Deborah began her connections with M-POWER in 1994 as a consultant. In June of 1995 she became Executive Coordinator and currently she is Executive Director of the statewide Transformation Center. Deborah brought with her twelve years of skills as a community organizer, organizational networking and coalition building. She is a graduate of the University of Maine with a Bachelors of Science degree.

Valeria Chambers:

Valeria became a member of Consumers of Color Peer Networking Project, a project sponsored by M-POWER, in April 2004. In October 2004 she became coordinator for the project. The project has been assisting residents of a mixed, elder, and disabled apartment complex to resolve long standing conflicts and to develop social networks. Valeria brings skills in working with youth and seniors. She has case management skills and experience as an academic counselor and teacher, as well as a curriculum developer to Japanese students. Valeria has completed course work at Harvard Divinity School in World Religions. She received her Doctorate in Counseling and Consulting Psychology from Harvard Graduate School of Education, from which she has a Masters of Education Degree. She has Completed graduate course work in anthropology, education, and psychology from the University of Chicago and she received her Bachelor of Science degree from Tufts university.

Sara Sternberg: 

Sara began working at M-POWER in April 2003. She assists in various projects of The Transformation Center. She is a  coordinater and trainer for the Massachusetts Leadership Academy and offers technical assistance to The Transformation Center and Recovery Network of Boston. She offers information and referral and individual advocacy over the phone.

Linda: 

Linda began her work with M-POWER in June 2004. she is coordinator for Empowered At The Statehouse, a day-long consumer legislative training event. She monitors legislation of concern to persons with mental health disabilities and medical needs. She also assists in putting on the Massachusetts Leadership Academy. Linda has skills in customer service, case management, and vocational counseling and training. She also serves on numerous advisory and executive boards and commissions. Linda is a graduate of Bunker Hill Community College with a Certificate in Mental Health and Human Services. She also has a Bachelors of Sociology from University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Jessel Paul Smith (Youth Worker):

Hi, my name is Jessel. I am a peer-mentor for M-POWER's peer-mentoring project. I currently mentor a teenager who resides in an Intensive Residential Treatment Program (IRTP), a residence for youth with mental illness. I also occasionally write for CHANGE, M-POWER's newsletter. In addition I sit on the State Mental Health Planning Council (SMHPC) and am co-chair of the Youth Development Committee (a sub-committee of the SMHPC). M-POWER has provided great support in assisting me do the work. They have also provided a wonderful work environment!

Michael Kerins:

Michael recently joined the worker team in November 2005. He works part time assisting Suzy as co-presenter of Provider Trainings. He also works as an employee specialist, vocational counselor, and peer counselor with people who are homeless and persons who have mental health disabilities. Michael is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology

Eric Mello (Accountant):

Hi My name is Eric, I have been doing the accounting and financial management for M-Power since January of 1998. I have been doing Non Profit Financial Management for over 12 years. I have been married for 14 years and I have 5 Kids (2 girls & 3 boys). The favorite thing I enjoy doing is spending time with my family. I also enjoy home renovating, running for exercise, I play guitar and drums (very amateur), and I am very involved with my local Church

Ann Stillman (Administrative Coordinator):

Hi, my name is Ann. I am an administrative coordinator. I work out of the Boston Recovery Learning Center office, Monday through Thursday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. I answer and direct many of the phone calls that come into the center, respond to Self-Advocacy Line calls (SAL) and provide technical assistance to coordinators of the various project. I work with Eric Mello on our accounts and share project coordination tasks for the Peer to Peer Facilitators.

Oreo:

Here is Oreo, she is our service dog