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.
| Name | Role on Board | Professional Title | Professional Affiliation | City of Residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carl Long | Chair | Global Quality Director | Cabot Corporation | Boston, MA |
| Celia Grant | Member | Engagement and Programs Director | Daily Table | Roxbury, MA |
| Christina Horn | Clerk | Senior Production Editor | Bedford/St. Martin's Press | Middleton, MA |
| David Manzo | Member | Retired | N/A | Boston, MA |
| David Whalen | Member | Vice President of Advancement | Catholic Charities of Boston | Boston, MA |
| Irene Li | Member | Chef/Owner | Mei Mei | Boston, MA |
| Kathleen O'Connor | Treasurer | Retired | N/A | Newton, MA |
| Kathy Kim | Member | Photographer | Boston Photography/Alpha & Omega | Brighton, MA |
| Laurie Gould | Member | Principal | VIVA Consulting LLC | Boston, MA |
| Victor Capoccia, Ph.D. | Member | Retired | N/A | Watertown, MA |
| Wataru Matsuyasu | Member | Attorney | Klein Hornig | Newton, MA |
| Yvonne Rincon | Member | Director of Accounting | California College of the Arts | Revere, MA |
Haley House uses food with purpose and the power of community to break down barriers between people, empower individuals, and strengthen neighborhoods. We believe in radical solutions: solving problems at their root by challenging attitudes that perpetuate suffering and building alternative models.
Reginald Jean
What is your role at Haley House?
Executive Director
Abe Gore
What is your role at Haley House?
Grants and Projects Manager
What brought you to Haley House?
Volunteering in the Soup Kitchen
Favorite down time activity?
Geeking out about food and bikes.
Favorite food?
Any kind of food that is well prepared. That being said, I am probably composed of at least 50% Teddy Peanut Butter
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
Stepping outside the Soup Kitchen to clip some cilantro for morning meal (tacos) a guest ordered me stop (in Cantonese) what I was doing, relieved of my shears, and showed me how to properly harvest the cilantro I needed without killing the plant.
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.
Disha (they/she)
What is your role at Haley House?
urban farm manager
What brought you to Haley House?
trust in my mycelium network
Favorite food?
anything homegrown/made with love & good intentions! & with veggies/fruits! &/or foods with tart, savory, spicy, bitter flavor
Favorite down time activity?
cooking in the woods with people
What does “food with purpose” mean to you?
food that’s ACCESSIBLE and FREE for the masses and not thought of as a commodity that exists for the purpose of profit/exploitation of people/land. food that’s beyond the purpose of flavor or fuel & that’s more about being our most affordable health care/prevention. & food as offering healing, connection, & [re]building a deeper more intimate relationship with ourselves, the land & our stories.
Fatima Seck
What is your role at Haley House?
McKinley Garden Coordinator
What brought you to Haley House?
I had a friend who was a live-in and they invited me to volunteer in the garden.
Favorite down time activity?
Reading
Favorite food?
Any kind of fresh fruit
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
It’s always so special to harvest fruit with kids in the garden
Grace McEnery
What is your role at Haley House?
Outreach and Development Manager
What brought you to Haley House?
I was a summer intern while I was in college, and loved spending my days switching between the office, the soup kitchen, and the bakery cafe. That summer allowed me to experience so many different pieces of Haley House and really impacted me. Like many others, I happily found my way back again through this role.
Favorite down time activity?
Cooking, hiking and playing music with friends!
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
One of my favorite memories was the first day that we reopened for indoor dining after almost two years of take-out meals during COVID. It was such a joyful occasion having everyone back together around the table.
Jay Vilar
What is your role at Haley House?
Program Director
What brought you to Haley House?
I live behind the Haley House farm in Roxbury and was introduced to farmer Anna. We had shared experience and passion in urban farming. We connected over conversations about social justice and equity in the food system. She shared opportunities within Haley House and I was honored to be offered my role. I’m honored to work alongside so many passionate, smart, and talented people that show up everyday to serve our mission.
Favorite food?
My mom’s Thanksgiving Stew made with the leftovers from the night before.
Favorite down time activity?
Hanging out on my front patio with friends, finding hikes with a nice view, trying new recipes, reading the Sunday Paper.
