Just Roots, a farming and food access nonprofit based in Greenfield, has named Meryl LaTronica and Joshua Faller as co-executive directors.
LaTronica has spent the past eight years driving change at Just Roots, combining her knowledge of sustainable agriculture with a passion for strengthening local food systems.
Faller has been at the forefront of efforts to tackle systemic barriers to food security. With experience in data driven program management, he has helped shape initiatives such as expanding food access programs for Medicaid patients and scaling community-supported agriculture programs to reach those most in need.
*******************************************************
Holyoke Community College Foundation Inc., the nonprofit fundraising arm of Holyoke Community College, has added four new members to its Board of Directors, including two alumni. The new board members are:
Rob Cestola, of Southampton, a certified public accountant, and tax and finance consultant who serves as board treasurer for Dakin Humane Society.
Dan Desrochers, of South Hadley, director of communications at Amherst College and former marketing director at Greenfield Community College.
Deborah Rodriguez, of Springfield, an HCC graduate from the class of 2004, licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and founder of FAROS counseling services.
Matt Manganelli, of Southampton, an HCC graduate from the class of 2009 and retail lending sales manager at Westfield Bank who serves on the Western Mass Mortgage Review Board for the Massachusetts Division of Banks.
New board members attended their first meeting Dec. 3.
*****************************************************
Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start (HCS Head Start) announces the election of the 2024-2025 Policy Council composed of parents of currently enrolled children and members-at-large of the communities served by HCS Head Start, which may include parents of children who were formally enrolled. This newly elected group of leaders includes:
Amber Cichowski, MA Head Start Association (Community Representative)
Chalen Vasquez (Parkside Early Learning Center, Ludlow)
Cinnamon Smith, Westover Job Corps (Community Representative)
Dakota Bailes (Westover Head Start Center, Chicopee)
Fanny Perez (Mason Square Head Start & Early Head Start Center, Springfield)
Gladys Rivera (Carew Street Head Start Center, Springfield)
Jeimy Diaz (Churchill Head Start Center, Holyoke)
Katherine Gasque (Madison Head Start & Early Head Start Center, Springfield)
Milagros Arocho Pumarejo (Robinson Gardens Head Start Center, Springfield)
Sulema Chaj (Mason Square Head Start & Early Head Start Center, Springfield)
Policy Council is part of Head Start’s commitment to collaborating with parents at every level of the program. Council members work alongside the Board of Directors and members of HCS Head Start Senior Leadership.
*******************************************************
MiraVista Behavioral Health Center in Holyoke announces the appointment of Dr. Kenneth R. Richmond as its new medical director.
He served as deputy chief of the medical staff and medical director of multiple mental health clinics during his tenure in the United States Air Force, where he was recognized with honors such as the Meritorious Service Medal.
Richmond holds an MD from George Washington University School of Medicine and a master’s in organizational leadership from Quinnipiac University. He completed his psychiatry residency and a Public Service Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, where he also served as chief resident. A Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Richmond has also contributed to advancing mental health education and awareness through teaching, public speaking, and advocacy.
MiraVista Behavioral Health Center provides mental health and substance use treatment services for adolescents and adults.
