BOARD of DIRECTORS
LILIANA PATINO, M.Ed – President
Director of Community Engagement, Eliot CHS
Mrs. Liliana Patino is a Colombian – American native who has served as the Director of the Eliot Family Resource Center since it opened in 2017, and Director of Community Engagement for Eliot Community Human Services. The Massachusetts Family Resource Centers (FRC), funded by the Department of Children and Families, are a statewide network of community-based providers. Eliot FRC offers Child Required Assistance (CRA) prevention, as well as multicultural parenting programs, support groups, early childhood services, information, community and family events, Youth support groups; as well as referrals and resources to families with children from birth to 18 years of age. Under Liliana’s leadership, the Eliot FRC reached over 6,000 families with these vital services last year. Her passion to work with families started when she was a preschool teacher where she discovered the need families had with everyday information, including child development, community resources, cultural- linguistic support and more. She continued her career working as a home visitor for the Melrose – Wakefield Healthy Families Program. For twelve years, Liliana supported first-time parents ages 24 and under from multiple towns, diverse cultural backgrounds, minority groups, and low-income communities to achieve their personal and parenting goals, in addition to achieving their personal education and professional goals. During this time, Liliana learned how multiple state and local agencies worked, she developed relationships with state and local leaders as well as with multiple community agencies, always seeking support for the families she was serving.
While working full time and taking care of her family in 2015 she completed her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in marriage and family at Cambridge College, the same year she joined Eliot Community Human Services as an outpatient therapist. Shortly thereafter she was promoted to Clinical Supervisor, serving one of the Everett Public Schools, and then promoted to Director at the Family Resource Center. Recently adding an additional position as Director of Community Engagement for Eliot CHS, she has an indispensable role in supporting the agency with the implementation of services with the Community Behavioral Health Centers model (CHBC).
Certificates – Awards
● ABCD Community Hero Award, Boston 2019
● Golden Shamrock Community Hero Award, Cambridge 2023
● Commonwealth Heroines Award, Boston 2023
● The Partnership. Inc. Fellow Alum 2021
● Mental Health First Aid Adult Trainer – English & Spanish, 2016
● Mental Health First Aid Youth Trainer, 2022
● Parenting in America Trainer Certification, Somerville 2018
● Nurturing Families Trainer Certification, Boston 2019
Board Member
❖ Governor Maura Healey’s Advisory Council on Latino Empowerment
❖ Advisory Council on New Americans at the Office of the Attorney General
❖ Chair member of The Joint Committee for Children’s Health Care in Everett
❖ Everett Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Program (CFCE)
❖ Medford Family Resource Center Network (CFCE) Advisory Council
❖ Homeless Education Program Services Coordination Committee for the Everett Public Schools
❖ North Suburban Child and Family Resource Network -NSFN/ CFCE
❖ Melrose – Wakefield Healthy Families Program, Children’s Trust
❖ Everett Affordable Housing Task Force
❖ 2022 CHA Regional Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)
Liliana truly believes in the importance of focusing on the cultural uniqueness of each individual. Her goal is to create supportive resources that fit the communities needs and challenges, allowing them to explore new opportunities and support so they can achieve their maximum potential.
AIESHA WASHINGTON – Treasurer
Deputy Director Legislative Affairs, ABCD Boston
Aiesha Washington is the Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. (ABCD). ABCD is one of twenty-three Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts, providing resources and assistance to over 100,000 households in Greater Boston each year with immigration services, fuel assistance, free tax preparation, clothing, and much more. In her work in Legislative Affairs, Aiesha implements ABCD’s advocacy efforts for anti-poverty legislation and policy at the federal, state, and local level. She also works to obtain government funding for ABCD programs and other resources for low and moderate income residents; responds to constituent referrals from elected officials; and maintains ABCD’s relationships with government officials. Aiesha is also active on ABCD’s behalf in a number of committees, coalitions, and advocacy groups. She has been with ABCD for over a decade and was introduced to the Joint Committee in 2015 when ABCD expanded its service area to include Everett, Medford and Malden. Aiesha spent five years as the Director of ABCD’s Mystic Valley Opportunity Center, the local site serving those three communities and partnered closely with the Joint Committee to support clients with their MassHealth applications before joining the Joint Committee’s Board of Directors in 2019.
