Our Story
In January of 2015, Kristin Harrison- an Easton parent – lost her young niece to a heroin overdose. Like many of her peers, the path to heroin started with the early use of alcohol and marijuana. The family struggled without local resources and feared judgment within the town. Simultaneously, Easton residents were using Facebook to discuss the issue. Many public commenters were misinformed about the realities of youth substance use. Kristin began a mission to educate others, initially through a Facebook page.
Over 7 years later, Easton Wings of Hope is recognized as the official youth substance use prevention coalition in Easton.
Easton Wings of Hope envisions a healthy Easton where healthy choices are recognized, valued, and accessible to all. The coalition’s mission is to prevent youth substance use through education, awareness, and policy change.
Our Steering Committee
Easton Wings of Hope and its Steering Committee are eager to work with Easton residents and other community partners to make positive changes and prevent youth initiation to substances.
Darcy Paiva
Co-Chair
Darcy Paiva has been on the Steering Committee since 2019. Darcy is the Executive Director of the Old Colony YMCA Easton branch and within her role represents the Youth Serving Organization sector for the coalition. She has worked in this role for the past 10 years and uses her expertise to advocate for the community and advance the mission of the Y–for youth development, social responsibility, and healthy living.
Lisa St. Mary
Co-Chair
Lisa St. Mary has been on the Steering Committee since 2021. Lisa has worked in the Easton Public Schools as a High School Adjustment Counselor for 17 years, making her feel connected to the community. Having witnessed the increasing levels of stress and mental health needs in students which can make them more vulnerable to using substances to cope and the toll addiction takes on teenager and their families, she believes that prevention work is a key component in helping youth build healthy, fulfilling futures.
John Morley
Treasurer
John Morley has been on the Steering Committee since it began in 2015 and is treasurer of the coalition. John has lived in Easton for 25 years and has 3 children who attended Easton Public Schools. John is the CEO/President of the Bank of Easton and uses his knowledge and experience to help guide the coalition’s budgets and fiscal decisions.
Dottie Fulginiti
Member
Dottie Fulginiti has been on the Steering Committee since it began in 2015. Dottie is chair of the Easton Select Board and has served on the board since 2013. She is the liaison between Wings of Hope and the Town of Easton and brings a local leadership perspective along with her lived experience as a 29 year resident. Dottie and her husband have two adult children that were educated in the Easton Public Schools.
Colleen Less
Member
Colleen Less has been on the Steering Committee since its founding in 2015. At the time, Colleen was the Chair of the Easton School Committee and two of her four children were still students in the Easton Public Schools. Personally, Colleen is very much aware of the devastating effect substance use disorder has on those who are struggling with it, and the effect that struggle has on their loved ones. Coordinating with institutions dedicated to serving the young people of Easton and the community generally to address these issues is a mission she fervently agrees with. An attorney by trade, Colleen works with young people every day as a faculty member at Johnson and Wales University in Providence.
Stephanie Patton
Member
Stephanie Patton has been on the Steering Committee since its founding in 2015. Stephanie holds a Master’s in Public Health and works in the substance misuse prevention field in her role as Prevention Coordinator for the Town of Stoughton. She has lived in Easton since 2007 and has a 6th grader who attends Easton Middle School. As a parent and prevention worker, Stephanie works hard to ensure the youth of local communities remain healthy and thrive.
Vanessa Fossouo
Member
Vanessa Fossouo has been on the Steering Committee since 2022. She has a BS in Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and a Doctorate in Pharmacy from Northeastern University. She is a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist at the VA Boston Healthcare System in Brockton. Vanessa has been a member of Raising Multicultural Kids since inception and has served on the board. She is a parent and resident in Easton.
Marvel
Member
Marvel has been on the Steering Committee since 2023. She is the Chair of the Easton Wings of Hope Youth Coalition and the youth representative on the Steering Committee. She is currently a junior at Oliver Ames High School and is actively involved in a variety of clubs and organizations. Marvel initially joined the coalition in hopes of making a difference in her immediate school community, especially as she began to see the first hand effects of substance misuse within her school environment. Through various opportunities offered by EWOH, Marvel has grown as a leader in substance use prevention and dedicates much of her time to the cause.
Our Team
Our Community Partners
…and many more community members like you!
Our Accomplishments
- Awarded a 2-year, $50,000 grant by the Greater Brockton Health Alliance
- Participated in National Drug Take Back Day events since 2015 with the Easton Police Department
- Awarded a 5-year, $125,000 per year federal Drug Free Communities Grant by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is administered through the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
- Received $25,000 & $30,000 from Senator Walter Timilty and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH), who sponsored an amendment to fund prevention work.
- Partnered with Easton Public Schools to implement Youth Health Surveys at Easton Middle School and Oliver Ames High School in 2017, 2019, and 2021
- Worked with the Easton Board of Health to increase the minimum legal sales age for tobacco products to 21
- Provided essential education surround youth substance use prevention with Hidden in Plain Sight, speakers such as Dr. Ruth Potee, and presentations to Easton community groups
- Established the Easton Wings of Hope Student Coalition through partnership with Easton Public Schools in 2022, with initiatives taking place including sending two school staff and five students to the CADCA National Leadership Forum for prevention training, meeting with legislators to advocate for prevention funding including Senator Ed Markey, Representative Jake Auchincloss, and Senator Walter Timilty, and recruiting fellow peers to engage in prevention activities through social media and campaign messaging.
- Awarded a 4-year, $60,000 per year Sober Truth on Prevention Underage Drinking Act (STOP Act) grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
