About Us
Site Coordinators
SEAN CONNELL
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Reuben Street Shelter, Fall River
Sean Connell graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with bachelor degrees in Political Science and Women & Gender Studies. He has worked on several social justice campaigns and became an AmeriCorps VISTA member at uthBuild, a program for at risk youth. At VISTA, he helped with grants, case management and served as a lead teacher. Sean equips students with GED/HiSET skill, resume building and professional communication and networking. Sean also oversees a community group engaging the youth of Fall River to address issues of violence and discrimination. He is passionate about education and giving every student a chance at success. "I'm incredibly excited to join the SOWMA team as site coordinator at the Fall River Family Resource Center!"
SHANTERIA CRAWFORD
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Remote/Hybrid Tutoring Coordinator
Shanteria comes to us with a wealth of experience in technology and advocacy. She began a virtual internship with SOWMA's Bridge Mentoring Program shortly after the onset of the pandemic. In this role she helped coordinate student/mentor online sessions and remote communications technology. She is the Chair of the Youth Forum at Raising Multicultural Kids, and completed a Fellowship at the BSU Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice. The Black Lives Matter movement inspired her to advocate for educational and racial justice. She is a member of the Greater Boston Association of Black Social Workers.
DONNA DIAS
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Taunton Family Center, Taunton
Ruth House Teen Parenting Center, Brockton
Donna officially joined School on Wheels in September, 2021 after more than 35 years of experience in the insurance industry. Donna has served in a number of supervisory, customer service and administrator roles throughout her management career. Throughout the past 6 years, she has tutored children as part of SOWMA's educational program. Donna attended the University of Washington in Seattle where she studied psychology. She will oversee our Teen Parenting Center in Brockton and our Family Center in Brockton.
ANITA HART
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Friends of the Homeless, Norwell, Weymouth
Anita has been an active SOWMA volunteer and supporter since 2013. She has served SOWMA in various roles, including Board member, tutor, community room volunteer and donor. After a career of 40+ years in banking and loan administration, Anita is excited to pursue a career focusing on the academic, social and emotional development of children impacted by homelessness. Anita and her husband Ray live in Pembroke and are the proud parents of two daughters who are educators - and a son ("and math whiz") - who pursues a career in bank operations.
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Family Life Center, Brockton
David Jon Louison Family Center, Brockton
Nevaeh joined us officially in September, 2021 after many years of volunteering. In her role as Site Coordinator for two of our Brockton family tutoring centers, Nevaeh will manage and support the pairings of SOWMA volunteers and students. She has been a long time volunteer in our education and community outreach programs. Nevaeh was instrumental in reconfiguring remote technology when the pandemic forced our tutoring program to a virtual platform. She is a student at Johnson & Whales University, where she studies cosmetology.
LAKIA SMALL
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Crescent Credit Union, Brockton
Evelyn House, Stoughton
Youth Division, Brockton
Lakia joined SOWMA in 2012. She has an Early Childhood Education degree from Bunker Hill Community College and a dual BS in Early Education and Supervision of Child Care Programs from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Outside of SOWMA, Lakia works with the Justice Resource Institute serving at-risk families. Prior to devoting her career to the Brockton community, Lakia worked for more than 15 years with at-risk populations in Boston. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, cultural activities, giving back to the community and spending time with her teenage daughter. Lakia's passion is working with underserved families and children.
LYNN AMARAL
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Harbour House, New Bedford
Ms. Lynn Amaral has been a dedicated teacher within the diocese of Fall River since 1984. Lynn taught for over 30 years at St. Stanislaus School in Fall River, MA and is currently the 5th grade teacher at Holy Family Holy Name in New Bedford, MA. Lynn is a lifelong New Bedford resident with deep ties to the community. The child of Portuguese-Immigrants she brings her love and deep commitment to do good work into all she does. Lynn joins SOWMA as the site coordinator at New Bedford's Harbour House, right in the heart of her own neighborhood.
LINDA DAMASO
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Harbour House, New Bedford
Good Shepherd Parish, Fall River
Linda graduated from Bunker Hill Community College and is pursuing her bachelor's and then master's degree in social work. Many years ago she was living in a shelter with her own three children. She brings to her position a deep and personal understanding of the plight families and children in transition face; and the boundless optimism that with hard work the future can be brighter. Linda has long been part of SOWMA, she speaks fluent Portuguese and is a strong advocate of our work, mission and students.
MADDIE PEREIRA
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Saint Amrose Parish, Dorchester
YMCA, Boston
VANESSA VENTURA
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Chamblet, Dorchester
Nazareth House, Roxbury
KIRSTYN SWEENEY
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Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless, Plymouth/Kingston
Nevaeh Small
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Family Life Center, Brockton
David Jon Louison Family Center, Brockton
Nevaeh joined us officially in September, 2021 after many years of volunteering. In her role as Site Coordinator for two of our Brockton family tutoring centers, Nevaeh will manage and support the pairings of SOWMA volunteers and students. She has been a long time volunteer in our education and community outreach programs. Nevaeh was instrumental in reconfiguring remote technology when the pandemic forced our tutoring program to a virtual platform. She is a student at Johnson & Whales University, where she studies cosmetology.