Community Advisory Board

The RCHC convened a Community Advisory Board in 2009. The mission of the Community Advisory Board is to provide meaningful leadership, support and direction for the RCHC to ensure that the Center's resources and services meet the needs of all 60 Metrowest communities.

Roles & Responsibilities of the Advisory Board:

• Identify areas of need within the community (training, resources)
• Participate as appropriate in RCHC's hiring process
• Advise on RCHC policies
• Provide input on RCHC's evaluation of its own work
• Develop and implement strategies to communicate with members of the community and organizations within the community
• Raise awareness of the quality and scope of services and programs offered by the RCHC within the community
• Provide staff with an accurate picture of the community's perception of the RCHC

The board meets 2-3 times annually and advises the RCHC on the following strategic directions:

• Strengthening inclusion and outreach
• Strengthening RCHC system-wide coordination and communication
• Expanding the perception of our work beyond substance abuse prevention to encompass broader, healthy communities work
• Increasing visibility of the RCHC in the community
• Documenting and evaluating our impact
• Diversifying our funding

Current Members of the Community Advisory Board:

Lisa Brukilacchio is the Director of the Somerville Community Health Agenda at Cambridge Health Alliance. She is also a member of CHNA 17 and sits on the Executive Team at Somerville Cares about Prevention (SCAP). 

Frank Connelly Project Coordinator of the Cambridge Prevention Coalition (CPC) and member of CHNA 17.

John Gatto Senior Vice President of Programs at AIDS Action Committee.

Alice Knowles Manager of Data Services, Institute for Community Health, Cambridge Health Alliance.

Cathy Romeo is the Cultural Competency Program Manager for VNA Care Network & Hospice and is a certified cultural competency trainer. Cathy is committed to improving cross-cultural communication and care across the life spectrum and to eliminating health disparties in the state of Massachusetts. She also serves as a member of the CHNA 7 Steering Committee.

Jennifer Larson Sawin is the Executive Director of Communities for Restorative Justice in Concord, MA. She is interested in the broad definition of community health and wellbeing, particularly in a community's ability to respond with resilience to crime. Jennifer is connected to the RCHC as a member of CHNA 15 and has offered restorative justice training to the Center.

Val Sullivan Community Health Program Coordinator & Healthy Way Program Coordinator, Town of Weymouth; Director, Weymouth Youth Coalition.

Former members:

Kristin French  Community Organizer at the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network/Wayside Multi-Service Center. Her interests include underage alcohol and other drug prevention, root causes and associated risks of underage drinking, and strengths-based solutions. Kristin is tied to the RCHC as a member of the Watertown Youth Coalition.

Natasha Thorne Town of Arlington Health Department

Enxhi Popa The 84, former Somerville High School student and member of the 84 movement.

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