Community is what we are all about. Fostering relationships. Connecting. Sharing. Backgrounds and hierarchy melt away. We are all one. Moving toward a common goal. Mutual respect for all.
Haley House carries the philosophy of personalism from its Catholic Worker roots, compelling us to take personal responsibility for individuals in need. People in and around the community resist violence and injustice by taking direct action and promoting justice and peace through their own life choices. Hospitality is key to the community’s way of life. We share friendship, space, and material goods that we have received through the generosity of others.
Reginald Jean
What is your role at Haley House?
Executive Director
Alexander Bezek
What is your role at Haley House?
Operations Director
What brought you to Haley House?
The opportunity to serve others!
What is your favorite food?
Chicken (jerked or fried)
What is your favorite downtime activity?
Reading or lifting weights.
What has been your favorite Haley House moment?
Volunteering in the Soup Kitchen.
What does “food with purpose” mean to you?
It means the opportunity to utilize food to build relationships and grow community.
Bing Broderick
What is your role at Haley House?
Former Executive Director
What brought you to Haley House?
“We were just sitting around talking…” (old Catholic Worker saying). I received emails from three different people about a job opening at a new non-profit café opening in Dudley Square. I met with Didi a few times and then had a 2-hour interview with Kathe McKenna and Kathleen O’Connor. The conversation hasn’t stopped since.
Favorite down time activity?
Gardening, chopping wood, baking bread.
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
On a hot summer night in a packed café during Art is Life itself, Mel King read from his poem/book “Streets” with memories of his youth and the things in his neighborhood that were of support to him. He then passed the mic to the next person, and he recounted his own youth support network, and by the end of the night, the mic had made its way all around the room. It was a Haley House moment.
Bridget Duffy
What is your role at Haley House?
Development and Outreach Manager
Favorite down time activity?
I love to read, crochet, and try new hikes!
What has been your favorite Haley House moment?
Every morning I’m in the Soup Kitchen is my favorite!
David Hirschberg (he/him)
What is your role at Haley House?
Director of Development
What brought you to Haley House?
Volunteering in the Soup Kitchen
What is your favorite food?
Pizza
What is your favorite downtime activity?
Walking, biking, listening to music and audiobooks
What does “food with purpose” mean to you?
Everyone needs food to survive and community to thrive. Food with purpose is about working together to meet both of these needs.
Juliana Soltys (she/her)
What is your role at Haley House?
Volunteer and Soup Kitchen Operations Manager
What brought you to Haley House?
Volunteering in the Soup Kitchen and Take Back the Kitchen programs
Favorite down time activity?
Hiking, reading, gardening, and hanging out with my dog!
Favorite food?
A home cooked meal
Kathe McKenna
What is your role at Haley House?
I have been at Haley House since before it was Haley House!
What brought you to Haley House?
I accepted John McKenna’s offer to join him in renting an apartment on skid row (now the South End) to offer hospitality to men wandering the streets in 1966. Alcoholism was considered a moral lapse and work or religion was offered as the antidote. Developing relationships that introduce me to the hidden treasures in others keeps me coming back.
Favorite down time activity?
Taking time for meditation retreats—although it only looks like it’s a ‘downtime’ activity.
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
Too, too many to mention over 45 years. Certainly one of the most tragic was receiving the news of John Leary’s sudden death at age 24 shortly after his graduation with honors from Harvard College. Healing took place as he was “waked” at Haley House where he shared his room and his life with so many in need. Some built his casket, some cooked and cleaned, some welcomed the hundreds who came to say farewell, and we all held each other in our grief.
Mark Fortes (he/him)
What is your role at Haley House?
Resident Manager
What brought you to Haley House?
The Soup Kitchen
What’s your favorite food?
Asian food
What’s your favorite downtime activity?
Playing my Bass Guitar
What has been your favorite Haley House moment?
When Boston City workers during the Pandemic were coming to eat my Monday Breakfast and couldn’t believe the food was delicious and Free! free!
What does food with purpose mean to you?
Providing a necessity for those in need regardless of any different social or economic background.
Nouradine Sheck (he/him)
What is your role at Haley House?
Urban Agriculture Coordinator
What brought you to Haley House?
Passion for the impact green spaces have on quality of life
What’s your favorite food?
Rice with peanut stew
What’s your favorite downtime activity?
Exercising
What has been your favorite Haley House moment?
Being at the Soup Kitchen for the Block Party felt so joyful
What does food with purpose mean to you?
It speaks to how our fundamental needs offer so much potential to create a sense of collectiveness that leads to social impact.
Sabrina Pilet-Jones
What is your role at Haley House?
Urban Farm Manager
What brought you to Haley House?
I was drawn to Haley House not only because I loved the Thornton St Farm space, but I also recognized the organization’s roots in community, nourishment, and Social services. I wanted to be part of a space where healing, land work, and social impact come together in a real, grounded way.
What does food with purpose mean to you?
Food with purpose is food that tells a story. It feeds not only the body, but the soul, the culture, and the community. It’s grown or prepared with intention—honoring the people, traditions, and land it comes from, while making space for equity, access, and connection.
What has been your favorite Haley House moment?
Seeing people receive the food they need and watching people light up on the land, whether it’s youth harvesting their first bunch of vegetables, elders sharing stories, or neighbors pausing to talk in the garden and say hello.
What is your favorite thing to grow?
Flowers and herbs, always. I love the colors, textures, smells, and the medicine they carry. Calendula, tulsi, chamomile, roses, and dahlias are a few of my favorites.
And for vegetables, Collard greens—hands down. They’re nourishing and have so much cultural significance. They remind me of the strength of Black foodways.
When you’re not working, what do you like to do in your free time?
I love creating things with flowers, making herbal teas, spending time with loved ones, and also traveling and dancing!
Do you have anything else you want to share with our community?
Just a reminder to come visit the Urban Farm! Come take a walk, say hello, and see what’s growing!
Sisi Jean-Baptiste (she/they)
What is your role at Haley House?
TBK and LiFT Program Manager
What brought you to Haley House?
I have also loved the community that is Haley House! I love the work we do and the people we serve. I want to be a part of that in all capacities.
What is your favorite food?
Ethiopian food
What is your favorite downtime activity?
Binge watching Netflix
What has been your favorite Haley House moment?
The farm program welcome party
What does “food with purpose” mean to you?
All of our biggest moments happen around food! All of the most influential conversations happen around food. Being intentional about the way we utilize food to conduct those conversations and changes is amazing.
Susan Terrell
What is your role at Haley House?
Operations and Administration Manager
What brought you to Haley House?
Work
Favorite food?
Jerk chicken
Favorite down time activity?
Reading
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
Outdoor Community Tables 2017
Carl Long
What is your role at Haley House?
Board Member and Chair-elect
What brought you to Haley House?
Proximity. I have been a near neighbor since 2008
Favorite downtime activity?
I enjoy baseball and basketball with my sons, hiking, and observing art.
Favorite food?
Nearly all things seafood, interesting salads, and chocolate in almost any form
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
Block parties on Montgomery Street filled with kids’ laughter, chalk drawings on the ground, and wonderful conversations amongst neighbors.
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