Sabrina L. Acloque Sabrina grew up in a single- parent household where she learned that hard work and determination are the keys to success. Her goal is to show young people, low-income people and immigrants that they too have a place in society. A
graduate of Cornell University, Sabrina speaks fluent French, Spanish and Haitian Creole. An aspiring public interest lawyer, who served as a Judicial Staff Intern for the U. S. District Court of Massachusetts and as a Judiciary Committee
Intern for US Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Sabrina will join the staff of the Greater Boston Legal Services.
Kerry Kathleen Baker Describing herself as, “organized, self motivated and hard-working,” Kerry hopes to bring these fine qualities to the office of Western Massachusetts Legal Services. Kerry graduated with a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology
from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst; she feels this degree has provided her with a wide array of perspectives into cross-cultural issues such as health, economics, and community organization.
Katherine Blake Katherine has worked in the VISTA program as a volunteer in Springfield, Massachusetts for the ReStore Improvement Center, which assists low-income families to remodel their homes affordably. This experience was the beginning
of Katherine’s realization that she didn’t have to search far and wide to make a difference and that she didn’t have to look further than her own community to “give back”. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College,
Katherine holds a B. A. in Environmental Studies. After graduation, Katherine set out to explore different fields to gain professional experience before returning to school to earn a master’s degree. Joining AmeriCorps fit perfectly with
her plan. As a staff member at Western Massachusetts Legal Services, Katherine feels there is no better way of making a difference in people’s lives than helping someone find housing, obtain health benefits or receive an education.
Matthew Bohenek A member of the graduating class of 2005 at Skidmore College, Matt served as a mentor in the Saratoga Mentoring Program. This program, similar to Big Brothers/Big Sisters, positioned Matt as a positive, dependable role model for
others, especially his nine-year-old mentee, Kyle. Matthew received the Rodney D. Andrews Prize at Skidmore, an honor bestowed on a senior whose life in the College Community has been one of cheerful, unobtrusive, and unselfish service. He
also received the college’s Student Employee of the Year award. With outstanding writing and research skills, Matt will be a valuable AmeriCorps member at the Southeastern Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation office in Brockton.
Edna E. Brown
Edna witnessed much cultural intolerance in the small, poor town in Oklahoma, where she was raised. Her experience as a minority woman led her to join the Native American Students’ Organization at Wellesley College, where she majored in Anthropology
and minored in Religion. Edna wants to help educate her community about Native American life, culture, and current events. She has also been involved in political issues and the education of her community as a member of the Wellesley College
Democrats. Edna hopes to use these experiences, and the legal experience she’ll gain as an AmeriCorps member with Greater Boston Legal Services, to support her application to law school.
Jonathan Ciappa Jon is no stranger to AmeriCorps; he recently completed a ten month AmeriCorps program with the “I Have a Dream Foundation” in Boulder, Colorado, where he tutored low-income, at-risk fifth graders. He also helped with
fundraising for special events. Jon graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Vermont. The Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, honored him for his research to strengthen community justice. Jon will join the Center for
Law and Education in Boston, where he will work on improving parental influence in local schools. Education is the aspect of public interest law that most appeals to him.
Jacqueline Dittrich A graduate of Springfield College with a degree in Community Leadership and Development, Jacqueline is looking forward to her new AmeriCorps legal associate position. She is the co-founder of her town’s Disability
Commission and assisted in writing by-laws for the new Commission. As a Legislative Liaison she was able to translate disability regulations into understandable English. Jacqueline has, in the past, served at Legal Services for Cape,
Plymouth and Islands, where she will serve again, this time as an AmeriCorps member, sharing her knowledge to assist low-income and mentally and physically challenged individuals.
