Staff
Cassandra Andersen
ATOD Prevention Specialist
Phone: 508-438-0515 ext. 25
E-mail: candersen@cmchc.org
Responsibilities:
Cassandra collaborates with many youth serving prevention programs and
community coalitions providing support, technical assistance, and training
to staff, youth and community members. She provides technical assistance
around needs assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of prevention
programs and community initiatives. In addition, she specializes in
accessing, collecting, and reporting community health data. Cassandra is the
staff liaison for and provides technical assistance to CHNA 6 and youth
prevention programs in the metro Worcester and southeast central region. She
coordinates the Central Mass Youth Advisory Group on youth tobacco issues
for MTCP and MYAT.
Cassandra also manages CMCHC’s Web site.
Biography:
Cassandra Andersen joined the staff of CMCHC in March 2005. She worked with
youth and young adults for ten years, in a variety of programs and settings
in Central MA, prior to joining CMCHC. Cassandra is an active member of her
community volunteering with many organizations including the Board of
Directors of Oak Hill CDC. She holds a BS in Environmental Policy and
Development from WPI.
Faye Fulone Sweeney
ATOD Resource Specialist
Phone: 508-438-0515 ext. 12
E-Mail: fsweeney@cmchc.org
Responsibilities:
Faye is responsible for increasing the use of the Resource Center by patrons
across the Central MA region, while also increasing partnerships with
agencies, programs and schools accessing services offered by the CMCHC. She
provides patrons with ongoing information on the collection through our
website and newsletters. She also supports the work of the other staff by
maintaining access to state of the art resources, data, and materials to
sustain their community-based work. Faye is the staff liaison for and
provides technical assistance to CHNA 5 and prevention programs in the
southwest central region.
Biography:
Faye has been a part of the CMCHC since its inception in 2002. She has a varied
professional history including public library work, community advocacy and
peer leadership program development and tobacco prevention. Faye works in
coordination with the American Cancer Society each year on the Relay For Life
of Southbridge and was an active member of the Southbridge School Committee
for six years.
Sean Harris
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Phone: 508-438-0515 ext. 11
E-mail: sharris@luk.org
Sean is CMCHC’s newest part time Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist. He has a degree in Human Services and is currently pursuing two additional degrees. Sean was born and raised in Worcester and has been working in this field for nearly fifteen years. Throughout the years Sean has worked for agencies such as The Worcester Youth Center, WCAC and Henry Lee Willis. Sean brings a passion to his work that drives him to learn as well as educate others. One of his favorite quotes is “I would like to learn everything I can, about everything I can.”
Joanna Lubkin
Administrative Assistant
Phone: 508-438-0515 ext. 10
E-mail: jlubkin@luk.org
Joanna is CMCHC’s new part time Administrative Assistant. She received her BA in Judaic Studies from Clark University in December, 2007 and is staying at Clark for her Masters in Public Administration. Originally from Nashua, NH, Joanna is still getting a feel for the Central Massachusetts towns. While Joanna has worked with nonprofit organizations for many years, she is relatively new to the field of public health and prevention strategies and is enjoying soaking up the new information.
José Rafael Rivera
Assistant Director
Phone: 508-438-0515 ext. 14
E-Mail: jrivera@cmchc.org
Responsibilities:
José provides consultation, technical assistance and trainings throughout
Central Massachusetts to increase awareness and understanding of underage
alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use and the advantages of environmental approaches
in reducing underage drinking and other substance abuse. In addition, he offers
consultation, technical assistance and trainings throughout the region to
develop the capacity of communities, coalitions and youth to partner in planning,
implementing and evaluating environmental approaches and other science-based
substance abuse prevention models. José is also responsible for the identification
and the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate curricula
to meet the needs of the communities served by CMCHC. José is the staff
liaison for and provides technical assistance to CHNA 9 and prevention
programs in the north central region.
Biography:
José transferred from the Center’s host agency, LUK, Inc., where he has been
employed since February 1981, to CMCHC at its onset in October 2002. From
1975 until his move to CMCHC, José had been a direct provider of substance
abuse counseling, intervention, evaluation, prevention, and education services
with youth, adults, families, and groups. In explaining the balance between
direct service and his current responsibilities, he often quotes Luis J. Rodriguez:
“It is not enough to prepare our children for the world; we must also prepare
the world for our children.” José has also presented at local, state, regional,
and national conferences on substance abuse, youth work, cultural awareness,
and GLBTQA advocacy.
Vicente Sanabria
Director
Phone: 508-438-0515 ext.15
E-Mail: vsanabria@cmchc.org
Responsibilities:
Vicente is responsible for the overall functioning of the center including
supervision of staff and projects, as well as working with local public health
and community leaders to promote healthier communities across the Central
MA region. He works with the Community Health Network Areas in Central MA
to build partnerships across health and community issues and promotes the
principles of healthy communities, positive youth development and environmental
strategies to prevent underage ATOD use.
Biography:
Vicente Sanabria holds an MS in Community Economic Development and has worked
in the field of community economic development for over 15 years as president
of Community Development Corporation, and as an employee of Neighborhood Reinvestment
Corporation, and is an experienced community organizer. Mr. Sanabria started
in the field of prevention in the early 1990s as a CSAP partnership director
in Lawrence, Massachusetts and has conducted coalition development for HUD
and DOL-funded sites in the south and in Massachusetts. In addition, Mr. Sanabria
was assistant director for a male residential AOD treatment facility in the
mid 1970's, as well as deputy director for a large mental health organization
in Massachusetts during the 1990s. Mr. Sanabria’s practical work experience
brings together treatment, prevention, and CED in a very unique manner.
Clara Savage
Common Pathways Coordinator
Phone: 508-438-0515 ext. 13
E-mail: csavage@luk.org
Responsibilities:
Common Pathways (CHNA 8) through an agreement with LUK, Inc. is located
within the office of CMCHC.
Clara is responsible for the overall coordination of Common
Pathways' projects. She functions as a liaison between Common Pathways
Leadership Council, sub-committees, and general membership. She coordinates
Common Pathways projects, meetings and events including the Community
Indicators Report, MassCONECT and other Common Pathways initiatives. Clara promotes
working relationships with a wide variety of community stakeholders.
Biography:
She has a Master and Doctoral degree from Harvard with a combined concentration
in Public Health and Education issues, and extended experience working with
diverse communities in the United States and abroad. She is a Worcester resident
and is involved in several local initiatives including the Worcester Weed and
Seed Project.
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© 2008 CMCHC. Website design and management by Cassandra Andersen.