous, Antique Bar + Bakery, World Boxing Gym (Jersey City), + Alfalfa
Cheryl Gross | Artist + Professor
Photo Credit: Cheryl Gross
Cheryl Gross is a Jersey City-based illustrator, painter, writer, motion graphic artist, and professor at Pratt Institute. She also has the title of many accolades, including as the four-time recipient of the Eileen Kaminsky Family Foundation Residency in Jersey City. Her work has appeared in various films, TV shows, publications like the New York Times, and multiple corporate and museum collections, such as the Zebra Poetry Film Festival in Berlin, Riverside Museum in California, The Museum of The City of New York, Mississippi Museum of Art, Laforet Harajuku Museum in Tokyo, Japan, and many more. With her art and role as an educator, Cheryl hopes to inspire others to “look between the lines,” and teach her students to communicate and articulate their creative ideas, she shared with The Hoboken Girl.
Cheryl’s Local Favorite: The Grind
Keep up with Cheryl on her website, Instagram, and Facebook.
Brendan Van Deventer | Author
Photo Credit: Brendan Van Deventer
Brendan Van Deventer, a former resident of Hoboken, is the author of The Best Cure of All, a children’s book about “childhood curiosity, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between parents and their little ones,” as per Brendan’s website. Professionally, Brendan also leads a third-party asset management platform specializing in multi-family housing across the United States. “I never in a million years thought I would be an author of a children’s book, but here we are,” he told The Hoboken Girl. “I never thought I would start my own business after working my way up the corporate ladder in corporate America, NYC, but here we are again.” Brendan currently resides in Fair Haven with his wife, Caitlin, their dog, Cluny, and their two children, Rory and Bridie, who “inspire him to take risks and enjoy life’s adventures,” he said. Brendan hopes his book with help other families form happy memories together and remind them that love and courage go hand in hand.
Brendan’s Local Favorites: The Hive, Empire Coffee, Moran’s, Napoli’s, Alessio’s, + Church Square Park
Keep up with Brendan on his website and Instagram.
Tina Maneca | Artist
Photo Credit: Tina Maneca
Tina Maneca is a first-generation Luso-American of Portuguese descent who lives and works in Jersey City. She is a curator, arts organizer, and exhibiting artist focusing on sculpture and installation pieces inspired by her personal experiences. In 1983, Tina received a BFA in Textile Design from Parsons School of Design | The New School and is now continuing her education at Rhode Island School of Design + the School of Visual Arts in NYC. Through her art, she hopes to encourage fellow artists to “invest in themselves,” she told HG. “In 2009, I realized that I would most likely never be able to afford graduate school. I made a promise to myself that every year, I would invest $1,000 of my own money in curating at least one exhibition a year.” Now she curates multiple shows a year and one to two self-funded group exhibitions. Locals can see her work in private collections throughout the tri-state area, as well as in Portugal, Virginia, and New England.
Tina’s Local Favorites: Rizzo’s in the Heights, Riverview Fiske Park Farmers’ Market, + Skinner’s Loft
Keep up with Tina on her Instagram.
XXLTARIK | Musician
Photo Credit: @shotbysam.nj
XXLTARIK, a first-generation Moroccan-American artist based in North Bergen, first started his musical journey while living at home. In his mom’s basement, he created a home studio, a space that he calls a “creative escape” for himself and his friends. While music had always been his form of escape, rebellion, and therapy, he never set out to be an artist. His friends and family saw his musical potential before he did. “They pushed me to share my voice, and now there’s no turning back,” he told The Hoboken Girl. Influenced by icons like James Brown, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, and Prince, XXLTARIK writes and sings over atmospheric instrumentals, releasing tracks like “RUNAWAY,” “PLOTTIN,” and “BAD FRIENDS.” “My music is born from real experiences — late-night conversations, the psychology of attraction, the pulse of the club, and the lingering quiet moments that stay with you,” he shared with HG. XXLTARIK’s goal is to continue creating music “where [people] can lose themselves in.” “I want people to hear my music and feel like they belong—the one making the moves, setting the tone, owning their power.”