Clay Reetina Forney Clay completed the course of study at Southern New England School of Law (SNESL) while working at Women & Infants Hospital in Rhode
Island. She now possesses both a law degree and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Greensboro College in North Carolina. Her internship at the Massachusetts Housing Court allowed her to experience first-hand the tough issues facing low-income
households. Her moot court experiences, coupled with legal writing and research at SNESL, confirmed her desire to become a litigator. She is presently working on a paper addressing race and the law. Clay will be a welcome addition to the New Bedford
office of the New Center for Legal Advocacy.
Patricia Kuo Patricia joined AmeriCorps to become a true social activist - tackling critical issues and advocating for change. Patricia is a Graduate with Distinction from Duke University in 2005, with a B.S. in Psychology and a Concentration
in Neuroscience. She wrote her thesis on “Dopamine and Interval Timing in Aging and Parkinson’s Disease”. This will serve as her well in addressing Elder Law issues. While at Duke she served as Vice President
of Finance for her sorority and Chairman of the Red Cross for Kids Committee. Her volunteer efforts and her proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish will add value to her membership in the Americorp Program. Patricia will join the staff
at Massachusetts Law Reform Institute in Boston.
Kari M. Gordon Kari graduated Magna Cum Laude from Roger Williams University with a B.A. in Political Science. She was working at Brigham and Women’s Physician’s Organization when this AmeriCorps program brought her goal of obtaining a
law degree closer to hand. Kari plans to attend law school in the Fall of 2006 and ultimately become an attorney for a non-profit organization such as Planned Parenthood or the Red Cross. Kari is Chairwoman for the Rhode Island Division
of HeadHuggers, a non-profit organization that distributes hand knit hats (made by volunteers) to hospitals and oncology offices for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Kari also takes the time to meet with relatives of cancer patients describing
this experience as “humbling”. She will advance her knowledge in the law and her advocacy skills at Neighborhood Legal Services in Lynn.
Adrian Healy Adrian’s skills in oral and written communication, analysis, and research made him an excellent match for the Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts in Worcester. Adrian, a multi-tasking individual with an extensive
background of volunteer and community service, is a graduate of Allegheny College. Adrian plans to pursue a degree in law, focusing on matters of public interest.
Aron Israelite A founder of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) chapter while at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Aron continues his involvement with the ACLU as a volunteer in the organization’s Boston Office. In this capacity
he works primarily on campus organizing issues and a campaign to pass a statewide resolution reforming the USA Patriot Act. Aron feels that the learning experience offered by the AmeriCorps program would be invaluable to him as he contemplates
his future, which he expects will involve work in promoting social justice. Aron spent a semester abroad in Florence, Italy, and is proficient in Italian. He will serve with Community Catalyst in Boston.
Viera Andrea Moya
Viera served as Project Manager in the Aspira Program and the English Language Learner’s Program, both designed to encourage Latino students to continue their education into college. Because of these programs, she learned to nurture, care, and be
patient. As a Spanish-speaking and -writing Hispanic female, she quickly became a mentor and role model for young Latino girls. Her Hispanic heritage proved invaluable at Bentley College. Viera will join Casa Myrna Vasquez in Boston, where she plans
to improve the lives of Casa Myrna’s Hispanic clients.
Tahirah Nicholls Tahirah is a second year law student at Suffolk University Law School. An energetic and gregarious person by nature, Tahirah adapts smoothly to new environments. These characteristics served her well previously as an AmeriCorps
member in an educational setting. She is excited about her new opportunity to combine that experience with exposure to the practice of law at Greater Boston Legal Services. Tahirah will continue her studies at Suffolk, and will continue
to plan and organize their annual Alumni Jazz Reception and Black History Month events.
Cheng-Ting Ni Cheng-Ting served as a VISTA volunteer coordinating a service-learning program between Tufts University and Boston’s Chinatown. This gave her a deep appreciation for those community networks and service providers that address
the needs of low-income immigrants. Cheng-Ting expects to graduate from Harvard University in 2006 with an M.A. in East Asian Studies. She graduated from Wellesley College Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Political Science and Chinese Studies. Cheng-Ting
has a great desire to learn about Immigration Law. Eventually she plans to attend law school to study immigration law and international human rights. Cheng-Ting’s fluent Mandarin Chinese and Spanish will be an asset to Greater Boston
Legal Services.
