Health Imperatives Welcomes
President & CEO Stephanie Brown | | |
On September 14, Stephanie Brown officially joined Health Imperatives as our new President and Chief Executive Officer.
Stephanie comes to us from Casa Myrna, a Boston nonprofit dedicated to ending domestic violence, where she served as CEO for 13 years.
We are excited to welcome her to our team!
Stephanie's arrival was announced in State House News and in Mass Nonprofit News. Learn more about Stephanie and our Senior Staff on the Our Team web page.
| |
Dear Friends,
My first few weeks at Health Imperatives have been wonderful. As I get to know my new colleagues, I am inspired by the Health Imperatives team, invigorated by the work that lies ahead, and excited to lead this incredible organization into its next chapter.
I believe deeply in Health Imperatives’ vision to ensure that every resident of Southeastern Massachusetts is healthy, safe, strong, and empowered. I also believe that impact of this magnitude requires the participation of those directly affected, as well as strong partnerships with advocates, funders, and leaders across the nonprofit, corporate, research, and government sectors. Lasting change requires a community effort – it’s this support and shared commitment that has allowed Health Imperatives to become a beacon of hope, health, and compassionate care for so many who have fallen through the cracks of our healthcare system.
I cannot imagine a world where I am not working to end poverty and violence against women and marginalized people. I am proud to carry on that work at Health Imperatives.
I look forward to all that we will accomplish together.
With appreciation,
| | |
Stephanie Brown
President and CEO
| | Supporting Survivors
Starts with Believing Them | | |
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
There is no single path to healing from sexual assault or domestic violence. Every survivor’s experience is different, and every survivor deserves to be believed and empowered to make their own decisions about what comes next.
For some, that means turning to law enforcement, school officials, employers, or trusted family and friends. For others, it means counseling, finding a safe place to stay, or simply having someone listen without judgment. The most important thing we can do is believe survivors and respect that they know best what they need.
Health Imperatives helps survivors find their path forward through:
-
SAFEPLAN provides court-based advocacy, safety planning and assistance with restraining and harassment prevention orders.
-
Penelope’s Place offers emergency shelter, counseling, and resources to help survivors of domestic violence and their children rebuild their lives.
-
A New Day provides free, confidential sexual assault and rape crisis counseling, advocacy, and support, whether an assault occurred yesterday or decades ago.
-
Pathways to Power supports survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking with paid job training, career coaching, financial literacy, and housing assistance.
Healing happens on each survivor’s own timeline. Our imperative is to ensure that no one has to navigate that journey alone.
Thank you to all of our steadfast donors who share our mission to support all survivors who seek our assistance.
Need support? Our confidential 24/7 hotline is available at 508-588-TALK (8255).
Learn more about our survivor support services here.
| | |
Health Imperatives continues to expand WIC services across our region. Here are the latest updates on our offices:
Middleboro WIC
The Middleboro WIC office has closed. Middleboro clients should instead contact the Plymouth WIC office at 508-747-4933.
Mashpee WIC
The Falmouth WIC office relocated and is now the Mashpee WIC Office at Deer Crossing, Upper level, 681 Falmouth Road, Building B21, Mashpee MA.
Cape Cod WIC
As of October 1, we have an additional Cape Cod WIC location at 900 Route 134, Unit 2-15, South Dennis, MA, 02660.
We also have a mobile location in Eastham!
Call 508-771-7896 for hours and availability:
- Cape Cod Children’s Place, 10 Ballwic Road, Eastham MA
WIC office locations, hours, and phone numbers can be found on our website.
| Health Imperatives In the Community | Health Imperatives staff had a busy summer! Here are some highlights: | | |
Brockton Summer Fun Fest
Community Advocates like Juna Enayo do critical work by going directly to the heart of our communities to connect, share information, spread awareness, and answer questions about our programs and services.
| | |
Plymouth Pride
At Plymouth Pride and every day, Health Imperatives celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and remains committed to providing inclusive, affirming care.
This year, Ellie Guiliani, Communications and Outreach Advocate; Shannon DeMille, Outreach Worker and Sexual Health Educator; and Lily Wurzburg, Special Projects Coordinator greeted visitors and shared information.
| | |
Community Foundation for Nantucket
Partnerships with funders help us to ensure individuals and families have the resources, support, and services they need, when they need it.
Alice Townsend, Nantucket WIC Nutritionist, and Elizabeth Torrant, Chief Program Officer, attended an event for grantees.
| | |
Self-Care for Survivors
Genine Farrell and Courtney Waters, Sexual Assault Response Peer Support Specialists from the Commission for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities, delivered an in-kind donation to our A New Day rape crisis center. Their self-care bags for survivors of sexual assault and trafficking were so thoughtful! Grace Terrazas, Clinical Director of Clinical and Emergency Services, and Withmise Desrosiers, Bilingual Sexual Assault Advocate/Case Manager, accepted the donation.
| | |
Cape & Islands United Way
Cape & Islands United Way honored us with a Community Impact Grant Award in recognition of efforts to expand access to high-quality programs and services for individuals and families across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket.
Kellie Crosby-Hicks, Director of Maternal and Child Health, accepted the award from Mark Skala, President and CEO of Cape & Islands United Way.
| | |
Last month, we met a family of four – a mother, father, and their two young children – who faced an unexpected and devastating financial crisis.
The father was the primary provider for the family, working for the same company for over eight years. When the owner was deported, the business was forced to close and the father lost his job. With no steady income, they relied on their savings to cover their basic expenses, including more than $3,000 in monthly rent.
The mother came to us overwhelmed and in tears. One of the most urgent challenges was their gas bill, which had accumulated to more than $2,000. We were able to provide assistance, helping relieve one of the family’s immediate financial burdens. We also connected them with resources, including food assistance and daycare referrals.
The mother recently called us to share how grateful the family was for our support. Using WIC benefits to purchase food had made a meaningful difference. She was also in the process of obtaining childcare vouchers, which would allow her to return to work.
This family’s experience reminds us that timely assistance is about more than paying a bill – it can provide breathing room, dignity, and ultimately, a path to a secure future.
Want to help us connect families with the resources they need to rebuild and thrive? Make a donation today.
| | | | |