Aiesha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Tulane University, a Master’s degree in International Relations from American University, and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Human Services Management from Suffolk University. Aiesha also holds partial accreditation from the U.S. Department of Justice as an immigration practitioner.
KAREN ANDREWS
Community Outreach Specialist, Hallmark Health Systems, Inc.
MARIE CASSIDY
Director Medford Family Network
Many people put family first, but as a Head Start director, public school teacher, and social worker, Marie Cassidy has done it professionally for nearly five decades. As director of the Medford Family Network (MFN) of the Medford Public Schools for 25 years, Cassidy has worked to build and bolster support systems for families of young children and establish relationships between community agencies.
“At the Medford Family Network, we are always looking for ways to connect families with each other, and with the resources they need,” she has said. Cassidy has created many of those resources herself, developing events and activities including free English classes, family summer concerts, evening and weekend play groups, and workshops for teen parents and grandparents raising young children—which she has personally headed.
Over the course of her career, Cassidy has proven her commitment to the five priorities of the MFN: parental resilience, social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete support in times of need, and children’s social and emotional development.
During her career, Cassidy has received many awards and recognitions. In 2018, she was recognized as a Community Hero by antipoverty community action agency ABCD (Action for Boston Community Development), whose mission is to help people transition from poverty to success. The award honors people who serve others, make a difference in people’s lives, show “uncommon compassion,” and “embody the heart of humanity,” according to ABCD. “Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for children and families,” ABCD said in a statement. Cassidy also received the 2018 Excellence in Public Service Award from the Medford Chamber of Commerce.
A well-known community leader and convener, Cassidy served as a member and officer of the antipoverty Tri-City Community Action Program and is the former chair and current member of the Medford Human Rights Commission, working to protect Medford residents’ civil rights, reinforce a positive community atmosphere, promote understanding, eliminate prejudice and intolerance, and mediate within the community. She has partnered with countless town government agencies and local nonprofits. Cassidy has also worked with a number of Tufts students through the Tisch Scholars Program, relying on them to hold family events and assist with day-to-day-operations.
A strong voice for children and families, Cassidy has spoken and written in many forums on issues including resources for children during the summer; parenting education; the importance of family centers; supporting and promoting childhood literacy; the difficulties of raising young children as an aging grandparent; the value of diversity in Medford; and the effect of the end of Temporary Protected Status on Haitian families. “I feel very lucky to touch the lives of people who I wouldn’t know otherwise,” she told the Medford Transcript in 2017.
Cassidy speaks eloquently about the rewards she finds in helping others. “I get to see families grow, and sometimes stumble, but pick themselves up and grow again,” she has said. “I get to be a part of that magic. And it is magic. There’s an ever-changing nature and excitement that comes with bringing voices to families and parents that don’t think they have a voice. Every day I am amazed by the strength people bring to their struggles. But I deeply believe that with authentic and sincere support, lives can be turned around for the better.”
Among her greatest joys, she has said, is time spent with and loving seven grandchildren.
ASHLEY M. CHELLO
Registered Nurse & JCCHCE Fundraising Committee
Ashley provides the perspective of being a healthcare provider and helps navigate within the healthcare system, along with planning fundraiser events and discussing methods to increase donations and participation from the community.
CATHY DRAINE
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, City of Everett, MA
Cathy Draine’s efforts in City Hall have focused on including more inclusive policies and procedures. She implemented a training to educate municipal employees about unconscious bias in the workplace. She also implemented a hotline for individuals to report concerns about illegal, unethical, or otherwise objectionable conduct or practices by city employees. Additionally, Draine helps ensure Everett’s compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requirements and reporting.
Draine also has created opportunities for municipal employees and members of the community to come together to learn and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diversity that exists in Everett. She implemented a “Lunch and Learn” program that brings employees together to discuss important topics including strengthening community through language access, how service providers can provide care with cultural competency, and how to create safe spaces for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
She also spearheaded Mayor DeMaria’s “Everett for Everyone” initiative by working with members of the community and community organizations to support cultural events and celebrations, including this year’s well-attended Nepal Day celebration in Glendale Park.