Judy Pisnanont Judy brings to AmeriCorps, and the office of Mental Health Legal Advisors, where she will serve, many positive experiences as a legal intern. Judy graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in History from Boston College, and graduated from
Northeastern University School of Law. She became especially motivated by her work at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, where she witnessed first-hand the voting barriers that immigrants face. Her goal is to work as
an attorney in the public interest sector, helping disadvantaged communities. Judy’s Thai and Spanish proficiency will be of great value at MHLAC.
Heather Heath Reed Heather is a Dension University graduate who has proven to be a creative self-starter with excellent writing and oral communication skills. Heather is no stranger to the Fall River office of the Southeastern Massachusetts Legal
Assistance Corporation, where she has spent time as a Senior Aide, assisting five attorneys. She has written several articles about legal aid, drawing on her more than twenty years of professional writing experience. During the last
holiday season, Heather and her family served hot meals and interacted with those in need at her church, an experience she hopes to repeat over and over in the coming years. Volunteering and helping the less fortunate is a quality that will
only enhance her ability to excel in her new role.
Benjamin Rivard-Rapoza Benjamin will be returning to the Southeastern Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation office in New Bedford, after interning there in the spring of 2005. Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts
at Amherst, Benjamin has been an active volunteer in his community. As a volunteer guide at the New Bedford National Historical Park, Benjamin developed his own walking tours to accommodate the interest of each group, gaining thereby a great
appreciation for his hometown. Benjamin now lives in Dartmouth, where he has been a Town Meeting member since high school. A product of hard-working parents active in the Portuguese-American community, Benjamin learned early in life the
importance of equality. While in high school, Benjamin was co-founder of a chapter of the East Timor Action Network, a human rights organization concerned with redressing atrocities in the former Portuguese colony of East Timor.
Gail M. Ryan A graduate of Boston College with a major in Sociology, Gail is now ready to begin on the path to a law degree. Gail’s interest in the law stems from working two summers as a paralegal for a Boston law firm. She also has extensive
experience with volunteerism, serving four consecutive years with 4Boston, planning and delivering on social justice projects. Joining the Legal Advocacy and Resource Center in Boston as an AmeriCorps member was a natural step, which will
involve Gail further with organizations that serve low-income communities. Gail hopes this experience will prepare her to make a long-term commitment to this area of the law.
Mary Snyder South Middlesex Legal Services staff members are very excited about the new addition to their office. Mary brings to that office a law degree from New England School of Law, and a Master’s Degree from University College,
Dublin. In January of this year Mary, who is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer, was appointed guardian ad litem for two children in a case of alleged abuse and
neglect. She hoped to provide “another set of eyes” for children and families in the social service system. As an AmeriCorps member, she plans to utilize her skills in a way that will make a difference.
Marshall Stores Marshall has worked on behalf of the low-income communities in Western Massachusetts for many years. For example, he is a member of the West Side Initiative in Pittsfield, an organization formed to make decisions about revitalization
in that city. He has also been very active with the Association for Basic Community Development and Education, where he has done fundraising and administrative work. Recently Marshall received certification as a Paralegal
from the National Academy of Paralegal Studies, and completed an internship with a Berkshire, Massachusetts law firm. Marshall hopes to bring his paralegal experience to his new position at Western Massachusetts Legal Services,
to assist the low-income residents of his community with their legal needs.
Allison L. Teixeira Allison wanted to do something meaningful to bridge the time between college and law school, and chose AmeriCorps. Allison has earned real-world experience through assignments as an intern with Rhode Island Governor Donald R. Caricieri’s
media office and with Massachusetts State Senator Joan Menard. Allison is a graduate of Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, and most recently worked as a Public Affairs Assistant with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. Her
developed communications skills will be put to good use at the Center for Law an Education, where Allison will fulfill her AmeriCorp service.