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
When I was working with students at McKinley garden teaching them how to direct seed, a 6th grader was less than enthused to plant radish seeds. The following week we walk by budding seedlings and says, “look at how my babies are growing!”
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.
Michelle Holcomb
What is your role at Haley House?
Development Director
What brought you to Haley House?
I came to Haley House after 19 years at Food For Free. I was looking for a place where I could see and meet the people impacted by our work, but also a place with a sizable impact. Also, I really wanted to be part of an organization that led with its values. Haley House feels like all of those things.
Favorite down time activity?
Hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking.
What does Haley House’s mission mean to you?
“Food with purpose” really speaks to me, because I believe that food is one of the fundamental ways that human beings connect with each other and affirm our interconnectedness. I love that Haley House is intentionally using food as a way to build stronger relationships within our community.
Mo Katz-Christy
What is your role at Haley House?
Live-in Community Member
What brought you to Haley House?
I am continually brought to Haley House for the joy of being the soup kitchen!
Favorite food?
Perfectly cooked potatoes
Favorite down time activity?
Meandering through the neighborhood taking in all the yummy plant aro
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
The honor of hosting our dear friend and elder’s funeral. What I love about the Haley House soup kitchen is that it can hold space for so many different emotions, and this funeral was able to access the joy and gratitude for our friend’s life and also the grief of continuing on without him. We were able to lift his life up together.
O’Shinga Ramashinga
What is your role at Haley House?
Resident Manager
What brought you to Haley House?
Divine Providence! On the verge of homelessness, I was invited for my 2-week stay. The timing in which things took place is otherwise unexplainable.
Favorite down time activity?
Meditation
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
Thomas’ farewell gathering. I knew I would miss his presence.
Susan Terrell
What is your role at Haley House?
Finance 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
Yvonne Rincón
What is your role at Haley House?
I’m a member of the Board.
What brought you to Haley House?
I was first introduced to Haley House when I was a student at Boston College. During an event, we were given a bit of information about the organization and its TEP program. After working in the corporate world for some months after graduating, I decided to move on to an organization that I felt I could connect with and be a positive change for the community and Haley House was the perfect fit for me. I’m happy to have returned to serve on the board.
Favorite down time activity?
I really enjoy hiking and reading… not at the same time.
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
Participating in the Dorchester Chili Cook-off. It was a nice day of amazing food, eager community members, and sharing.
David Manzo
What is your role at Haley House?
Board Member (Currently) Also, PULSE Volunteer (1975-1977). Live-In Community (1977-1980), Board Chair (1980-1991)
What brought you to Haley House?
When I was in high school in the early 1970s, I visited the Catholic Worker in New York. As a student at BC, Jim Halpin, a Jesuit, and one of my teachers introduced me to Kathe McKenna and Haley House, the beginning of 40+ years of involvement.
Favorite down time activity?
Watching my New York Yankees
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
Opening the door at 6 AM when the day begins at the Soup Kitchen and my relationships with our guests especially Ed Hennessey, Lefty Powers, Clarkie and Willie Brown. I greatly miss them all.
Irene Li
What is your role at Haley House?
Board Member
What brought you to Haley House?
The Souper Bowl was my first experience with Haley House. I think the people are incredible and the mission inspires me to believe in a better future for Boston.
Favorite down time activity?
Tending my houseplants
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
Feeding nearly a quart of carrot soup to a four year old at our first Souper Bowl
Kathy Kim
What is your role at Haley House?
Board Member (Finance Commitee) / LiFT
What brought you to Haley House?
Haley House came to Dudley Square and that’s where I met Kathe McKenna at a Dudley Pride Meeting which was a program under the historic Dudley Square Merchants Association which then evolved into what we know today as Roxbury Main Streets.
Favorite down time activity?
Padde boarding, surfing, fishing … designing
Favorite food?
Pizza
Favorite or most memorable HH moment?
Our First Dinner and Movie with Bing and Didi. It was the first time since I was a child in the 1970s I had seen an inflatable movie projector in Roxbury which took place in the early 2000s. We had to bring the inflatable movie unit to cars which we had to climb and serve dinner and movie for over 200 people in the lot.
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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