Pictured above: Mark Dagnall of Justice Resource Institute, the family of Angela Berry and the O’Neil family join Ed O’Neil Award recipient Angela Berry of Justice Resource Institute (center). Photo credit: Matthew Dastoli Photography.
Over 80 MHSA member agency representatives, Board Members and community partners gathered in Boston on December 16 for the 2015 MHSA Annual Meeting. In addition to celebrating MHSA’s accomplishments during Fiscal Year 2015, the event provided an opportunity to honor three individuals who have made important contributions to efforts to end homelessness in the Commonwealth: Massachusetts Senate Majority Leader Harriette L. Chandler; Timothy L. Riley, former Executive Director of Action, Inc.; and Angela Berry, Medical Case Manager at Justice Resource Institute.
MHSA President & Executive Director Joe Finn opened the awards presentation with the Canon Brian S. Kelley Public Servant Award, awarded to Massachusetts Senate Majority Leader Harriette L. Chandler for her work to end homelessness through the support of outcome-based initiatives; for her support of permanent supportive housing; for her advocacy and support of housing and services for transitional age youth; and finally for her commitment to appropriate housing, services and resources for all people in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Legislative Director & General Counsel Bryan Barash accepted the award on Senate Majority Leader Chandler’s behalf, and MHSA made a formal presentation to the Senate Majority Leader in January.
MHSA President & Executive Director Joe Finn presents Senate Majority Leader Harriette L. Chandler with the Canon Brian S. Kelley Public Servant Award in January.
Joe Finn then presented the William Lloyd Garrison Lifetime Achievement Award to Timothy L. Riley, former Executive Director of MHSA member agency Action, Inc., for his unyielding resolve and commitment to ending homelessness in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Maggie Howard, Timothy L. Riley and Peggy Hegarty-Steck of Action, Inc. Photo credit: Matthew Dastoli Photography.
Finally, Rosalie O’Neil, wife of the late Ed O’Neil, joined Joe Finn for the presentation of the fourth annual Ed O’Neil Award for a distinguished direct care worker. Ed O’Neil was a Quincy native and long-time supporter of homeless individuals. The recipient of this year’s award was Angela Berry, who serves as Medical Case Manager at Justice Resource Institute.
Angela Berry and Mark Dagnall of Justice Resource Institute with MHSA President & Executive Director Joe Finn during the presentation of the fourth annual Ed O’Neil Award. Photo credit: Matthew Dastoli Photography.
MHSA extends our thanks to this year’s honorees and sponsors, as well as to the MHSA Board of Directors, MHSA member agencies and our community partners. We are also grateful to the Jewish Community Relations Council and Combined Jewish Philanthropies for generously donating the event space.
Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Eastern Bank, and to our Lead Sponsor, Justice Resource Institute!
View photos from the 2015 MHSA Annual Meeting.