The 8th Annual Legislative Breakfast Forum was held at White's Restaurant on October 26, 2007. Fall River and New Bedford Community Health Network Area (CHNA) organizations C.O.A.S.T. and Partners for a Healthier Community, Inc. invited Massachusetts Health and Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby, M.D. to keynote the annual event which drew over 200 people. Community awards were presented to six individuals who have contributed to the overall health of each community, and a special award was given in honor of Brad Sell, a local pastor and humanitarian who exemplified service to others. Mayor Lambert of Fall River spoke on behalf of local government and State Representatives David Sullivan of Fall River and Steve Canessa of New Bedford were in attendance as well as a number of candidates for school committee and city government. Click here to read the Herald News article about the event.
 

Citizens for Citizens Family Planning director Lynda Sampson signs in with Bethany Toure and her assistant. Over two hundred people for the Fall River and New Bedford Area gather at White's Restaurant in Westport for the annual event. State Representative Michael Rodrigues joins Fall River School Superintendent Nicholas Fischer, his wife Karen and Jeanne Santos.


State Representative David Sullivan talks with Family Resource Center director Susan Jenkinson before the program begins.


Diabetes Association Program Director Bill Daponte and Executive Director Ed Garcia talk with Pauline Gousie of FR Council on Aging.
NB Public Health Director Marianne DeSouza and Rep. Steve Canessa talks with New Bedford COAST co-chair Dan Riding.


New Bedford COAST co-chair Tim Velho describes the starfish story as the theme for the event. .


New Bedford COAST co-chair Dan Riding welcomes the audience to the presentations of the community awards.
Partners for a Healthier Community, Inc. chair Billie Jane Valente presents Seth Hockert-Lotz with the first community award.


Ms. Valente of FSA presents Marong Tho with an award for his work with FR youth.


Ms. Valente presents Joseph DaSilva with an award for his work in the FR Housing Authority


COAST Co-chairs Velho and Riding present Martha Gonzalez of GNBHC with her award.


James Merchant describes the work of Brad Sell, an outstanding human service advocate


Rev. Sell is seen in a short video segment working with patients in a NB nursing home.


Fran Fuller of Southcoast Hospitals stands with award recipient Dr.Stuart I. Forman.


COAST Co-chairs Riding and Velho present Harry Henderson with a community award.


Award winner Amy Thurber with children at the Dartmouth YMCA's Sharing the Harvest Project.


FR Health and Human Service Director Michael Coughlin introduces Mayor Lambert.


Mayor Edward M. Lambert, Jr. offers some reflections on his last day in elective office.


Massachusetts Secretary of Human Services JudyAnn Bigby delivers the keynote


The audience responds to her address with a standing ovation.


Former state senator Dave Magnani talks about the new Mass. Non-Profit Network.


United Neighbors director Jenny Diblasi with her community award nominee Marong Tho.


Connie Rocha-Mimoso of 7 Hills HIV/AIDS prevention and Daisy Jorge of Home of Hope.
 

To see pictures of previous Legislative Forums, click here

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

 
 

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