XXLTARIK’s Local Favorite: The Caves in Edgewater
Keep up with XXLTARIK on his website, Instagram, and TikTok.
Ian Crespi, Jacob Linder, + Zoe Magaletta | Students Behind H20boken
Photo Credit: Project H20boken
Ian Crespi, Jacob Linder, and Zoe Magaletta are the Hoboken High School students behind the project, H20boken, funded by the City of Hoboken Youth Climate Action Fund and advised by HHS Biology teacher Jean Lebegue. Established under the HHS Environmental Science Club, this program will allow Hoboken residents to sign up to receive free 16.6-inch by 7-inch by 6.8-inch outdoor container gardening kits. These will be available to locals mid-May. “We got this idea together for the 2021 # NJSTEM Communities Challenge project, and we presented it as a way of making Hoboken more resilient to storms (gardens collect water) and to generally increase local green space,” Zoe, Ian, and Jacob said. “Now, in 2025, we’ve been able to use a microgrant from the city of Hoboken and Bloomberg to purchase materials for nearly 250 kits, and we are ready to give them out.”
Read about Ian Crespi, Jacob Linder, and Zoe Magaletta’s initiative here.
Jalpa Mehta | Owner of DivineTouch Esthetics
Photo Credit: Jalpha Mehta
Jersey City resident Jalpa Mehta, wife, mother of two, and esthetician with almost 14 years of experience, is the owner of DivineTouch Esthetics, located at 191 Lefante Way, Suite 134, Bayonne. “My passion for this industry started when I was just 13,” Jalpha told The Hoboken Girl. Growing up in India, she used to make homemade honey wax and used cut-out old jeans as reusable wax strips. “That time, I never knew that one day I would be pursuing my career in this field.” After years of hard work, she opened her salon suite in Bayonne, where she provides services like threading, waxing, skincare treatments, and makeup. “I love what I do and I wouldn’t be able to get here without the support of my clients, my family, my friends, and the beautiful diversity of the community,” she said.
Jalpha’s Local Favorites: Loradella’s Pizza + Torico Ice Cream
Keep up with Jalpha on her website and Instagram.
Matt Carlson | Resident Behind the Hoboken Survivor-Inspired Contest
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Hoboken resident Matt Carlson fell in love with Survivor over 10 years ago and has applied for the show more than six times. Inspired by other Survivor-inspired games facilitated across the country, including in Maryland, Matt wanted to create his version here in Hoboken. Channeling the spirit of Jeff Probst, Matt hosted a week-long social competition this past March and early April. “Born from a passion for Survivor and a love of competition, Survivor Hoboken [was] designed to bring people together, challenge them, and create lasting friendships,” according to its website. The competition, which had over 250 applicants, included in-person and at-home challenges and elements of the show, like daily challenges and tribal councils. Through the contest, Matt and the 12 contestants also strived to support local Hoboken-based businesses by hosting challenges at House of Que’, River Street Garage, and Schmitty’s, where the Final Tribal Council was held.
Keep up with Matt and his community-based endeavors on Survivor Hoboken’s website and Instagram, and read about the crowned winner here.
See More: 5 New Jersey Locals to Watch
Chef Andrew Ifill | Owner of Carol Ann’s Table
In April 2025, resident Chef Andrew Ifill opened the restaurant Carol Ann’s Table at 333 Palisade Avenue in Jersey City. The cozy yet elevated BYOB establishment is dedicated to Chef Andrew’s grandmother. The menu, while small as the spot is still settling in, features dishes “crafted with love and care,” as per its Instagram bio, such as rib tips, wings, burgers, short rib ragu, and lava cake.
Keep up with Chef Andrew and his new eatery on Instagram.