SABRINA FIRICANO
Director of Health and Human Services, City of Everett
STEPHANIE GRAY
Agent, New York Life
Stephanie Gray brings her vast experience as a business owner and non-profit Board member to this role as a member of the JCCCHCE Board of Directors.
Stephanie Gray has served on the MA Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Board of Directors since 2010 beginning her time as the MA PTA Communications Chairman and moving into the role of President Elect, President, Immediate Past President and Cranberry Unit President, currently serving as MA PTA Communications Chair. She currently serves on the National PTA Field Services Committee and has also served on the National PTA Bylaws Committee. She assumed the role of President in July of 2014. As part of her role with MA PTA she serves as the Liaison to MassPartners for Public Schools, the 2018-2019 Chair, a coalition of the statewide teacher, parent, school committee, principal, and superintendent organizations in Massachusetts.
After her mother-in-law passed in May of 2016 she realized that most families have no idea how to prepare for and handle loss, Stephanie put together her passion for helping people with her background in sales and marketing to become an agent through New York Life Insurance Company and may be licensed with various other independent unaffiliated insurance companies in the state of Massachusetts.
Previously she worked for SMH Electronics as the Business Development Manager in West Wareham, MA. Before that she owned her own company working with small businesses to develop their online presence.
Throughout her career in Marketing and as a Parent Advocate, Stephanie has done workshops and presentations on subjects ranging from Designing Routines for new parents to “Transitioning to EMR for the AHCA” for medical practices. She has also been part of a number of task-forces and panels with other educational organizations including the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Stephanie is passionate about the mission and goals of the JCCHCE and believes that it is our role as leaders to ensure the right of all people, children, families and individuals to have appropriate, affordable and quality health care and receive the necessary information about available options in order to make informed decisions.
KEVIN O’DONNELL
Mayor DeMaria’s Chief of Staff, City of Everett
Kevin O’Donnell is a graduate of Western New England College, where he secured a Bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement. He also holds a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College, a Law Degree from Massachusetts School of Law, and Certifications from Harvard University in Driving Government Performance Program and Boston University in Senior Level Management.
O’Donnell was hired by Mayor DeMaria in March 2015 as the Director of Human Resources. In November of 2015, he was elevated to the Mayor’s Chief of Staff. O’Donnell joined the City with over 25 years experience in Human Resources, administration, and organizational policies and procedures. Before coming to the City, he worked for Merrimack College, holding the title of ADA Academic & Community Liaison/ Compliance Officer.
O’Donnell was born and raised in Everett.
ELAINE SILVA, RN
Past President, JCCHCE
Former Director of Public Health, Everett, MA
JEANETTE VELEZ
Community Engagement Manager, Everett Public Schools
Jeanette Velez has a BA in general studies with a concentration in Human Services. For the past twenty years, she has dedicated herself to working with the most vulnerable and diverse populations of families, empowering them to become self-sufficient and serving as advocates for their children to succeed in their educational journey.
She was privileged to serve as the District 2 representative for the Chelsea School Committee in Chelsea, MA for twelve years. Currently, she is the Community & Family Engagement Manager for Everett Public Schools in Everett MA.
I am honored to have received the following recognitions:
- Division X – 2023 Massachusetts Association of School Committee All-State School Committee Award
- 2023 Honoree for Latinos For Education
- Scholar of The National Society of Leadership and Success
- Recipient of the 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Chelsea Spirit Award.
STAFF
Elvira Pinjic – Executive Director
Meet Elvira, JCCHCE’s Executive Director. Her experience in senior management in the not for profit, private and public sectors will enable the JCCHCE to expand services in a manner that maximizes resources and meets the growing need for community health care services.
MAUREEN BARSTOW- Database Manager
Maureen, who came to JCCHCE in February 2006, is responsible for tracking and reporting the number of clients who are assisted in applying for health insurance for the first time and when they need to renew their health insurance. She has 34 years of experience in education as a business and computer education teacher.
SANDRA MARTINS, R.N. – Certified Navigator
Sandra began work with the Joint Committee January 2010.She also works full-time as a nurse at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home. A native of Brazil and a U. S. citizen, she is tri-lingual in English, Spanish and Portuguese and she is learning to speak French.